Comparison between Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card and Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card: In-depth Analysis
In the world of credit cards, American Express offers two compelling options for those seeking cashback rewards: the Blue Cash Everyday Card and the Blue Cash Preferred Card. Both cards provide a range of benefits, but they cater to different spending habits and budgets.
Blue Cash Everyday Card: Perfect for Budget-Conscious Users
The Blue Cash Everyday Card is an excellent choice for those who prioritise a low annual fee and solid cashback on everyday spending. With no annual fee, it's a great option for budget-conscious users.
This card offers 3% cash back on up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail. It matches the Preferred card’s 3% rate on gas stations but with a cap. Users can enjoy simple rewards without worrying about an annual fee cutting into their earnings. The card also includes shopping benefits like Amex Offers and purchase protection.
However, it has some drawbacks. The cash back rate on groceries is lower compared to the Preferred card (3% vs. 6%), and there are caps on bonus rewards for gas stations. The welcome bonus is also more modest, and all other purchases earn a 1% cashback rate.
Blue Cash Preferred Card: Higher Rewards, Higher Fee
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is ideal for heavy grocery shoppers or those who pay for streaming and transit regularly. This card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually), then 1%, maximising rewards if you spend heavily on groceries. It also offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services and 3% cash back on transit and unlimited gas station purchases.
The card comes with additional benefits, such as $10 back each month for a subscription purchase at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites, up to $180 in credits at Home Chef, and Amex Offers (upon enrollment), purchase protection.
However, the Blue Cash Preferred Card has a higher annual fee of $95 after the first year, making it less cost-effective if you have lower supermarket or streaming spending. It's also worth noting that the 6% supermarket cash back excludes wholesale clubs and big-box superstores. To justify the annual fee, regular usage is required.
Summary
| Feature | Blue Cash Everyday | Blue Cash Preferred | |-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Annual Fee | $0 | $0 first year, then $95 | | Grocery Cash Back | 3% up to $6,000/year | 6% up to $6,000/year | | Streaming Cash Back | Not special | 6% on select services | | Gas Station Cash Back | 3% (capped) | 3% (uncapped) | | Other Purchases Cash Back | 1% | 1% | | Welcome Bonus | Modest | $250 after spending $3,000 in 6 months | | Added Benefits | Purchase protection, Amex Offers | Extended warranty, return protection, plus above |
For heavy grocery shoppers or those who pay for streaming and transit regularly, the Blue Cash Preferred Card can offer rewards that outweigh the annual fee. On the other hand, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is perfect for those who want rewards without fees and have modest grocery spending or shop often online.
[1] The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers up to 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), 3% on gas and transit, and 1% on other purchases. [2] The Blue Cash Everyday Card offers 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail, up to $6,000 per year for each category, then 1%. [3] The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers bonus points for every purchase you make, making it a perfect choice to ensure you're always earning rewards, regardless of the purchase category. [4] The Blue Cash Preferred card offers additional benefits, such as $10 back each month for a subscription purchase at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites, up to $180 in credits at Home Chef, and Amex Offers (upon enrollment), purchase protection. [5] The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card offers an additional monthly statement credit perk of up to $15 back each month (up to $180 annually) when using the card for online orders from Home Chef. Enrollment is required.
- In the realm of streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred Card awards up to 6% cashback on select U.S. streaming platforms.
- For those keen on maintaining a balanced budget, the Blue Cash Everyday Card offers rewards on everyday expenses, such as food, travel, and health, with no annual fee.
- In the sphere of home-cooking, both the Blue Cash Preferred Card and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card offer cashback on grocery purchases, while the Preferred card extends this to up to $6,000 annually, and the Everyday card up to $6,000 per year for U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail.
- In the financial sector, the Blue Cash Preferred Card comes with additional benefits such as extended warranty, return protection, and a monthly statement credit of up to $15 back each month (up to $180 annually) for online orders from Home Chef (enrollment required).
- The Blue Cash Everyday Card, while offering lower cashback rates compared to the Preferred card on certain categories, provides simple rewards without an annual fee, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize affordable financial management.
