Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
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
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
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 first-year math, earning ceiling, and travel insurance; Discover it Student Cash Back wins on annual fee and foreign transactions.
Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Discover it Student Cash Back if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 2- 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 Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back 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×).
- Travel insurance Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back 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×
- 5×
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- None
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.