SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express

The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express stands out as one of Canada’s leading flat-rate cash back credit cards, combining simplicity with exceptional value. It offers an impressive 2% cash back on all purchases, with no caps or rotating categories, and an attractive welcome rate of 10% cash back on the first $4000 spent in the first six months. Cardholders also enjoy comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, including up to $100,000 in travel accident coverage and extended warranty protection.

Unlike many rewards cards, the SimplyCash Preferred keeps things effortless — your cash back automatically accumulates and can be redeemed annually as a statement credit, with no points to manage. Add to that the exclusive Amex Offers, access to Front of the Line® entertainment perks, and the trusted customer service of American Express, and you’ve got a card that rewards everyday spending while keeping life refreshingly simple.

Top Features of the SimplyCash Preferred Card

• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases — no limit to how much you can earn
• 4% cash back on gas and grocery purchases (up to $1,200 in combined spend annually)
• Welcome bonus: earn 10% cash back on all eligible purchases for the first 4 months, up to $400 in rewards
• Redeem cash back once a year as a statement credit (automatically)
• Front Of The Line® presale access to concerts, events, and more
• Annual fee: $119.88, billed at $9.99/month.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Clear, simple rewards: 4% on gas and groceries; 2% on everything else
• Monthly fee avoids annual prepayment
• Solid travel and phone insurance
• Access to Amex Experiences and pre-sale ticketing

Cons

• Merchant acceptance for American Express is better than in the past but still not universal (notably Loblaws and Costco do not accept Amex)

• Earn rates are beaten by other cards on key categories, especially food and dining

• 4% grocery rate drops to 2% after $30,000 per year

• Limited premium travel perks compared with higher tier Amex products;

How It Compares to a Better Everyday Option

For day-to-day spending, one card clearly outperforms the SimplyCash Preferred: the American Express Cobalt Card. The Cobalt Card focuses on food and drink and returns much higher value in those categories.

Why the Cobalt often beats SimplyCash Preferred

• Higher earn rates where it matters: the Cobalt earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on food and drink (groceries, restaurants, bars, cafes and food delivery), 3 points per dollar on streaming, 2 points per dollar on eligible transit, gas and travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
• Points value multiplies impact: Membership Rewards points can be worth roughly 2 to 3 cents each when redeemed strategically. That means 5 points per dollar translates to about 10% to 15% value back on food and drink purchases.
• Welcome structure: the Cobalt gives 1,250 points each month for spending $750 on the card during the first 12 months, up to 15,000 points total. At 2 to 3 cents per point that equals roughly $300 to $450 in value for normal monthly spending.
• More robust Amex benefits: wide-ranging insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, front-of-the-line access, Amex Experiences, Amex Offers, and the Hotel Collection with $100 hotel credits when applicable.

Example calculation

If a cardholder spends $750 per month on food and drink and uses the Cobalt Card, they would earn 3,750 points from that spend each month, plus the 1,250 point monthly welcome bonus (during the first year) for a total of 5,000 points that month. At 2 to 3 cents per point, that represents $100 to $150 in value back for a single month of ordinary food spending.

Why Choose the SimplyCash Preferred Card from Amex?

With a market-leading flat-rate cash back and premium protection, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is designed for Canadians who want powerful rewards with zero complexity. You’ll earn 2% unlimited cash back on every purchase, plus an outstanding 10% welcome cash back rate on up to $4,000 spent in the first six months — one of the best introductory offers in Canada.

From groceries and gas to streaming subscriptions and travel bookings, every dollar you spend earns real cash back automatically credited to your account each year. The card also includes comprehensive insurance coverage, such as travel accident insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection, giving you peace of mind on the go.

Add to that exclusive Amex Offers, access to Front of the Line® entertainment events, and world-class customer support, and you’ve got a cash back card that makes everyday spending more rewarding — and refreshingly simple.

Apply for the SimplyCash Preferred Card Today

Join thousands of Canadians who have simplified the way they earn rewards. With the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express, you get the freedom to spend without tracking categories, the confidence of world-class security, and the convenience of managing everything through the Amex app.

Enjoy fast approval, digital card access right after you’re approved, and seamless integration with mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Plus, with Amex’s strong fraud protection and 24/7 customer support, you can focus on what matters — using a card that works as hard as you do.

Apply today and experience how simple, safe, and rewarding everyday spending can be.