Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday 2024

If you’re looking for a chance to earn bonus cash back on eligible grocery and gas purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates and fees) and the Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates and fees) are both solid choices.

As you compare the Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs. Everyday, you’ll notice some similarities. However, differences in rewards rates, fees and some benefits are big enough that one may be a better choice than the other based on your spending habits.

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Featured Offer

Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express

Welcome Bonus

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$250

Regular APR

18.74%-29.74% Variable

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Credit Score

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent, Good

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

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On American Express's Website

Comparing the Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Amex Blue Cash Everyday

	Blue Cash Preferred	Blue Cash Everyday
Annual fee	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95	$0
Foreign transaction fee	2.70%	2.70%
Introductory APR	0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a 18.74%-29.74% Variable APR	0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a 18.74%-29.74% variable APR
Welcome bonus	$250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months	$200 when you spend $2,000 on purchases within six months of account opening
U.S. supermarket rewards	6% on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%)	3% on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%)
U.S. gas station rewards	3%	3% on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%)
Transit rewards (including rideshare, taxis and parking)	3%	1%
U.S. online shopping rewards	1%	3% on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%)
Select U.S. streaming rewards	6%	1%
Base rewards rate	1%	1%
Statement credits	$84 Disney Bundle credit (in $7 monthly increments)	$84 Disney Bundle credit (in $7 monthly increments); $180 Home Chef credit (in $15 monthly increments)

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Spending example: Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday

When deciding between the Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs. Preferred, you’ll want to look at how you spend your money, particularly on groceries.

On average, US households spent $5,703 on food at home in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Expenditures Survey. Here’s what that translates to in rewards for each card:

	U.S. supermarket rewards rate	Annual rewards
Blue Cash Preferred	6% on up to $6,000 spent each year (then 1%)	$342.18 ($5,703 x .06)
Blue Cash Everyday Card	3% on up to $6,000 spent each year (then 1%)	$171.09 ($5,703 x .03)

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That’s a difference of about $171, or an effective difference of $76 after accounting for the Blue Cash Preferred‘s annual fee.

As a single father of two, I’ve spent roughly $3,825 at U.S. supermarkets through mid-August 2024, or about $510 per month. As a Blue Cash Preferred card holder, I’ve already earned enough in cash back to outpace what I’d earn with the Blue Cash Everyday Card, even accounting for the annual fee.

In fact, the breakeven point after which the Blue Cash Preferred’s rewards on U.S. supermarket spending alone outweigh its annual fee is about $3,176 per year — or about $264 per month.

If you’re right around that point, you’ll want to look at other rewards rates to determine whether one card is better than the other in the long run.

Other Amex Blue Cash card benefits

Both Blue Cash cards offer a lot of value beyond their rewards programs. In many cases, the cards overlap, but important distinctions exist, especially if you value purchase protections.

	Blue Cash Preferred	Blue Cash Everyday
Purchase protection1	Coverage amount: Up to $1,000 per purchase or up to $500 for a loss linked to a natural disaster Annual coverage limit: $50,000 When coverage applies: If an eligible purchase you made within the past 90 days is damaged or stolen	Coverage amount: Up to $1,000 per purchase or up to $500 for a loss linked to a natural disaster Annual coverage limit: $50,000 When coverage applies: If an eligible purchase you made within the past 90 days is damaged or stolen
Extended warranty2	Coverage amount: Up to $10,000 per purchase Annual coverage limit: $50,000 When coverage applies: Up to one year after a manufacturer’s warranty of up to five years expires	Not offered
Return protection3	Coverage amount: Up to $300 per item (not including shipping and handling) Annual coverage limit: $1,000 When coverage applies: Up to 90 days after making an eligible purchase	Not offered
Secondary rental car insurance?	Up to $50,000 to cover damage to or theft of an eligible rental vehicle	Up to $50,000 to cover damage to or theft of an eligible rental vehicle
Amex Offers	Available	Available

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What could be better on the Blue Cash cards?

There’s not a lot to complain about either of the Blue Cash credit cards, but regardless of which one you choose, there are some potential downsides to consider.

Base rewards rates are low

You can avoid the cards’ subpar 1% base rewards rates by pairing them with one or more other rewards credit cards. For example, I use the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card * The information for the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which offers up to 2.5% cash back on everything, for my non-bonus spending.

Redemption options are inflexible

You can only redeem the cash back you earn with the Blue Cash cards as a statement credit or to cover online shopping at Amazon.com.

In contrast, redemption options with top cash back credit cards may include direct deposit, gift cards, travel and more.

Supermarket category is restrictive

Amex’s U.S. supermarket category excludes superstores such as Walmart and Target, wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club, and convenience stores. If you do the majority of your grocery shopping with those types of retailers, you won’t qualify for bonus rewards.

Should you get the Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday?

The Blue Cash Preferred is generally a better fit for people who spend a lot on eligible grocery purchases, and it’s also a solid choice for entertainment junkies with a lot of streaming subscriptions.

However, if you have an eligible Home Chef subscription, the added value of up to $15 in monthly statement credits on the Blue Cash Everyday Card could help make up for the card’s lower rate on U.S. supermarket purchases. The no annual fee card could also be worth considering for someone who does a lot of online shopping, thanks to its 3% cash back rate on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%).

For me, maximizing rewards on my grocery bill was my top priority, making the Blue Cash Preferred the clear winner. However, it’s important to evaluate your own spending and preferences to determine which one is right for you.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred? Card from American Express, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday? Card from American Express, please visit this page.

^{1When an American Express? Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.}

^{2When an American Express? Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.}

^{3With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express? Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.}

^{?Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.}