Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Chase Freedom Flex
On the criteria below, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 2 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Amex
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 2 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins on earning ceiling and foreign transactions; Chase Freedom Flex wins on annual fee.
Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Chase Freedom Flex if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
2 vs 1 (1 tie)- First-year math Tie
Both cards land within $25 of each other after the annual fee.
- Annual fee Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Flex 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 5×).
- 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×
- 5×
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- Rotating Quarterly, Chase Travel, Dining
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.