Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
On the criteria below, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Amex
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins on earning ceiling, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1 (1 tie)- First-year math Tie
Both cards land within $25 of each other after the annual fee.
- Annual fee Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is $95 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns more on its best category (6× vs 3×).
- Travel insurance Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $300
- $200
- First-year net
- +$205
- +$200
- Peak earning rate
- 6×
- 3×
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- Choice Category, Grocery
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.