Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

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Our Pick

Good for Maximum Value

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

rewards rate: 5.0

welcome bonus: 4.5

annual fee: 3.0

other costs fees: 5.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 4.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday
Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

rewards rate: 5.0

welcome bonus: 4.5

annual fee: 3.0

other costs fees: 5.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 4.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

Rewards rate:

6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%… Read More ). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Learn more externa link icon At our partner’s secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Good for No Annual Fee

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

rewards rate: 4.0

welcome bonus: 5.0

annual fee: 5.0

other costs fees: 3.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 3.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

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Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday
Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

rewards rate: 4.0

welcome bonus: 5.0

annual fee: 5.0

other costs fees: 3.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 3.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

Rewards rate:

3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%… Read More . 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Learn more externa link icon At our partner’s secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

  • Intro offer:

    $250
  • Annual fee:

    $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Regular APR:

    18.24%-29.24% Variable
  • Recommended credit score:

    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
  • Rewards rate:

    6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

  • Intro offer:

    $250
  • Annual fee:

    $0
  • Regular APR:

    18.24%-29.24% Variable
  • Recommended credit score:

    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
  • Rewards rate:

    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, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Great rewards in everyday spending categories
  • Introductory interest offer for new purchases and balance transfers
  • Competitive welcome bonus

Cons

  • $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)
  • U.S. supermarket 6% rewards capped after $6,000 annual spend

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Everyday rewards categories
  • No annual fee
  • Valuable welcome offer
  • Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers

Cons

  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee (See Rates & Fees)

Additional Card Details

Additional Card Details

  • 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months from the date of account opening, then 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR
  • Cash welcome bonus
  • Disney Bundle credit worth up to $84
  • Equinox+ credit worth up to $120
  • Early event ticket access and seating through American Express Experiences
  • Eligible for Amex Pay It, Plan It
  • Travel protections
  • Purchase protections
  • Minimum $25 rewards redemption

Additional Card Details

  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date account opening, then 18.24% – 29.24% variable APR
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit
  • Access to presales and exclusive seating through American Express Experiences
  • Travel and purchase protections
  • Amex Pay It, Plan It

NextAdvisor’s Take

The sister American Express Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday credit cards are valuable cash back options from American Express, with rewards at supermarkets, gas stations, and other everyday spending categories. The Blue Cash Preferred charges an ongoing $95 annual fee, unlike the no annual fee Blue Cash Everyday, but its higher rewards rates and additional bonus categories make it the better choice for most people.

American Express offers a wide range of rewards credit cards, from travel credit cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards points to co-branded credit cards with airlines and hotels and cash back credit cards. 

They may not be as flashy as some of Amex’s more premium travel options, but two popular cash back credit cards from this issuer — the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express — offer cardholders great value. 

Both offer cash back rewards in everyday spending categories, but the Blue Cash Preferred offers a higher rate of rewards on spending and a higher welcome offer. In exchange, you’ll pay an ongoing annual fee and must meet a higher spending threshold — which can make it ideal for families who dedicate a large portion of their monthly budget to groceries, gas, and streaming services. 

The no annual fee Blue Cash Everyday (See rates & fees), on the other hand, is the more affordable option, but you’ll forgo some rewards value. If you’re not sure you could reach the spending cap for the Preferred card to maximize rewards categories or score the bonus, this may be the better option.

Here’s how the Blue Cash Preferred Card and Blue Cash Everyday stack up in terms of overall rewards value and utility. 

Side-by-Side Comparison

Blue Cash Everyday CardBlue Cash Preferred CardAnnual Fee$0$95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) (See rates & fees)Welcome OfferEarn up to $250 back: Earn 20% back (up to $150 in statement credits) on purchases with PayPal merchants. Plus, earn $100 a statement credit after you spend $2,000. Complete both in the first six months of card membership

Earn $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first six months of account opening

Cash Back Rewards• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%) back

• 3% back at U.S. gas stations

• 1% back on other eligible purchases• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%) back

• 6% back on select U.S. streaming services

• 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit

• 1% back on other eligible purchasesOther Benefits• 0% APR on purchases for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.74% – 28.74%
• Return protection

• Global Assist hotline

• Pay it Plan it

• Payment flexibility• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.74% – 28.74%

• Return protection

• Global Assist hotline

• Pay it Plan it

• Payment flexibility

Bonus Comparison

Between these two cards, the Blue Cash Preferred offers more first-year rewards potential, with a higher minimum spending requirement to get the introductory bonus. 

To earn the $250 welcome bonus, you’ll need to spend $3,000 within the first six months, or about $500 per month.

With the Blue Cash Everyday, you can earn up to $250 back. Earn 20% back (up to $150 in statement credits) on purchases with PayPal merchants. Plus, earn $100 a statement credit after you spend $2,000. Complete both in the first six months of card membership.

Keep your budget in mind, the Blue Cash Preferred does require more upfront spending, so if your regular spending isn’t high enough to take full advantage of the welcome offer, you might get more value from the Blue Cash Everyday.

Rewards Comparison

Once again, the Blue Cash Preferred is superior in terms of the rewards you can earn, which are higher than the earning rates on the Blue Cash Everyday. 

