Home / Compare / Amex Gold Card vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Amex Gold Card vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Claire's comparison · 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.

Winner
Amex Gold Card
9.4/10
Fee: $325
4x dining, 4x groceries
Full review →
Runner-up
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
8.3/10
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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Head to head, by the numbers

Amex Gold Card Amex 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
•4x at restaurants worldwide
•4x at US supermarkets
•$120 dining credit
•$120 Uber Cash annually
The case for Amex Blue Cash Preferred
•6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000/year
•6% on select streaming services
•3% at US gas stations
•$0 first-year annual fee
Bottom line

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.

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