Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card
On the criteria below, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 4 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Amex
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Citi
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins 4 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; Citi Diamond Preferred Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Citi Diamond Preferred Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
4 vs 1- First-year math Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Citi Diamond Preferred 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 0×).
- 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
- —
- First-year net
- +$205
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 6×
- —
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- —
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- —
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.