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Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Discover it Cash Back

Claire's comparison  ·  June 2026  ·  Last verified June 2026
Claire's Quick Verdict

Amex Blue Cash Preferred (8.3/10) wins for most people. Discover it Cash Back wins for a specific profile.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Winner
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
8.3
Fee: $95
6% groceries, 6% streaming
Full review →
Runner-Up
Discover it Cash Back
7.6
Fee: $0
5% rotating, 1% base
Full review →

Who Should Choose Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Families spending $250+/month at US supermarkets. Best grocery card. 6% is the highest available. Math works at $250+/month.

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Who Should Choose Discover it Cash Back

First credit card / building credit. Best first card. Year-one Cashback Match doubles every dollar earned.

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Claire's Final Verdict

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 PreferredDiscover it Cash Back
Claire's score8.3/107.6/10
Price
Top strength6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/yearYear-one Cashback Match effectively doubles all earnings
Biggest drawback$95 annual fee from year twoRotating 5% categories require quarterly activation

The case for Amex Blue Cash Preferred

The case for Discover it Cash Back

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.

Read the full breakdowns: Amex Blue Cash Preferred review · Discover it Cash Back review · all rankings.