Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 2023 Review
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 2023 Review

Cash back on everyday purchases, with rewards weighted towards groceries, gas, and online purchases. Is it the right card for your needs?
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday

Rewards Plan

1-3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%

Welcome Bonus

$200 $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months

Credit Rating

Good – Excellent Credit

Intro APR

15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% – 29.99% Variable
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Rewards Plan

1-3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%

Welcome Bonus

$200 $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months

Intro APR

15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening

PROS

CONS

APR

19.24% - 29.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$0

Balance Transfer Fee

3% or $5, whichever is greater

Credit Requirements

Good – Excellent

As the name suggests, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is a great everyday credit card. It has a tiered reward structure that allows you to earn cash back on practically any purchase, with rewards weighted towards groceries, gas, and online purchases.

The card also has no annual fee (See rates & fees) and a welcome bonus with modest spending requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are not particularly high spenders, but who want to earn decent rewards.

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good option if you’re carrying a credit card balance or planning a large purchase, as there is 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening (After that, 19.24% - 29.99% Variable variable APR). This will allow you to cover the cost or pay down the balance without paying any interest.

While the Blue Cash Everyday may not offer the high rewards of its sibling card the Blue Cash Preferred, you won’t need to pay an annual fee, making it a little more user friendly for those who are not confident that they will spend sufficient amounts to earn enough rewards to make the fee worthwhile.

  • Cash Back Welcome Bonus
  • Disney Bundle
  • Car Rental Coverage
  • Global Assist Helpline
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Home Chef Credit
  • Purchase Protection
  • American Express Experiences
  • High Credit Requirements
  • Spending Caps
  • Not Great for Travelers
  • Balance Transfer Limitations

Can I add an authorized user?

Yes. You can add authorized users to your account and request additional cards. Your authorized users need to be aged 13 or older and have never had a default American Express account.

You can add authorized users to your account using the online dashboard or by calling the customer support line.

Can I get pre-approved on the Blue Cash Everyday card?

Although there is an option to check for  pre approval offers on the main application form. The American Express website also has a separate login for those who are responding to mailers.

This will allow you to confirm if you qualify for pre approval without requiring a hard credit pull

Does American Express ask for proof of income?

In most cases, American Express will not ask for proof of income. However, in some circumstances, American Express may need to confirm your income level and whether you can meet your current and future financial obligations.

If this is necessary, you should receive an email with instructions of what is required, such as copies of pay stubs, and how you can submit them to support your application.

How's American Express digital experience?

Yes, American Express has an excellent app and a superb website that provide a great digital experience. Whether you want to manage your account on the go or have a query, the layout of both platforms is intuitive and clean, providing an excellent user experience.

Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

In this Review..

Benefits

In addition to its rewards, the Blue Cash Everyday Card has a number of other benefits. These include (terms apply): 

American Express Blue Cash Everyday offers a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

The Blue Cash Everyday card offers $7 back each month if you spend $12.99 or more per month on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription using your card. This includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.

If you use your Blue Cash Everyday card to reserve and pay for your rental car,. You’ll be covered for theft of or damage to a rental vehicle coverage. This is secondary coverage, but you can decline the potentially costly collision waiver damage at the rental cover counter with confidence.

American Express cardholders can access a 24/7 Global Assist hotline. This can provide help with assistance and coordination services if you’re more than 100 miles from home. The helpline can even provide help to prepare for your trip with customs details and information and more.

Cardholders are eligible for 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.

You can receive up to $15 in statement credit per month if you purchase Home Chef online using your enrolled card. Home Chef meal solutions aim to make cooking at home more enjoyable. This can be a great alternative to eating out, and you get the bonus of statement credit on your purchase.

When you pay for covered purchases using your eligible card, you can enjoy purchase protection. This provides up to 90 days of accidental damage and theft coverage for your new items.

This service provides exclusive access to card member only events and ticket presales. If you enjoy shows, tours, sporting events, family events and more, this is a great resource.

Drawbacks

Of course, as with any financial product, there are potential drawbacks to the Blue Cash Everyday. These include:

You will need a good to excellent credit rating to qualify for this card. Considering the rewards on offer, there are other cards with a similar credit requirement that could represent better reward potential.

The higher reward tiers and bonus reward categories do have some spending caps. So, this will limit the rewards you can earn per year.

American Express has less acceptance internationally compared to Mastercard and Visa. Additionally, there is a 2.7% fee for international purchases

You can only request balance transfers within 60 days of opening your account. Additionally, you can only make two balance transfer requests, but each request can include up to four accounts in your name. This means that you’ll need to think carefully before you initiate a balance transfer request.

Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?

The best way to see if Blue Cash Everyday is the right choice for your needs is to calculate the number of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn. 

Remember that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your consumer preferences and spending habits.

Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday
Spend Per Category
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$270
$5,000 – Restaurants
$50
$2,000 – Airline
$20
$2,000 – Hotels
$20
$4,000 – Gas
$40
Estimated Annual Value
$400

How to Maximize Your Blue Cash Everyday Card?

Since this card is designed for everyday purchases, you shouldn’t need to radically change your spending habits to maximize your card benefits.

However, there are few simple things that you can do to make the most of your card. These include:

  • Sign Up for a Disney Bundle: You’ll get statement credit to offset the cost of your subscription when you pay for it with your card. So, if you’re not already subscribed, sign up, but if you are, make sure you change your payment method to your new Blue Cash Everyday card.
  • Sign Up for Home Chef Credit: Likewise, if you’re considering a meal kit subscription, you’ll get statement credit with Home Chef.
  • Watch for the Spending Caps: While the Blue Cash Everyday card does offer generous rewards for gas, groceries and online purchases, these categories all have a spending cap. After you exceed this cap, your rewards will drop back to the standard 1%. So, monitor your spending in these categories and if you’re close to reaching the spending cap, consider using another more generous card to continue getting great rewards.
  • Book Car Rentals with Your Card: This is a fairly standard option with many credit cards, but having additional coverage is a nice perk that will kick in if you reserve and pay for your rental cars with your card.

Customer Service

American Express has a decent reputation for offering strong customer service. You can speak to a member of the customer support team 24/7 both via the phone helpline or online.

American Express also has a highly rated app that is suitable for both Android and iOS devices on Google Play and the Apple Store respectively. This allows you to not only manage your account on the go, but also address any queries or support issues on your phone.

You can also use the online portal to access your account and the support team. The Amex website has an intuitive layout and clean design that offers a great user experience. In addition to comprehensive product pages, there is an in depth help section with support materials including how to videos.

How to Apply for a Blue Cash Everyday Card?

American Express makes it easy to apply for any of its cards online. Here are the steps you should take in order to apply:

  1. Once you find the Blue Cash Everyday product page, you should immediately notice the blue “Apply Now” button.
  2. After you click the button, you’ll be directed to the application form and informed that you will receive an approval decision in as little as 30 seconds.
  3. As with most credit card applications, you’ll need to provide basic details, such as your full name, email address, date of birth, and income. There is also the option not to provide a Social Security number if you are from outside the U.S in selected countries.
  4. Before you submit the application form, you’ll need to confirm that you are willing to receive a one off SMS to download the app. This is an optional requirement, but it does save you needing to go to Google Play or the Apple Store to try to find the app.
  5. Once you click Continue, you’ll be taken to a Terms and Conditions page that you’ll need to read through and accept to complete the application submission.
  6. American Express should provide you with a quick approval decision, but in some cases, there may be a short delay when you will need to wait for an email.

Compare The Alternatives

There are other credit cards that do offer comparable cash back rewards – we’ve summarized the most popular cards which can use as an alternative to the Blue Cash Everyday card:

Chase Freedom Flex

capital-one-venture

American express everyday card review 2021

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
American Express EveryDay® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$0
Rewards
1-5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on selected categories each quarter and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Also, you can earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), drugstore purchases , and 1% on all other purchases
2X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1X – 2X 2X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year), then 1x on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 miles 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
10,000 points 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
None
2.7%
Purchase APR
20.24%–28.99% variable
20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
17.49% – 28.49% variable

FAQ

American Express doesn’t have specific income requirements for the Blue Cash Everyday card.

Instead, there is a greater focus on your credit score. You will need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for this card. This will consider your income level, current debt obligations and other factors.

American Express doesn’t officially state a minimum initial credit limit, but according to reviews and customer information, you should expect a credit limit of at least $500.

American Express will automatically increase your credit limit if you have shown responsible use. However, after at least 60 days, you can request a higher credit limit.

Excellent. You can access the customer support team 24/7 both online and via the helpline. There is also a comprehensive help section on the website if you have a more general query or question

This card is designed to be an everyday card. So, if you’re a regular traveler and want a lot of travel related perks, this is not the right card for you.

It is possible to receive an approval decision in as little as 30 seconds when you apply online. In most cases, you should have a decision in a matter of minutes. However, there may be some applications that require more time for processing, so you may need to wait a day or two.

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.