What credit score do you need for the American Express Blue Cash Preferred?
Editor's Note
If you're looking for a great cash-back credit card to help you rack up rewards on everyday spending purchases, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
This card earns an impressive 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending each calendar year; then 1% cash back) and select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on everything else. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
It also features a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter (see rates and fees).
If the Blue Cash Preferred card sounds like a good fit for you, here's what you should know about the ideal credit score needed to increase your chances of being approved once you apply.
Credit score required for the Blue Cash Preferred
No specific credit score is required to be approved for the Blue Cash Preferred. Like other issuers, Amex considers several factors to make an approval decision. So, having a certain credit score won't automatically mean you'll be approved for the card.
Amex recommends having "good to excellent" credit to apply for the card, which means you should aim for at least a 670 score. However, we recommend a 700+ credit score for increased chances of getting approved.
The Blue Cash Preferred is a mid-tier card, which means you'll typically have an easier time applying for it than premium travel cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
Related: What is a good credit score?
How to check your credit score
American Express actually offers a way for you to check your credit score (even if you aren't already a cardmember) called MyCredit Guide, which gives you access to your Vantage 3.0 score. Upon creating an account or logging in, you'll be able to see your credit score on an easy-to-read scale.
You'll also be able to see how your credit score measures up, a summary of which Amex cards you're most likely to be approved for, a credit summary that gives you a status update on your late payments, opened accounts, current balances and other factors that contribute to your credit score.
There are also a number of ways you can check your credit score with other issuers and third-party services.
Related: How to check your credit score
What other factors go into a credit card approval?
While your credit score is an important factor that issuers look at when determining whether or not you are approved for a credit card, it's not the only thing they look at. Credit card issuers don't share a full list of factors or how heavily each factor weighs on an approval, but here are a few of the general things credit issuers will look at:
- Payment history: This plays into your credit score, too, but issuers will also take your credit history into account separately when looking at an application. Paying your bills on time and in full is a signal to credit card issuers that you are a low-risk lender, which increases your chances of being approved.
- Income: You likely had to list your annual income on your application. Creditors use this to help ensure that you are earning enough money to pay off a credit card bill each month. It also plays a role in determining your credit limit.
- Number of accounts open: Many issuers limit the number of credit cards you can have open or at least limit the overall credit they will extend to you across accounts. Make sure you know the application restrictions of each credit card issuer before you apply for a card.
This certainly isn't an exhaustive list of factors — some issuers take into account existing customer relationships and more when considering whether to approve you for a new card.
Keep in mind that the requirements issuers look for frequently change depending on the economy and other external factors that you may have no control over.
Bottom line
If you've determined that the Amex Blue Cash Preferred will be a good addition to your wallet and you've got a good to excellent credit score, you probably have good odds of getting approved. This isn't to say that you absolutely have to have a 670 credit score for approval nor is it a guarantee that those with 700+ scores will be eligible for the card.
However, it does give you a better picture of your approval odds based on your current credit score and history. If you fall at the lower end of this range, there are a few things you can do to help improve your score before applying.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply here: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.