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Amex Gold Card vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred

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

Amex Gold Card (9.4/10) wins for most people. Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins for a specific profile.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Winner
Amex Gold Card
9.4
Fee: $325
4x dining, 4x groceries
Full review →
Runner-Up
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
8.3
Fee: $95
6% groceries, 6% streaming
Full review →

Who Should Choose Amex Gold Card

Heavy food spenders — $400+/month dining + groceries. Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits.

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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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Claire's Final Verdict

Amex Gold Card is Claire's recommendation for most people reading this comparison. Score: 9.4/10. Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred (8.3/10) is the right choice for a specific situation: families spending $250+/month at us supermarkets. If that describes you, the full review has the complete math.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Amex Gold Card or Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Amex Gold Card (9.4/10) wins for most people. Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits. Amex Blue Cash Preferred is the right choice if: families spending $250+/month at us supermarkets.
What is Claire's score for Amex Gold Card?
Claire rates Amex Gold Card 9.4/10. Verdict: Highest annual value card for food spend. Fee is offset by $340+ in credits.
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.
Who should choose Amex Gold Card?
Heavy food spenders — $400+/month dining + groceries.
Who should choose Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Families spending $250+/month at US supermarkets.
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Head to head, by the numbers

American Express Gold CardAmex Blue Cash Preferred
Claire's score9.4/108.3/10
Price
Top strength4x at restaurants worldwide6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year
Biggest drawback$325 annual fee (requires using credits)$95 annual fee from year two

The case for American Express Gold Card

The case for Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Bottom line

American Express Gold Card takes this one on the numbers (9.4/10 vs 8.3/10). The highest annual value card I've found for anyone who spends heavily on dining and groceries. The math is consistently good.

That said, Amex Blue Cash Preferred isn't a loser — it's a different answer. Best grocery card for families. 6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year is the highest earn rate in the category.

Read the full breakdowns: American Express Gold Card review · Amex Blue Cash Preferred review · all rankings.