The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is a popular choice for those who want to earn cash back on their everyday purchases. It offers a straightforward cash back rewards program with no rotating categories or spending limits.
One of the standout benefits of this card is its 3% cash back on groceries, which can be a significant savings for families or individuals who do a lot of shopping for food. This cash back rate applies to the first $6,000 in combined purchases each year, after which the rate drops to 1%.
Another benefit of the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is its 2% cash back on gas, which can help offset the costs of commuting or road trips. This cash back rate also applies to the first $6,000 in combined purchases each year, after which the rate drops to 1%.
The card also offers a 1% cash back on all other purchases, which can still add up over time. Plus, there's no annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn cash back without incurring extra costs.
Quick Facts
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a great option for those looking to earn cashback on their everyday purchases.
The rewards rate is quite generous, offering 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year in each category.
Here are the details on the rewards categories:
To give you a head start, the card offers a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Benefits Overview
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers ongoing cashback, which is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.
This card also provides valuable perks on everyday spending, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their daily purchases.
You can break larger purchases into fixed installments with Plan it, which helps you manage your balances more effectively.
Pay it allows you to quickly pay off small purchases so they don't add to your balance, giving you more control over your spending.
Send & Split enables you to send money to friends or request money from friends that will be applied directly to your card, making it easy to split a tab with friends.
Applying for preapproval won't harm your credit score, and you'll receive a decision in as little as 30 seconds when you're ready to apply officially.
Rewards and Earnings
The Blue Cash Everyday card offers a competitive 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and gas stations, up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. You can also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The card's rewards structure is straightforward, with no rotating categories or complex rules to keep track of. You'll earn 3% cash back on your purchases at U.S. supermarkets up to a maximum of $6,000 in purchases each calendar year, and 1% cash back thereafter.
To maximize your earnings, focus on making purchases in the 3% categories, such as groceries, gas, and online retail purchases. This can add up quickly, with the potential to earn $155 in cash back on groceries, $44 on gas, and $37 on dining out annually.
Here's a breakdown of the potential earnings in each category:
- Groceries: $155
- Gas: $44
- Dining out: $37
- Travel: $22
- Utilities: $49
- General purchases: $40
Total potential earnings: $347
If you optimize your use of the card, you can earn an estimated $547 in the first year of card membership, and $1,935 over five years, when earning the welcome bonus.
0% Intro Apr
The 0% intro APR on the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is a real game-changer. With a 0 percent intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, you can make large purchases or transfer existing balances without worrying about interest charges. This makes it a solid balance transfer credit card option, while also offering the ability to pay off a large purchase over time sans interest.
The 15-month 0 percent intro APR period is a generous offer, giving you plenty of time to pay off your balance without incurring interest. After that, the variable APR of 18.74 percent to 29.74 percent will kick in.
Redeeming Rewards
You can redeem your cash back rewards in various ways, but one of the most convenient options is to request a statement credit. You can do this by logging in to your card account online and selecting Redeem Reward Dollars.
Requests must be made in $25 increments, and the minimum you can request is $25. This means you can redeem your rewards in small chunks if you prefer.
You can also redeem your rewards for gift cards or merchandise from time to time, but this is not a guaranteed option. However, you can always redeem your rewards as a statement credit, which is a reliable and straightforward way to get your cash back.
Here's a breakdown of how you can redeem your rewards:
Overall, redeeming your rewards is a straightforward process that can be done online. Just remember to make requests in $25 increments, and you'll be on your way to getting your cash back.
Protection and Insurance
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card offers some fantastic protections and insurance benefits that can give you peace of mind when making purchases.
You can get reimbursed up to $1,000 per eligible item if it's accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days of the purchase date.
The card also provides dispute resolution assistance if you notice any fraudulent or incorrect charges.
Amex offers car rental loss and damage insurance when you use your card to reserve and pay for a rental, but coverage might not be available in select countries.
There's a limit of $50,000 per card for reimbursement under the purchase protection and insurance benefits.
You can get up to 90 days of coverage for eligible purchases, from the purchase date, for damage or theft.
The purchase protection has a limit of $1,000 per purchase, so you're protected up to that amount.
Fees and Costs
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has no annual fee, which is a great perk for those who want to avoid extra charges.
There is, however, a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, which can add up quickly for frequent travelers.
New cardholders can take advantage of 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, which can provide some breathing room for those who need it.
The regular APR is 18.24%-29.24% variable, which is higher than some other credit cards on the market.
Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening, and there's a balance transfer fee that's either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Fees
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has no annual fee, which is a great perk for those who want to avoid recurring charges.
However, there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, making this card not ideal for frequent travelers.
New cardholders can enjoy 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, but this introductory period comes to an end.
After the intro period, the APR shoots up to 18.24%-29.24% variable, which can be quite steep.
If you need to transfer a balance, there's a fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening, so be sure to plan ahead.
No Annual Fee
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card is a great option for those who want to avoid annual fees. No annual fee means you can keep the card as long as you desire to build your credit history.
You can also expect to pay no annual fee on the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, which is a significant advantage over other cards that charge an annual fee.
Membership Provides
The Blue Cash Everyday Membership provides numerous benefits that can help protect you and your purchases. You can shop more and worry less about Covered Purchases with Purchase Protection, which covers you for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date, subject to the Coverage Limits (up to $1,000 per occurrence, $50,000 per calendar year).
One of the best things about this Membership is the rewards rate. You'll earn 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year in each category, and 1% on all other purchases.
