Find Your Best
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
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Updated: March 19, 2024
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Both cards provide welcome offers, intro APR and competitive cash back rates. But the Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee while the Blue Cash Preferred Card only waives the annual fee for the first year.
Comparison Overview: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express At a Glance
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back for purchases up to $6,000 in U.S. supermarkets each year, 2% cash back in select department stores and gas stations and 1% on all other eligible purchases. And for purchases made in the first 15 months, you will have a 0% introductory APR, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 28.74%.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
A simple cash back card that’s best for everyday purchases.
- 1%–3% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 19.24%–29.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- A cash back of 3% at supermarkets, online retailers, and gas stations in the U.S
- 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, then a 19.24%–29.99% variable APR after that
- No annual fee
- A $200 welcome offer
Cons
- Bonus categories have spending limits
- Low regular cash back rate
- Longer 0% APR periods are available
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee. See rates and fees
- Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR. See rates and fees
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases of up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 1% cash back on general purchases
- Earn $7 statement credit each month after using your Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
- Terms Apply.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express At a Glance
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express provides a generous 6% cash back for shopping at supermarkets up to $6,000 per year and select streaming subscriptions. Cardholders also earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit expenses. For all other purchases, you will earn 1% cash back. Additionally, you will have a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 28.74%.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
A valuable cash back card for gas and grocery shopping
- 1%–6%Rewards Rate
- 19.24%–29.99% VariableAPR
- $0 for the first year, then $95Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), then 1%
- Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and transit
- Enjoy $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months
- Utilize 12-month, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, then 19.24%–29.99% variable
Cons
- Charges a $95 annual fee after the first year
- Spending caps and exclusions on supermarket purchases
- Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on your new card in the first six months.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee for the first year; then it's $95 (See rates and fees).
- Use Plan It® for $0 intro plan fees on large purchases split into monthly installments for the first 12 months of account opening.
- Benefit from a low intro APR of 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, then a variable APR of 19.24%–29.99% (See rates and fees).
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets for up to $6,000 in annual purchases, then 1% after reaching the limit.
- Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3% cash back on travel-related expenses, including taxis, parking, trains and more.
- All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
- Earn cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Redeem up to $120 in annual statement credits when you pay for an Equinox+ subscription with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card, amounting to $10 monthly credits.
- Get the Disney Bundle for a $7 per month statement credit when you spend at least $9.99 on eligible subscriptions with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card.
- Terms apply.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek compares Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card so you can find the best cash back credit card for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Welcome Bonus | The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express allows you to earn $250 back via statement credit after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers up to $300 in statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months. Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
Rewards | With the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, you can earn 3% cash back at U.S. grocery stores up to $6,000 in purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations and select department stores in the U.S. and 1% cash back for all other purchases. Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back at supermarkets with a limit of $6,000 per year and on specific streaming subscriptions. Cardholders can also earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit like rideshares. Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
Annual Fee | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee. However, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges a $95 annual fee after the first year. Winner: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
Which Card Should You Get?
The best cash back credit card for you will vary based on what you need when deciding between the Blue Cash Everyday Card vs. the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Who Should Consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express?
Individuals looking to save on everyday expenses should consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express since the card offers cash back at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. You might also benefit from no annual fee and 0% introductory APR within the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 28.74%.
The card offers 3% cash back up to $6,000 purchases at U.S. supermarkets and 1% cash back for purchases beyond the limit. You can also get 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select department stores in the U.S.
Blue Cash Everyday Card has no annual fee and an introductory 0% APR for your first 15 months.
It’s possible to split purchases beyond $100 into monthly payments using the Plan It feature from American Express.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express?
The generous cash back of the Blue Cash Preferred Card may greatly benefit those who frequently cook at home and enjoy streaming their favorite TV shows. This card is also ideal for individuals who commute often, whether by public transportation or car.
The card offers 6% cash back for purchases up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, 6% cash back for select streaming services and 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and on transit.
Reward dollars can also be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cardholders also benefit from the waived annual fee and 0% introductory APR for the first year.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
Both of these cards are very similar, so it really comes down to the math. If you spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee of the Blue Cash Preferred, then go that route. The card also comes with an extremely valuable benefit many overlook — return protection. If you’re dissatisfied with a purchase and the merchant will not accept a return, the return protection policy will cover that purchase up to $300 per item.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
MoneyGeek listed some of the most frequently asked questions about the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express vs. the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
The best card for you depends on your needs and situation. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred Card offers higher cash back rates but has an annual fee of $95 after the first year while the Blue Cash Everyday Card has lower cash back rates and no annual fee.
Yes, it’s possible to have both American Express credit cards. However, be aware of the 2/90 rule from American Express, which means you can only be approved for two cards within a 90 day span.
Yes, but you’re only allowed to transfer points if both cards are linked to your American Express Rewards Account. However, neither of these cards earn points.
Yes, it’s possible to switch from an Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express to Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express by calling or writing the issuer.
It’s generally easy to get approval for both American Express credit cards if you’re eligible. You can apply online and once approved, the issuer will ask for supporting documents and you can get your credit card within three to five business days.
With the Blue Cash Everyday Card, you need to spend $2,000 within the first six months of opening your account to get $250 back in statement credit. In the first six months, you can get up to $400 in statement credit with the Blue Cash Preferred Card and you can get another $200 back if you spend $3,000.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
Both the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express have great rewards for everyday expenses. But if you’re still on the fence about which card fits you best, consider other cash back credit cards.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- American Express. "How to apply for a credit card." Accessed January 7, 2022.
- American Express. "Welcome to Membership Rewards!." Accessed January 7, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.