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American Express is known for offering some of the best travel credit cards on the market, but the issuer also has quite a few solid cash-back card options to choose from. These days, the ability to redeem cash back to help you save money on whatever you need might be higher on your priority list than stocking up points for a future vacation.
Two of the more notable cash-back cards in the Amex lineup are the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Both offer bonus cash-back rewards at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets. Still, there are other divergent bonus categories to consider between the two cards — along with different earning rates and annual fees.
Currently, both cards are offering new, elevated welcome offers that might have you taking another look and trying to decide between them. Below, we’re breaking down the benefits provided by both and when it makes sense to choose one over the other.
Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday Comparison
|
Card |
Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
Amex Blue Cash Everyday |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees) | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. | Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. |
| Earning rates | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases; then 1%)
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services 3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations. 1% cash back on other purchases Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits. Terms apply. |
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per category per year in purchases; then 1%)
1% cash back on other purchases Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits. Terms apply. |
| Other benefits |
|
|
| Foreign transaction fees | 2.7% (see rates and fees) | 2.7% (see rates and fees) |
As you can see, the two cards have quite a bit of similarity. But which card should you get based on your spending habits? Let’s dig a little deeper into who might be better suited for each card.
Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday welcome offer
The Blue Cash Preferred is offering a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Everyday card offers a slightly less welcome offer with a lower spending requirement. Cardholders will earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.
It’s important to note that both welcome offer bonuses will come in the form of a statement credit.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred. Even though it has a higher spending requirement, the bonus is more valuable.
Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday benefits
Although the Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 introductory annual fee and a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) the following year, it offers several benefits that can make that fee worth paying. Cardholders receive a monthly $7 Disney bundle Statement credit when spending $9.99 or more each month on a Disney+ subscription. Cardholders also receive up to $120 annually as up to $10 monthly statement credits toward Equinox+ when using the Blue Cash Preferred card to pay for a subscription. Enrollment required.
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It also comes with secondary car rental loss and damage insurance*. We frequently see this offered on travel credit cards, but it’s good to see it on a cash back card. Additionally, the card offers return protection** and an extended warranty*** on purchases as well as a ShopRunner membership, which provides free two-day shipping at hundreds of online retailers.
The Blue Cash Everyday card offers mostly the same benefits except for the Equinox+ monthly credit and extended warranty on purchases, all while having no annual fee (see rates and fees). Instead of the Equinox+ monthly statement credit, the card provides up to $180 in Home Chef credit annually, and up to $15 in statement credits back per month after you use your Blue Cash Everyday card to purchase a Home Chef subscription.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer similar benefits, and applicants should choose the card that provides benefits tailored to their needs.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.
****Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Earning cash back with the Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
The Blue Cash Preferred gives cardholders 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that) and on select U.S. streaming services. Cardholders will also receive 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations with no annual cap on the rewards that can be earned. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
The Blue Cash Everyday‘s earning rates, on the other hand, do not match its sibling’s. Cardholders will earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per category per year in purchases; then 1% after that). All other purchases on the card earn 1% cash back.
It is worth noting that the Blue Cash Preferred carries a $95 annual fee after the first year, while the Blue Cash Everyday doesn’t have an annual fee. You’ll want to calculate your earnings for the available bonus categories to ensure you’ll earn enough to justify the annual fee before applying for the Blue Cash Preferred. If not, the Blue Cash Everyday is likely your better option.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred. The card offers a higher cash back rate for supermarket purchases and unlimited earnings on transit and U.S. gas station purchases.
Redeeming cash back with the Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
Redemption options for both the Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday are quite limited. Cardholders for both cards earn cash back in the form of Reward Dollars, which can only be redeemed as a statement credit.
Still, there are some great reasons to keep a cash-back card in your wallet. Senior points and miles writer Katie Genter referred the Blue Cash Preferred to her parents, who wanted a simple statement credit redemption from their cash back earnings.
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer only one-way to redeem cash back rewards.
Related: How to redeem cash back
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday?
Both cards earn bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets, though at differing rates. If you’ll need to earn enough rewards with the Blue Cash Preferred to offset the cost of that card’s $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), it’s your better option. However, if you are a beginner with rewards cards who will likely only spend $100-$200 per month total on your card, the no-annual-fee Everyday (see rates and fees) is the way to go.
How to switch from the Blue Cash Preferred to Blue Cash Everyday
Cardholders of either card can request a product change to the other by either calling Amex customer service or requesting a request on the Amex mobile app.
It’s important to remember that any promotional welcome bonus offers, introductory APRs, or waived annuals for the first year will not apply to those switching between the two credit card products.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card upgrades
Bottom line
Both the Blue Cash Preferred and the Blue Cash Everyday are excellent cash-back card options. For those who can maximize the bonus categories enough to justify the annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred’s higher earning potential makes it the easy winner. However, if you aren’t sure you’ll earn enough to make an annual fee worth paying, the Blue Cash Everyday comes out on top.
For more details, see our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Apply here: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Apply here: Amex Blue Cash Everyday
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Everyday, click here.
