Update 5/9/19: These changes are now live.
Small correction/additional information: 3% cash back on department stores will not be removed until July 31st, 2019.
American Express has announced that on May 9th the Blue Cash Preferred will refresh and two new categories will be added, these categories are:
- 6% cash back on 20 U.S. streaming services including Amazon Prime, YouTube, Netflix, HBO, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Kindle Unlimited & Audible
- 3% cash back on transit purchases including parking, tolls, train services and rideshare services (including Lyft & Uber)
The card will stop earning 3% cash back on purchases made at department stores on July 31st, 2019. The other card features will remain the same including:
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 in purchases (after you hit this cap you earn 1% cash back)
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% back on all other purchases
- $95 annual fee
Spend on the U.S. streaming services does not count towards the $6,000 cap currently in place on U.S. supermarkets and is instead uncapped. The public sign up bonus on the card will also be increased to $250 after $1,000 in spend within the first 90 days. It’s unclear if any changes will be made to the standard Blue Cash Everyday card that comes with no annual fee or not. Overall it’s nice to see these additions and for most people they will far outweigh the 3% on department stores, although I do know of some people that were taking advantage of that particular category.
