6 Min Read | Last updated: June 12, 2024
American Express offers three cash back credit cards. Explore each card’s unique benefits, from cash back percentages to welcome offers and more.
At-A-Glance
American Express offers three distinct cash back credit cards so new Card Members can best align cash back and rewards-earning potential to their spending style.
At Amex, cash back is earned in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits, with no redemption minimum.
Whether you’d prefer to earn up to 6% cash back in certain spending categories or would rather pay no annual fee, Amex has a cash back Card for you.
Credit card holders tend to prefer cash back rewards over points or miles, possibly due to how simple – and flexible –cash back credit cardscan be, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.1After all, who wouldn’t want to earn a little money by spending money on everyday purchases?
To meet the demand for cash back, American Express offers these three cash back credit cards, each with its own unique benefits and welcome offers:
- The American Express Cash Magnet®Card.
- The Blue Cash Everyday®Card from American Express.
- The Blue Cash Preferred®Card from American Express.
Here’s what you need to know about American Express’ cash back Cards, from earning points and redeeming Reward Dollars to taking advantage of welcome offers. Terms apply to all benefits for thecredit cardslisted below and all offers listed are subject to change.
How Does American Express Cash Back Work?
Cash back is a credit card rewards benefit that lets you earn back a small percentage of each eligible purchase made with the Card, often redeemed as a statement credit. The amount of cash back you earn typically ranges anywhere from 1%–3% of the transaction. But some cards, likeBlue Cash Preferred, offer up to 6% cash back on certain spending categories. Cash back is earned in the form of Reward Dollars, which accumulate until you decide to redeem some or all of them.
American Express’ Three Cash Back Credit Cards
To earn Reward Dollars from American Express, you’ll want to choose one of the three American Express cash back credit cards that’s the right match for your spending style.
Blue Cash Everydayis a tiered cash back Card that offers benefits in specific spending categories like supermarkets and gas stations, with no annual fee.2As for cash back earning rates, Blue Cash Everyday will get you:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in yearly purchases (then 1%).
- 3% cash back at U.S. online retailers, on up to $6,000 in yearly purchases (then 1%).
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 in yearly purchases (then 1%).
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Beyond cash back, Blue Cash Everyday Card Members can also get:
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit:Get a $7 monthly statement credit (up to $84 back annually) after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $9.99 or more each month on a subscription (subject to auto-renewal) to the Disney Bundle. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.2
- $180 Home Chef Credit:Get up to $15 in statement credits monthly for online purchases made with meal kit delivery service, Home Chef, on your Blue Cash Everyday Card (up to $180 in statement credits annually). Enrollment required. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Subscription subject to auto-renewal.2
Blue Cash Preferredoffers even more cash back rewards in certain spending categories. For example, let’s say you want to supercharge the rewards you get from supermarket and gas expenses – all while getting cash back for your streaming service subscriptions. This could be the right card for you. As for cash back percentages, Blue Cash Preferred offers:
- 6%cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year.
- 6%cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3%cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% cash back on transit, including tolls, parking, trains, buses, and more.4
The Cash Magnet Cardis a straightforward Card with unlimited cash back benefits on all purchases – and no annual fee.5With Cash Magnet, you can earn a $200 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases on the Card during the first six months of Card Membership, in the form of a statement credit. For cash back, Cash Magnet offers:
- 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases, with no spending limit.
If you’re a shopper who prefers simplicity when it comes to earning rewards – and tend to make regular purchases in a variety of spending categories – this Card might be right for you.
How to Redeem American Express Cash Back Rewards
To redeem Reward Dollars:
- Log into your American Express account and click “Use Reward Dollars.”
- Enter the amount of Reward Dollars you’d like to use as a credit toward your next statement balance and the credit will usually appear within three days.
- Note that the statement credit will not apply to the “minimum payment due” portion of your balance.
You can also use cash back* when shopping at Amazon.com:
- Go to www.amazon.com/amexcashback to complete your registration.
- Follow the instructions to link your Card Account to your Amazon.com account.
- Shop now and use cash back* at checkout to cover all or part of your purchases at Amazon.com.
- *Note that cash back refers to Reward Dollars earned on your Card.
And remember: As long as your Card’s account is in good standing – i.e., not canceled or past due – your Reward Dollars will never expire. They’ll be ready to redeem whenever you are.
The Takeaway
Cash back credit cards offer a way to earn cash rewards for everyday purchases you’d likely be making anyway – it’s like getting a small rebate for every eligible purchase you make. American Express offers three cash back credit cards, each with its own unique benefits and offers to match your spending preferences – whether you’re buying groceries for a large family, spending on gas for a long commute, or using online streaming services.
1 The Consumer Credit Card Market, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
2 For more on Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
3 For more on Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
4 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
5 For more on Rates and Fees for the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, click here.
Megan Doyleis abusiness technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
All Credit Intelcontent is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
Related Articles
What Is Cash Back and How Does it Work?
Cash back credit cards have become so popular that there are many to choose from. Learning how they work can help you find the options that are right for you.
Tell me more
Types of Credit Cards: Understanding the Differences
Learn more about the different credit card types and categories out there, such as: travel, balance transfer, rewards, business, and more.
Tell me more
Earning Rewards and Cash Back While Shopping Online
Web and smartphone apps can earn you shopping rewards and cash back when you spend online, in addition to your credit card rewards. Here’s a look at this growing trend.
Tell me more
The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.
