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American Express is one of the leading credit card providers in the world today. It has numerous great cards on offer, each with its own specific advantages. Two of the remain options are the American Express Everyday® Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
While there are similarities between these two options, there are also some key differences that you need to be aware of. This article will allow you to figure out which of these options is going to be most suitable card for you.
General Comparison
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|---|---|---|
Amex Everyday | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | |
Annual Fee | $0. See Rates and Fees. | $95 ($0 intro for the first year). See Rates and Fees. |
Rewards | 2X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year), then 1x on all purchases . Terms Apply. | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit
and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
.Terms Apply. |
Welcome bonus | 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months | $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months |
0% Intro APR | 15 months on purchases | 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7%. See Rates and Fees. | 2.70%. See Rates and Fees. |
Purchase APR | 17.49% – 28.49% variable | 18.74% – 29.74% Variable |
Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?
There are going to be different advantages that a given card has over the other when it comes to cashback. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to get when it comes to each of these Amex cards.
As you can see, the Preferred Card makes that most of having higher redemption rates for the likes of U.S. supermarkets. There is not much of a major difference between the other costs. Therefore, the Preferred Card will be suited to those people who make plenty of purchases at U.S. supermarkets during the course of the year. However, you do need to factor in the annual fee for this card.
However, keep in mind to adjust the numbers to your regular spending categories, which may be different – so the exact calculation depends on your personal habits.
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|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Amex Everyday Card | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $270 | $450 |
$3,000 – Restaurants
| $30 | $30 |
$1,500 – Airline | $15 | $15 |
$1,500 – Hotels | $15 | $15 |
$4,000 – Gas | $80 | $120 |
Annual Value | $410 | $630 |
Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
Welcome Bonus And Fees
For the Amex Everyday Card, you will earn 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. For the Preferred Card, you will get $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
The Everyday card has a 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and the BCP has 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers . For the Blue Cash Preferred Card and the Everyday Card, the APR will then be 18.74% – 29.74% Variable when it comes to making purchases.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred annual fee is $95 ($0 intro for the first year). The Everyday Card never has an annual fee. You will be charged a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% and there are penalty fees for making late payments through both cards.
Compare Perks
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards. We will now highlight some of the similarities and differences when it comes to the extra features that are commonly seen with credit cards.
Here are the additional benefits you'll get on both cards (Terms Apply):
- Amex Send and Split: This gives you the ability to send money and split purchases with any other PayPal or Venmo user. This can be done directly through the Amex App.
- Exclusive access to ticket presales. American Express Experiences provide card member only events in cities and exclusive ticket presale access. You can browse concert tours, sporting events and even Broadway shows for exclusive deals.
- Fraud Protection: You will not have to be responsible for any fraudulent charges. If you see a charge that is suspicious, just get in touch with the Amex team.
- Pay It Plan It: This allows you to control how you pay for purchases. For payments under $100, you can make payments over the course of a month. For purchases of at least $100, you can split these payments into monthly payments, having a fixed fee and no interest rate. You also earn rewards as normal.
Unique Perks
Amex Everyday Card
- Extra Cards: You are able to add an additional card for anyone who will make a purchase on your behalf, such as an employee, spouse, or child (at least 13 years old).
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- Return Protection: Certain purchases can be returned if the seller will not give you a refund within 90 days of making the purchase.
This could see American Express giving you back the full purchase price but not the handling and shipping fees. This is up to $300 per item and up to a max of $1,000 in a calendar year.
Compare The Drawbacks
No financial product is without potential drawbacks, and these two cards are no exception. So, here we’ll highlight some possible negatives so you can make an informed decision.
High FX Fee: You will need to pay a 2.70% foreign exchange fee, which is higher than many other cards, so this is not the best suited for travel-related purchases.
No Balance Transfers: Although both cards offer 0% intro APR, the Everday card is limited to purchases only, as balance transfers are impossible. So, if you were hoping to take advantage of this low APR to consolidate your credit card balances, you may prefer the Blue Cash Preferred card.
Amex Everyday Card
- Certain Exceptions
For U.S. supermarkets, there are certain chains that are excluded and the cashback rewards are sometimes capped.
- Lower Rewards
Compared to the Blue Chase Preferred, the Everyday card offers less attractive rewards rate. For high spenders, it can be a significant difference overall.
- Lower Welcome Bonus
Blue Chase Preferred's welcome bonus are much more attractive than the Everyday card.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- Annual Fee
Unlike the Everyday Card, you will need to pay an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro for the first year)
- U.S. Supermarkets Exceptions
For U.S. supermarkets, there are certain chains that are excluded such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.
Compare Redemption Options
Amex offers several ways to redeem your rewards. These include:
- Statement credit or a direct deposit: There is no minimum to redeem your rewards in this way and direct deposits are acceptable for most U.S checking and savings accounts.
- Amazon shopping: You can also use your rewards to pay for all or part of eligible Amazon.com orders when you link your card to your Amazon account.
- Gift cards: Chase has a variety of gift card options including for dining, entertainment and shopping.
