Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Annual fees: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express $95/yr, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card $0/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express on streaming, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card on telecom.
Card data as of November 13, 2026.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressAmerican Express · $95/yr
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardU.S. Bank · No annual fee
Overview
- Annual fee
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express$95Waived first yearU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card$0Lowest
- Welcome offerCurrent public offer
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express$250 cash backU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card$200 cash back
- Rewards
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressCash backU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardCash back
- Foreign transaction fee
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express2.7%LowestU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card3%
- Network
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressAmerican ExpressU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardVisa Signature
Earn ratesPer $1 spent
- Grocery Stores
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express6%HighestU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card2%
- Streaming
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express6%HighestU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%
- Cable TV
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Department Stores
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Electronics
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Fast Food
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Fitness
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Movie Theaters
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Sporting Goods
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Telecom
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Transit
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express3%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Utilities
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card5%Highest
- Gas Stations
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express3%HighestU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card2%
- Ridesharing
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express3%HighestU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card1%
- Dining
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card2%Highest
- Everything else
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express1%U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card1%
Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record
- Entertainment & streaming
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- $10 monthly Disney Bundle credit available · $10 monthly
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented
Perks & access— means none on record
- Hotel status & programs
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- Amex Travel Best Price Guarantee for hotels
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented - Other perks
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- Amex Offers
- Early access to concerts and events
- Global Assist Hotline available 24/7 worldwide
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented
Protections & insuranceLimits where published · — means none on record
- Rental car
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- Hertz Car Rental Benefits with upgrades
- $50,000 car rental loss and damage insurance
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented - Purchase & returns
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- $1,000 purchase protection for eligible items
- $300 return protection per eligible item
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented - Extended warranty
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- Extended Warranty up to one year
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented - Other protections
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- Zero liability protection on fraudulent charges
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNot yet documented
Pros & cons
- Pros
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
- $120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card- 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (from 12+ options)
- 2% on one everyday category (dining, gas, or grocery)
- No annual fee
- Visa Signature benefits
- $200 welcome bonus
- Cons
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- $95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
- 6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
- Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
- 1% back on non-category purchases is below average
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card- Must select 5% categories each quarter (defaults to 1% if forgotten)
- $2,000 combined quarterly cap on 5% categories
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Base rate only 1% on non-category spend
Category-by-Category Winner
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins in 3 of 3 categories. The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card leads in 0. 13 more categories depend on booking channel or caps.
Streaming
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 5X
Transit
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if ground transportation is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X (3X without restrictions)
Gas Stations
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X when conditions are met; U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 2X (1X without restrictions)
Ridesharing
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Telecom
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if cell phone providers is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Cable TV
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if TV, internet and streaming is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Movie Theaters
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if movie theaters is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Fitness
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if gyms/fitness centers is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Department Stores
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if department stores is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Electronics
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if electronics stores is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Travel
Depends: via issuer travel portal
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Sporting Goods
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if sporting goods stores is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Fast Food
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if fast food is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Utilities
Depends: up to $2,000/quarter; 5% applies only if home utilities is one of the two 5% categories you choose each quarter; the $2,000 quarterly limit is combined across both chosen categories.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Dining
Depends: 2% applies only if restaurants is the one everyday category you choose each quarter.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 2X when conditions are met; Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Year One vs Ongoing Value
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
The better card depends on how much you spend.
| Scenario | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $144 Credits (our usable estimate): $24 − Annual fee ($95) Ongoing: $73 Year one: $418 | Rewards: $120 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $120 Year one: $320 | U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $576 Credits (our usable estimate): $24 − Annual fee ($95) Ongoing: $505 Year one: $850 | Rewards: $480 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $480 Year one: $680 | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express |
Is the Fee Difference Worth It?
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr — that's $95 more than the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $95 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $95 fee gap means the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express needs roughly $95 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on streaming and grocery stores and everyday spend.
Which Card Is Right for You?
Get the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card if you:
- +Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
The Bottom Line
The better card depends on how much you spend.
Published annual fees: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express $95/yr, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card $0/yr — a $95 difference before welcome offers and credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?
- The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. Compare the year-one vs ongoing value table on this page — the $95 gap must be offset by higher earn rates, welcome offers, or credits you will use.
- Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card?
- Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
- Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card?
- Use the spend scenarios on this page: the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has a lower $0/yr fee; the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express must earn enough extra (or offer a larger welcome bonus) to justify $95/yr.
Related Comparisons
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published November 13, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.