Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Citi Double Cash
Amex Blue Cash Preferred edges Citi Double Cash on year-1 math ($79 more value at 1.8¢/pt).
Quick verdict
Amex Blue Cash Preferred edges Citi Double Cash on year-1 math ($79 more value at 1.8¢/pt)
Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $84 recurring credits + $450 welcome bonus − $95 AF = $439 net. Citi Double Cash: $0 recurring credits + $360 welcome bonus − $0 AF = $360 net. These are year-1 numbers (welcome bonus included) at a 1.8¢/pt rewards valuation. The /tools/annual-fee-breakeven calculator runs the year-2-onward math without the bonus.
Side-by-side specs
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred | Citi Double Cash | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
| Welcome bonus | 25,000 pts after $3,000 in 6mo | 20,000 pts after $1,500 in 6mo |
| Welcome bonus value @ 1.8¢ | $450 | $360 |
| Free-night cert | — | — |
| Recurring credits / year | $84 | $0 |
| Year-1 net @ 1.8¢ | $439 | $360 |
Year-1 net assumes the welcome bonus values at 1.8¢/pt. For year-2-onward math, use the Annual Fee Break-even Calculator.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
1 recurring credit
- Disney Bundle Credit$7 · Monthly
Citi Double Cash
0 recurring credits
No recurring credits listed in our catalog for this card.
Pick Amex Blue Cash Preferred if
the recurring credits stack is richer ($84 vs $0).
Pick Citi Double Cash if
the AF is meaningfully lower ($0 vs $95).