- Travel rewards. You can use the Amex Membership Rewards to access competitive rates for travel products including hotel stays and flights.
How to Maximize Cards Benefits?
If you want to make the best use of your Amex Everyday there are some tips to help you:
Know the Exceptions: There are some exceptions to the U.S. supermarkets and U.S. department stores in which you can use this card. Make sure that you are aware of these exceptions.
Meet Welcome Offer Minimum Spending: You should make sure to make the most of the welcome bonus so you can get a statement credit. Terms Apply.
Add Extra Cards: You have the ability to add cards to this plan from the likes of employees, spouses, and children. This can lead to you getting even more rewards over the long haul.
If you want to make the best use of your Amex Blue Cash Preferred there are some tips to help you:
Track Progress: There is a cap on how much you can get from U.S. supermarkets, so be aware of how many rewards you have left before it drops back to the 1% cashback rate. Terms Apply.
Know the Exceptions: There are some exceptions to the U.S. supermarkets and department stores in which you can use this card. Make sure that you are aware of these exceptions.
Take Advantage of the Welcome Offer: You should make sure to make the most of the welcome bonus so you can get a statement credit.
Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?
Amex Everyday | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | |
|---|---|---|
App Rating (iOS)
| 4.9 | 4.9 |
App Rating (Android) | 4.2 | 4.2 |
BBB Rating (A-F) | A+ | A+ |
WalletHub | 3.5 | 4 |
Contect Options | phone/social | phone/social |
Availability | 24/7 | 24/7 |
Customers regularly rank American Express as the best provider of credit cards in the US today. They enjoy the very user-friendly mobile app, as well as the quality customer support team.
For the Everyday Card, customers like the good range of purchases that you can make and get a cashback rate that is superior to 1%, as well as having a flexible repayment plan and being able to add an extra card as needed.
There are no major issues that users have with this card option, except that it is not well suited to travel and there is a cap and some exclusions to U.S. supermarkets and U.S. department stores that are eligible for premium rewards.
For the Preferred Card, people enjoy the great level of heightened redemption rates of the likes of U.S. supermarkets purchases. They also enjoy the welcome offer and the fraud protection that is in place. In terms of drawbacks, the annual fee has to be considered, as well as the 2.70% foreign exchange charge.
When You Might Want the Everyday Card?
The Amex Everyday Card is a great option that could be good if you:
Want to add cards: You have the ability to add extra cards to this offering, meaning that you can earn rewards for purchases made by the likes of your spouse, children, and employees.
Don’t Spend Enough: If you do not spend enough to justify the annual fee of the Preferred Card, then the Everyday Card will be suited to you.
Want Something General: The Everyday Card is a good general card that is ideal for everyday purchases rather than being very niche.
Cost-Effective: There is no annual fee with this card and you also get a good welcome offer.
When You Might Want the Preferred Card?
The Amex Blue Preferred Card is a solid choice if you:
Will Maximize the Rewards: If you will be able to get the most out of the premium cashback rates when compared to the annual fee, then this card will be worthwhile.
Enjoy Welcome Offers: There is a lucrative welcome offer that gives you $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Spend on Travel or U.S. supermarkets: This card is great for people who spend a lot on transit costs or groceries at U.S. supermarkets during the course of a year.
Bottom Line
Both of these cards are from one of the best issuers in the business and have a lot going for them. The Everyday Card has no annual fee and offers a good range of cashback rewards, as well as having some good perks.
The Preferred Card does carry an annual fee, but you will get much higher rewards for certain types of purchases, as well as a generous welcome offer. Both of these cards are good options, so you need to decide which one is best suited to your particular situation.
Compare The Alternatives
Both cards offer some interesting rewards, particularly for every day purchases.
However, there are some alternatives that you should know as well before making a decision of what's best choice for you.
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|---|---|---|---|
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | |
Annual Fee | $0
| $0
| $0
|
Rewards |
2%
2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited)
|
1.5% – 5%
5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
|
1% – 5%
3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%)
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Welcome bonus |
$200
$200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
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Up to $300
additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)- worth up to $300 cash back
|
$200
$200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | 3%
| 3%
| 3%
|
Purchase APR | 17.49% to 29.49% variable APR
| 19.49% – 28.24% variable
| 18.24% to 28.24% will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers
|
FAQ
Yes, you can get pre-approval when it comes to the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card by filling out a simple form, with no hard credit check needed.
The initial credit limit that you will get with the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card will be at least $1,000 and it will usually be greater.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card will be a good potential fit for your needs If you will get the most out of these rewards and justify the annual fee of $95 ($0 intro for the first year).
If you will not get enough back from the rewards to justify the annual fee then the Blue Cash Preferred Card might not be for you and it might be a good idea to look elsewhere for no annual fee cards.
Review American Express Credit Cards
American Express Everyday
American Express Platinum Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
American Express Green Card
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Delta SkyMiles Blue
American Express Gold Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold
Hilton Honors American Express
* All information about American Express Everyday® Card has been collected independently by The Smart Investor. American Express Everyday® Card is no longer available through The Smart Investor.
