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The SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express earns a flat, easy-to-track cash back rate: 4% on gas and groceries, 2% on everything else, with no annual limit on the 2% tier. The card charges $9.99 a month for most residents ($119.88 a year), or a flat $119 a year in Quebec.
The pitch is simplicity. There are only three earn rates, no rotating categories, and no complicated points conversion — cash back is applied directly as a credit to your account.
New cardmembers also get a two-part welcome offer: 10% bonus cash back on purchases in the first three months (up to $2,000 in spending), plus a $50 statement credit for a purchase in month 13. Amex values the combined offer at up to $250.
Who This Card Makes Sense For
This card is a good fit if you:
- Spend steadily on gas and groceries and want a simple, flat cash back rate rather than rotating categories
- Want cash back applied automatically as an account credit, with no manual redemption
- Can use the welcome offer’s $2,000 spending window in the first three months
- Want free additional cards for family members
It’s a weaker fit if you:
- Spend more than $1,200 a year on groceries and want the 4% rate uncapped there too
- Don’t have a Canadian credit file, since that’s a hard eligibility requirement
- Would rather have travel points or a no-fee card, since this one carries a monthly charge
Eligibility and Documents Needed
Amex keeps the stated requirements short: you need to be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file, and you need to have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence.
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Amex offers an eligibility check before you formally apply, and it says this check has no impact on your credit score. Beyond the two stated requirements, the card page doesn’t break out a separate documents checklist — expect the standard identity, contact, and income details most applications ask for.
How to Apply
You apply online directly through the Amex card page. Amex advertises an instant decision with no impact to your credit score for the initial eligibility check. A specific card delivery timeline isn’t published, but standard mailing after approval typically takes a week or two.
Fees and Conditions
The numbers that matter most:
- Card fee: $9.99/month ($119.88/year) for non-Quebec residents; $119/year for Quebec residents
- Additional cardholder fee: $0
- Purchase interest rate: 21.99%
- Cash advance rate: 21.99%
Amex notes that missed payments can push the applicable rate to 25.99% or 29.99%, so staying current on payments matters more here than on cards with a lower base rate to begin with.
Cash back breaks down into three tiers:
- 4% on eligible gas station purchases in Canada
- 4% on eligible grocery purchases in Canada, up to $1,200 in cash back annually
- 2% on all other eligible purchases, with no cap
The grocery cap works out to $30,000 in annual grocery spending before the rate effectively drops to the 2% tier for the rest of the year. Most households won’t hit that ceiling, so in practice the 4% rate covers the bulk of grocery spending for most cardholders.
With a $119.88 annual fee outside Quebec, the card pays for itself once your combined gas and grocery spending generates roughly $60 in additional cash back compared to a flat 2% card — a bar that’s easy to clear for most households that drive regularly and buy their own groceries.
Beyond cash back, the card includes a mix of everyday protections:
- Mobile device insurance up to $1,000
- Out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance (under age 65)
- Flight delay and baggage delay insurance
- $100,000 travel accident insurance
- Car rental theft and damage insurance
- Purchase Protection and Buyer’s Assurance extended warranty coverage
The card also includes Amex’s Plan It installment program, which lets you split larger purchases into fixed monthly payments for a set fee instead of ongoing interest, and a referral program that can add up to $750 in cash back a year for successful referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on the 2% cash back rate?
No. The 2% rate on all other purchases has no annual limit. Only the 4% grocery rate is capped, at $1,200 in cash back per year.
How much is the welcome offer worth?
Amex advertises up to $250 in combined value: up to $200 in bonus cash back from 10% back on your first $2,000 in purchases within three months, plus a $50 statement credit for a purchase made in month 13.
Is there a fee for additional cardholders?
No. Amex doesn’t charge an annual fee for additional cards, and their purchases count toward your account’s cash back.
Does checking eligibility affect my credit score?
No. Amex says its eligibility check gives an instant decision with no impact on your credit score before you commit to a full application.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Amex states that missed payments can raise your applicable interest rate to 25.99% or 29.99%, higher than the standard 21.99% rate on purchases and cash advances.
