Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Sam's Club Mastercard
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
Sam's Club Mastercard
Synchrony
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; Sam's Club Mastercard 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 Sam's Club Mastercard 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 Sam's Club Mastercard
Sam's Club Mastercard 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 Sam's Club Mastercard
Sam's Club Mastercard has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $300
- $30
- First-year net
- +$205
- +$30
- Peak earning rate
- 6×
- 5×
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- Gas Ev Charging, Dining, Sams Club Purchases
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.70%
- None
- Reward currency
- Cashback
- Sam's Cash
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.