The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® aren’t usually two cards we’d think to compare; however, thanks to a redesigned rewards structure from Chase, these two cards now compete well for certain credit card users. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Each card has its own strengths when it comes to earning rewards. To find your ideal match, we’ve compared their features, fees, and redemption options to help you decide which one belongs in your wallet.
Blue Cash Preferred® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® Comparison
Annual Fee
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New Cardholder Bonus Offer
Apply and find out your welcome offer. As high as signup_reward cash back after you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card to get started. Once you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount within the first six months, you will receive your cash back in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.
Earn a signup_reward bonus after you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Rewards
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases; and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service; and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Redeeming Rewards
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
There is no minimum for redemption. Rewards can be redeemed for cash back as a statement credit, gift cards, travel through Chase Travel, Amazon purchases, and Apple Ultimate Rewards® Store purchases.
Intro 0% Apr
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for intro_apr_duration from the date of account opening, then RegAPR
Enjoy 0% intro APR for the first intro_apr_duration on new purchases and balance transfers, then RegAPR
Foreign Transaction Fees
foreign_fee in U.S. dollars
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Travel Protection
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Global Assist® Hotline can help you prepare for your trip with customs information and more, and while you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home, coordination and assistance services such as lost passport replacement assistance, translation services, missing luggage assistance, and emergency legal and medical referrals are just a phone call away.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Roadside dispatch
Purchase Protection
- Your purchases are covered against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days. Coverage is capped at $1,000 per item and $50,000 per account each calendar year.
- If there is a fraudulent or incorrect charge on your statement, American Express will work with you to help resolve the issue.
- Zero liability protection
- Extended warranty protection
- Purchase protection for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per year
Account Protection
- Dispute resolution
- 24/7 access to a customer service specialist
- Embedded chip technology
- Fraud alerts
- Fraud protection
- Paperless statements
Rewards earning rates
These cards are similar in that they both earn cash back in tiered rewards categories, but the categories aren’t the same, nor are many of the other card features. One is a powerhouse for families and commuters, while the other is a versatile “everything else” card with a boost for dining and travel.
Here is the breakdown of how they earn:
Blue Cash Preferred® Card rewards
Best for: High-volume grocery shoppers and daily commuters.
- 6% cash back: At U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 6% cash back: On select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back: At U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses)
- 1% cash back: On all other eligible purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited® rewards
Best for: Travelers, diners, and those who want a higher floor for miscellaneous spending.
- 5% cash back: On travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back: On dining (including restaurants, takeout, and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
- 1.5% cash back: On all other purchases, making it a stronger choice for spending that doesn’t fall into specific categories
➤ SEE MORE:Chase Freedom Unlimited®review
New cardholder welcome bonus offer
Welcome bonus offers aren’t always a guarantee, but both cards currently offer competitive rewards for new cardholders who meet specific spending requirements within their first few months.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® welcome offer
- The welcome offer: Earn a signup_reward bonus.
- The requirement: Spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- The takeaway: This is a very accessible bonus with a low spending threshold, making it easy to hit with everyday expenses.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card welcome offer
- The offer: As high as signup_reward cash back.
- The requirement: Spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- The takeaway: While the spending requirement is higher, the six-month window provides a longer runway to earn a larger reward.
- Note: Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.
➤ SEE MORE:Blue Cash Preferred® Card review
Intro 0% APR period
Another thing these cards have in common is that both offer an intro 0% APR period on new purchases and balance transfers. However, one gives you a slightly longer window to pay down your balance.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Offers a 0% intro APR for the first intro_apr_duration on new purchases and balance transfers, then RegAPR.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for intro_apr_duration from the date of account opening, then RegAPR. See Rates and Fees
Editor’s advice
This perk is invaluable for large upcoming purchases. Just ensure you have a plan to clear the balance before the promotional window expires to avoid interest charges on the remaining statement.
Annual fees
The choice here often comes down to whether your spending habits justify an investment in a card with a fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® annual fee
- Annual fee: $0
- Best for: Cardholders who want a low-maintenance, “set it and forget it” card without the pressure of needing to offset a yearly cost.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card annual fee
- Annual Fee: AnnualFees See Rates and Fees
- Best for: High-volume grocery shoppers
Is the annual fee worth it? If you spend roughly $132 per month at U.S. supermarkets, the 6% cash back you earn (up to $6,000 spent) will completely cover the annual fee. Since most households spend significantly more than that on groceries, the math usually favors the Blue Cash Preferred® for families.
See Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
