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Blue Cash Preferred® Annual Fee Waived: Can You Avoid the $95 Fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a $95 annual fee. If you're searching for a way to have the annual fee waived, it's important to understand the difference between the card's introductory $0 fee and a permanent annual-fee waiver.

Affiliate Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review and recommend. If you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened, we may earn a commission. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are our own.


Is the Blue Cash Preferred Annual Fee Waived?

The Blue Cash Preferred currently has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year. After the first year, the regular annual fee is $95.

The $0 fee during the first year is part of the card's introductory terms. It should not be interpreted as a permanent waiver of the $95 annual fee.


Is the First-Year Annual Fee Really $0?

Yes. New Blue Cash Preferred Card Members receive a $0 introductory annual fee during the first year. This means there is no $95 annual fee charged during that introductory period under the terms of the current offer.

After the introductory year ends, the regular $95 annual fee applies.


Can You Get the $95 Annual Fee Waived After the First Year?

The standard Blue Cash Preferred terms provide for a $95 annual fee after the first year. The introductory $0 annual fee does not continue into subsequent years as a general annual-fee waiver.

If you're considering the card because you can use its rewards and benefits to offset the $95 cost, see our complete guide: Blue Cash Preferred Annual Fee: $0 First Year, Then $95


How Can You Avoid Paying the Annual Fee?

The simplest way to avoid the annual fee during the introductory period is to take advantage of the card's $0 first-year annual fee. Once that period ends, however, the $95 annual fee becomes part of the ongoing cost of the Card.

If you decide that the card's benefits are no longer worth the annual fee after the first year, you can review your account options and decide whether keeping the Card continues to make sense for you.


Can the Welcome Offer Offset the Annual Fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred may offer eligible applicants as much as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Because the annual fee is $0 during the first year, an eligible welcome offer can provide additional first-year value before the regular $95 annual fee begins.

For more information about how the current welcome offer works, see: Blue Cash Preferred $300 Welcome Offer


Blue Cash Preferred Annual Fee Waived: Bottom Line

The Blue Cash Preferred does not have a permanent annual-fee waiver. Instead, the current terms provide a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $95 annual fee.

If you're looking for a Blue Cash Preferred annual fee waiver, the important distinction is that the first-year $0 fee is an introductory benefit rather than a permanent waiver. After the first year, the regular $95 annual fee applies.

Apply for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express to see the current offer and terms available to you.


About the Author

My name is Paul Basco, and I’ve spent years working in affiliate marketing and analyzing the credit card industry. During that time, I’ve reviewed hundreds of credit card offers, tracked how these cards actually affect people over time—including how fees, usage habits, and timing decisions impact long-term credit outcomes.

This site is built on real-world experience—not theory—with a focus on helping people avoid costly mistakes and make informed financial decisions that benefit them long-term.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

  • Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
  • Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
  • Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • Terms Apply.
  • CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

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