Capital One Quicksilver vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: Which Is Better In 2026?

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees).

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• It offers exceptional rewards on everyday household spending, including at U.S. supermarkets and on select streaming subscriptions.
• Commuters can also benefit from rewards on transit and at U.S. gas stations.
• The card's fixed reward categories make it easy to maximize earnings without the hassle of tracking rotating categories.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Offers high cash back rates on everyday spending categories, including at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• Provides valuable rewards for commuters on transit and at U.S. gas stations.
• Features fixed reward categories for straightforward earning and gives access to exclusive Amex Offers for extra savings.

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Cons

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• An annual fee applies after the introductory period, and the card's highest rewards rate is subject to an annual spending cap.
• The card is not ideal for international travel due to foreign transaction fees, and its acceptance may be limited compared to other card networks.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or Amex Blue Cash Preferred, depends entirely on your spending habits and what you value in a rewards card. Both are strong contenders in the cash back space, but they cater to very different types of users.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: This card is best for those who want straightforward, flat-rate cash back on all their purchases without having to track spending categories.
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card is ideal for cash back seekers who want to maximize their rewards on specific everyday spending categories, such as at U.S. supermarkets and on select streaming services.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards: This card offers flexible redemption options for your cash back, including receiving it as a statement credit or a check.

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Rewards are earned as Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed as a statement credit on your account.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a tool that helps you compare top-rated credit cards by analyzing your personal spending habits to find the best match.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Access a comprehensive card explorer tool that covers nearly 3,000 credit cards for personalized recommendations.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for the practical spender who values simplicity over complex reward structures. It's particularly well-suited for those who want a single card for all their daily purchases, earning a flat 1.5% cash back without the hassle of tracking rotating categories, and for travelers who can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, users who frequently use Uber will benefit from the complimentary Uber One membership, making this no-annual-fee card a straightforward way to earn rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express?

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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent choice for individuals or families whose spending is concentrated on everyday household essentials. This card is particularly valuable for those with significant monthly budgets for U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and commuting costs like gas and transit. Ultimately, it's designed for the calculated spender who can easily maximize the high cash-back rates in these fixed categories, making the annual fee a worthwhile investment for their lifestyle.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other great cash back cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You will generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for a top-tier rewards card.
• Review your spending habits: Ensure the card’s reward structure aligns with your typical purchase categories to maximize value.
• Understand the benefits: Some perks and promotional offers may require enrollment after you are approved.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to more easily meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Look for pre-approval tools: Some issuers, like American Express, let you see your offer with no initial impact to your credit score.
• Understand issuer rules: Be aware of application restrictions, as some issuers limit how many cards you can open or welcome offers you can receive.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the annual fee on the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card worth it?

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Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on your spending habits. If you spend enough at U.S. supermarkets to take full advantage of the 6% cash back rate on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), the rewards can easily offset the fee. Terms Apply.

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What credit score do I need for these cards?

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While issuers don't publish exact credit score requirements, both the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card generally require a good to excellent credit score. This typically means a score of 670 or higher.

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Can I have both the Capital One Quicksilver and the Amex Blue Cash Preferred?

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Yes, you can hold cards from different issuers like Capital One and American Express at the same time. Some users find that having both cards allows them to maximize rewards by using each for different types of purchases.

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