When you apply for the Blue Cash Preferred, you’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%) back, 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, 1% back on other eligible purchases. 

While the Blue Cash Preferred does charge a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), the higher earning rate at U.S. supermarkets can more than make up for it. You can max out the 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on the Blue Cash Preferred with $6,000 in spending per year, or $500 per month. At that rate, you would earn $360 in rewards in this category alone.

By contrast, the Blue Cash Everyday only offers 3% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per year (then 1% back). If you spent $500 per month at U.S. supermarkets with this card, maxing out this bonus category would yield you just $180 in cash back per year.

In other words, even accounting for the Blue Cash Preferred’s $95 annual fee, you could net an additional $85 cash back just on U.S. supermarket spending every year you have the card.

Don’t forget about these cards’ other bonus categories, too. Both offer rewards on gas and transit. The biggest difference is the Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% back on select U.S. streaming services. Instead of streaming, the Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. These may not make enough difference to outweigh the 6% benefit at U.S. supermarkets, but may factor into your decision depending on your individual spending habits.

APRs

The Blue Cash Everyday Card has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening (17.74% – 28.74% variable APR thereafter) and the Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening (17.74% – 28.74%)

Pro Tip

If you want to save money on interest for as long as possible, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is the best option here. This card gives you 0% APR on purchases for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.74% – 28.74% %

If you have a large upcoming purchase to make, the Blue Cash Everyday Card’s longer introductory period can give you a little more time to pay down your balance.

Fees

Unlike many other top cash back credit cards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card charges a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year). The Blue Cash Everyday Card doesn’t charge an annual fee at all.

Other than that, fees on these cards are very similar. Both charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee if you make purchases outside the United States, and both have a late fee and a returned payment fee up to $40. (See rates & fees) (See rates & fees)

Neither card allows balance transfers right now, so if you’re looking to consolidate high-interest debt, explore the best balance transfer credit cards from other issuers on the market today.

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Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday
Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.3/5)

rewards rate: 5.0

welcome bonus: 4.5

annual fee: 3.0

other costs fees: 5.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 4.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

  • Intro offer:

    $250

  • Annual fee:

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

  • Regular APR:

    18.24%-29.24% Variable

  • Recommended credit:

    670-850 (Good to Excellent)

  • Learn more externa link icon At our partner’s secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Learn More externa link icon

Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday
Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.1/5)

rewards rate: 4.0

welcome bonus: 5.0

annual fee: 5.0

other costs fees: 3.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 3.0

simplicity: 4.0

annual percentage rate: 3.5

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

  • Intro offer:

    $250

  • Annual fee:

    $0

  • Regular APR:

    18.24%-29.24% Variable

  • Recommended credit:

    670-850 (Good to Excellent)

  • Learn more externa link icon At our partner’s secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.

Learn More externa link icon

Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday
Blue cash preferred card vs blue cash everyday

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Editor’s Score: (4.7/5)

Editor’s Score: (4.7/5)

rewards rate: 5.0

welcome bonus: 5.0

annual fee: 5.0

other costs fees: 4.0

intro apr: 4.0

other benefits: 5.0

simplicity: 3.0

annual percentage rate: 3.0

Last updated November 22, 2022

All reviews are prepared by NextAdvisor staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review.

  • Intro offer:

    Earn an Additional 1.5% Cash Back

  • Annual fee:

    $0

  • Regular APR:

    18.74% – 27.49% Variable

  • Recommended credit:

    670-850 (Good to Excellent)

  • Apply Now externa link icon At Chase’s secure site

Deciding Between Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Amex Blue Cash Everyday

If you spend at least $500 per month at U.S. supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred Card will leave you ahead every year — even after the $95 annual fee kicks in. The exceptional rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets is more than enough to wipe out the annual fee on its own, yet you’ll still earn more rewards in other categories like U.S. streaming services and gas and transit. 

But if your spending isn’t quite enough to maximize that 6% rate, or you simply prefer a cash back card that never charges an annual fee, Blue Cash Everyday offers great value in everyday rewards categories as well. 

Before you decide, evaluate your budget, and take time to compare how each of these cards might fit into your spending plan.

Is it worth upgrading to Blue Cash Preferred card?

Yes, Blue Cash Preferred is worth it for cardholders who spend enough to recoup the value of the card's $95 annual fee (charged from the second year on) in rewards earnings. The easiest way to do that is by spending $3,000 within 6 months of opening an account.

Can I have both blue cash everyday and preferred?

Yes, you can get both the Blue Cash Preferred and the Blue Cash Everyday cards from American Express and have them at the same time. This could help you earn more cash back (in the form of statement credits) overall since the earning categories aren't exactly the same.

Can you upgrade from Blue Cash Everyday to Blue Cash Preferred?

Yes, you can upgrade from Amex Blue Cash Everyday to Blue Cash Preferred.

What is the difference between Amex everyday and preferred?

The Amex EveryDay has a $0 annual fee, while the Amex EveryDay Preferred charges $95 per year. But the Amex EveryDay Preferred offers better rewards: Higher initial bonus offer, earn rates, and a bigger bonus for frequent use. So, it really depends on how much you plan to use your card and what you plan to buy.