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As the names suggest, both the American Express Everyday® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are credit cards designed for your day to day use. Unlike many cards that offer the best rewards for travelers, these cards offer the highest bonuses on everyday items like groceries, gas, and eating out.
However, there are some important differences between the two options that we will examine in more detail, so you can determine which card is the best fit for you and your lifestyle.
General Comparison
Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?
Although we’ve looked at a variety of the card features, understanding the real cash benefits can be tricky without a direct scenario comparison. Since both of these cards are designed for everyday spending, we’ll look at typical monthly spending to see what rewards the cards offer, so you can see what rewards you could earn with similar spending.
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.
|
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | American Express Everyday® Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 21,000 points | $225 |
$5,000 – Restaurants
| 5,000 points | $150 |
$1,000 – Airline | 1,000 points | $50 |
$1,000 – Hotels | 1,000 points | $50 |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 points | $60 |
Total Points | 32,000 points | / |
Estimated Redemption Value | 0.6 – 1.6 cent | / |
Estimated Annual Value | $192 – $512 | $475 |
Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
Compare Welcome Bonus And Fees
Both cards have a sign up bonus that takes the form of cash, rather than points you’ll need to calculate and redeem. The Amex Everyday card offers 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
Chase has an even more attractive introductory bonus scheme for its Freedom Unlimited Card – 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.
This is an area where the Amex Everyday and Chase Freedom Unlimited are very similar. Neither card has an annual fee, which is a great saving compared to other cards offered Amex or by Chase. Both card issuers also offer 0% intro APR.
The foreign transaction fees for the cards are also similar. Amex charges 2.7% and Chase charges 3%, with both percentages applying after the conversion to dollars. The only key difference is that while Amex does not allow balance transfers, Chase charges $5 or 5%, but this is reduced to $5 or 3% for the first 60 days.
Compare The Perks
Amex Everyday Card
- 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.
- Car Rental Damage and Loss Insurance: When you use your card to reserve and pay for the entire rental, if you decline the rental company collision damage waiver, you’ll be covered for Damage or theft in covered territories.
- Send and Split: This allows you to split purchases with other PayPal or Venmo users directly using the Amex App and your Everyday card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Complimentary three month DoorDash DashPass. This subscription service provides unlimited $0 delivery fee deliveries on orders over $12. After this point, you’ll qualify for a DashPass at 50% off for the following nine months. However, you must activate this subscription before March 31 2022.
- Cash Back on Lyft rides: You’ll earn 5% cash back on your Lyft rides until March 2022. This is 3.5% extra to the 1.5% you’ll already earn.
- Up to $500 cash back per year for referring friends. You’ll earn $100 for each friend who gets a participating Freedom credit card.
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.
Amex Everyday Card
- No Balance Transfers
Although the Amex Everyday card has 0% for 15 months on purchases only, as balance transfers are not possible.
So, if you were hoping to take advantage of this low APR to consolidate your credit card balances, you’ll be disappointed.
- Not Accepted Worldwide
While Amex is popular here and in numerous countries in the world, it is not widely accepted in some areas. So, if you do want to take advantage of the fairly low foreign transaction fee, check that you can use the card in your destination country before you travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Limited Time Offers
Some of the most attractive card benefits have a strict time limit. For example, the free DoorDash membership is only for three months and you’ll only earn the higher rate cash back on Lyft rides until March 2022. So, watch the time limits!
- No Free Balance Transfers During the Intro Period
Although Chase has reduced the balance transfer fee to 3% or $5 for the first 60 days, after this time, the fees go back up to $5 or 5%. So, if you want to take advantage of the 0% introductory offer, you’ll need to get your balance transfers organized quickly and you’ll still need to pay a fee.
Compare Redemption Options
Both Amex and Chase 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 Chase Ultimate Rewards platform 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:
- Meet the introductory spend minimum: You’ll earn 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months . So, make sure you meet this spending requirement.
- Reserve and pay for your rental cars with your card. This will provide additional insurance protection for damage and theft. Other Amex cards are also a great option for rental car insurance cards.
- Check out American Express Experiences: If you like going to concerts, sporting events, and shows, be sure to check out this platform for exclusive access to ticket presales.
If you want to make the best use of your Chase Freedom Unlimited , there are some tips to help you:
- Link your card to Lyft asap: Until March 2022, you’ll earn an additional 3.5% cash back on your rides. So, make sure you link your card to your Lyft account as soon as you receive it.
- Sign up for your DashPass: You’ll receive a complimentary three month DoorDash DashPass, so make sure you sign up and take advantage of a $0 delivery fee on orders over $12.
- Introduce family and friends to Chase. You can earn $100 for each referral who gets a participating Chase credit card.
Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?
Amex Everyday | Chase Freedom Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
App Rating (iOS)
| 4.9 | 4.8 |
App Rating (Android) | 4.2 | 4.4 |
BBB Rating (A-F) | A+ | B+ |
WalletHub | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Contect Options | phone/social | phone/social |
Availability | 24/7 | 7 AM – 11 PM |
Satisfied customers report that the Amex Everyday is a great card to negate the rising cost of groceries. While there is a cap of $6,000 per year, you can earn 3% cash back on your grocery bills. The other highlights include an easy to qualify for introductory cash bonus.
Negative reviews report frustration that there is no balance transfer option. Although there is a long 0% introductory rate, this is only for purchases, so you cannot consolidate your credit card balances on this card.
Satisfied borrowers report the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers some great rewards for everyday spending. This means that you can maximize your rewards without needing to drastically change your spending habits. Cardholders also appreciate the 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months.
Negative reviews report frustration at the lack of fee free balance transfers. While the card is set up to allow you to access a 0% rate on purchases and balance transfers, there are no fee free balance transfers. Also, there are some comments about the temporary nature of some of the card benefits.
When You Might Want the Everyday Card?
The Amex Everyday Card is a great option that could be good if:
- You tend to spend $500 or more a month on groceries, as you’ll enjoy higher cash back up to a cap of $6,000 per year. After this, you’ll earn 1%.
- You like attending concerts, sporting events, and other ticketed events and will make use of the Amex ticket presale platform.
- You plan on making $2,000 in purchases within the first six months, so you’ll qualify for the cash back bonus
When You Might Want the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is a solid choice if:
- You will spend at least $20,00 during the first year in order to get the most of the sign up bonus.
- You enjoy dining out, as you’ll get 3% on your purchases
- Higher cash back on many purchases, especially those through Chase Ultimate rewards.
Bottom Line
Both the Amex Everyday and the Chase Freedom Unlimited offer some nice rewards, particularly since neither card has an annual fee.
However, the differences between these cards will influence which one will be better suited to you and your circumstances.
FAQ
You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%.
No transparent income requirements or proof of income requests are laid out when it comes to applying for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card.
Yes, you can get pre-approval on Chase website. This means that you can figure out if you can qualify for this card or not without having to submit to a hard credit check.
All purchases earn cashback with this card. This means that it is going to be ideal for those people who want a card that fits into a wide range of different types of purchases.
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.
 |
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | |
Annual Fee | $0
| $95 ($0 intro for the first year)
| $95
|
Rewards |
1.5%
1.5% cash back on all purchases
|
1-6%
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
|
2X – 5X
5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online grocery purchases and 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
$250
$200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
|
$250
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
|
60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | None | 2.70% | 0%
|
Purchase APR | 19.24% – 29.24% variable
| 18.49% – 29.49% Variable
| 20.49% – 27.49% variable APR
|
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