Amex Blue Cash Preferred is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 8.3/10. Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month.
Discover it Cash Back (7.6/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: first credit card / building credit. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Amex Blue Cash Preferred or Discover it Cash Back?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred (8.3/10) wins for most people. Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month. Discover it Cash Back is the right choice if: first credit card / building credit.
What is Claire's score for Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Claire rates Amex Blue Cash Preferred 8.3/10. Verdict: Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month.
What is Claire's score for Discover it Cash Back?
Claire rates Discover it Cash Back 7.6/10. Verdict: Best first card. Year-one Cashback Match doubles every dollar earned.
Who should choose Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Families spending $250+/month at US supermarkets.
Who should choose Discover it Cash Back?
First credit card / building credit.
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Head to head, by the numbers
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Discover it Cash Back
Claire's score
8.3/10
7.6/10
Price
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—
Top strength
6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
Year-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
No annual fee
Free FICO score monitoring
Good approval odds for limited credit history
Bottom line
Amex Blue Cash Preferred takes this one on the numbers (8.3/10 vs 7.6/10). Best grocery card for families. 6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year is the highest earn rate in the category.
That said, Discover it Cash Back isn't a loser — it's a different answer. The best first credit card. The first-year Cashback Match makes it uniquely valuable for new cardholders building credit.