If you're new to the Blue Cash Everyday Card, you'll be eligible for a welcome offer. Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Here's a quick rundown of the rewards rate and welcome offer:
Travel and Experiences
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday offers some travel benefits, but they're relatively limited, especially compared to other American Express cards.
You'll have access to a Global Assist Hotline, which provides support for issues like lost passports, translation services, and emergency legal or medical referrals when you travel 100 miles or more from home.
However, be aware that this card charges a 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee for every purchase made in foreign currency, so it's not the best choice for international travel or online shopping with foreign merchants.
Travel
Travel can be unpredictable, and it's always a good idea to have some support when you're far from home. The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card offers a Global Assist Hotline for members who travel 100 miles or more from home, which can be a big help in case of an emergency.
Representatives are available by phone to assist with lost passports, translation services, missing luggage, and emergency legal or medical referrals. This can be a huge relief if you're in a foreign country and need help navigating the local system.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card has a 2.7 percent foreign transaction fee for every purchase made in foreign currency. This means if you plan to travel abroad or shop online with merchants based abroad, you may want to consider using a different card that doesn't charge these fees.
Amex Experiences
Amex Experiences is a perk offered by American Express that grants cardholders access to exclusive presale tickets and entry into member-only events. This can include Broadway shows, concerts, sporting events, and one-of-a-kind art exhibits.
Cardholders of the Blue Cash Everyday can take advantage of this benefit, giving them a unique opportunity to experience something new and exciting.
Alternatives to the
If you're considering the American Express Blue Cash Everyday benefits, you might also want to explore other cashback credit card options that suit your spending habits.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers higher rewards rates in certain categories, such as entertainment and travel, which may be more beneficial for you.
The Capital One Entertainment purchases category offers 8% cashback, while the Blue Cash Everyday Card doesn't have a specific category for entertainment.
The Capital One Travel category offers 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, whereas the Blue Cash Everyday Card doesn't offer any specific rewards on travel purchases.
You can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The annual fee for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is not specified in the article, but the Blue Cash Everyday Card has an annual fee of $0.
Key Information
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a solid rewards credit card for everyday spenders and families. It has no annual fee.
Cardholders can get a variety of statement credits and also take advantage of the standard benefits that come from American Express. This includes a generous rewards rate for purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases since the card was upgraded in July 2022.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card is one of two main cash back cards offered by American Express. The other is the Blue Cash Preferred Card, which comes with a $95 annual fee.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card is likely a better fit for cardholders who may not earn enough rewards to offset the Blue Cash Preferred's annual fee.
Who Should Get It
If you're looking for a credit card that won't break the bank, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express might be the way to go. You can earn rewards on everyday spending without paying an annual fee.
With this card, you'll get access to standard cardholder perks like global assistance and exclusive experiences. You'll also get some valuable benefits like Disney+ and Home Chef credits.
The annual fee is a non-issue here, so you don't have to stress about whether or not the card is "worth it".
Amex Specific
To maximize the benefits of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, you should focus on offers that are time-sensitive, such as its first-year welcome bonus and zero-interest offer on purchases and balance transfers.
To take full advantage of the card's rewards, cardholders should plan out their spending in order to make the most out of the 3 percent categories. This includes U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. department stores.
For example, U.S. supermarkets are defined as establishments offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products, and pet supplies.
You can earn 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations, but only at merchants in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. This excludes gas stations that are part of supermarkets or warehouse clubs.
If you're a streaming enthusiast, you can earn 3% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, which includes popular services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Audible, Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Netflix, Peacock, Prime Video, and more.
To keep track of the 3 percent categories and any other offers, be sure to regularly check Amex Offers to see if any of the program's current offerings align with your shopping plans or habits.
Here are the eligible categories with their respective definitions:
- U.S. supermarkets: Establishments offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products, and pet supplies
- U.S. gas stations: Merchants in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers (excludes gas stations that are part of supermarkets or warehouse clubs)
- Streaming services: Must be on Amex's list of select U.S. streaming subscriptions, which includes popular services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Audible, Disney+, ESPN+, HBO Max, Netflix, Peacock, Prime Video, and more
- U.S. department stores: Those included on Amex's list of select stores (includes popular retail locations like Bloomingdales, Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Express Blue Cash worth it?
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred is worth it for those with significant spending in U.S. supermarkets, streaming services, and commuting/gas expenses. Its annual fee is a worthwhile investment for those whose spending habits align with its bonus categories.
Does Aldi count as a grocery store for Amex?
Yes, Aldi is considered an eligible supermarket by American Express. According to Amex, Aldi meets the criteria for a U.S. supermarket based on its merchant category code.
Is there $200 bonus for Amex Blue?
Yes, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card offers a $200 statement credit for new cardholders who spend $2,000 in the first 6 months. Earn this bonus by meeting the spending requirement within the promotional period.
What is the cash back on Amex Blue?
For Basic Card Members, Amex Blue offers 3% cash back on the first $6,000 of eligible U.S. supermarket purchases annually, then 1% thereafter.
Is Amex Blue Cash Everyday hard to get?
To get approved for Amex Blue Cash Everyday, you'll need a good credit score of 700+ and a steady income. Meeting these requirements can increase your chances of approval, but having a good credit score is the most critical factor.
Sources
- https://erika.com/blue-cash-everyday-card-from-american-express-review/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/amex-blue-cash-everyday-vs-preferred/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/amex-blue-cash-everyday-benefits-guide/
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/blue-cash-everyday-card-american-express/benefits/
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/credit-intel/amex-blue-cash-everyday-benefits/
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