Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
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
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo
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; Wells Fargo Active Cash Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if year-one math is your priority; take the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card 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 Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash 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×).
- 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×
- —
- Top categories
- U.S. Supermarkets, Streaming, Transit
- —
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- 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.