The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is a popular choice for those looking to earn cash back on their everyday purchases. The annual fee for this card is $0, which is a significant advantage for those who want to avoid paying an annual fee.
One of the main benefits of this card is that it has no rotating categories or spending limits, making it easy to earn cash back on your purchases. You can earn 3% cash back on groceries and 2% cash back at gas stations.
The card also offers a 1% cash back on all other purchases, which can add up over time. This means that you can earn cash back on your daily purchases, such as dining out or paying bills.
Overall, the $0 annual fee makes the American Express Blue Cash Everyday a great choice for those who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee.
Earning Rewards
Earning Rewards with the Blue Cash Everyday Card is straightforward. You'll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year.
The card also offers 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent per year. This is a great perk for those who frequently fill up on gas.
You'll earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year. This includes purchases made on websites or digital applications from U.S. retail merchants that sell physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers.
Some examples of online retailers that qualify for 3% cash back include Amazon.com and Walmart.com. However, airline tickets, concert ticket purchases, and food delivery platforms do not qualify for bonus rewards.
Here are the bonus categories and their corresponding cash back rates:
Keep in mind that these bonus categories have spending limits of $6,000 per year, after which the cash back rate drops to 1%.
Key Features
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is fairly basic, but it does have some key features worth noting. The card offers a 3% bonus in certain categories, which can be a significant perk for those who regularly make purchases in those areas.
One of the standout features of this card is its no annual fee. This makes it a great option for those who want to avoid paying an annual fee, but still want to earn rewards on their purchases.
Beyond the 3% bonus categories, there aren't many ancillary benefits to speak of. However, the card's simplicity can be a good thing, especially for those who are just starting to build their credit or want a straightforward rewards experience.
Rewards and Benefits
The Blue Cash Everyday card from American Express offers a rewards program that's straightforward and easy to understand. You'll earn cash back in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
The card has a handful of bonus categories, including 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases. These categories are particularly useful, as they cover common household expenses.
Online retail purchases include purchases made on a website or a digital application from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers. This includes major retailers like Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
However, there are some exceptions to the online retail purchases category, including airline tickets, concert ticket purchases, food delivery platforms, online grocery orders, rideshare services, and streaming services.
One of the benefits of the Blue Cash Everyday card is that you can redeem your Reward Dollars for statement credits in any amount with no redemption minimum. You can also redeem your Reward Dollars at Amazon.com checkout.
Here are the key benefits of the Blue Cash Everyday card:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1%)
- Access to Amex Offers, which earn you statement credits or extra points on purchases with a wide variety of merchants
It's worth noting that the Blue Cash Everyday card has no annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn cash back without incurring additional costs.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive rewards program, you may want to consider upgrading to the Blue Cash Everyday Preferred card, which offers higher cash back percentages and additional benefits. However, this card comes with a $95 annual fee, so it's essential to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
Card Comparison
If you're considering the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card, it's essential to weigh its benefits against its drawbacks, including the annual fee. The card has a $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees) annual fee, which is one of the highest in the category.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is another option worth considering, with a higher rate of cash back on some categories, including U.S. supermarkets (6% back on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% back) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions (6% back).
Here are some alternative cash-back credit cards to consider:
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns up to 8% cash back on select entertainment and 5% back on select travel
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers a higher cash back rate on purchases
- Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers a higher cash back rate on purchases
Some cardholders on Reddit have mentioned a preference for Amex customer service over Capital One. However, both issuers offer perfectly adequate support for their credit cards.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a few drawbacks to consider, including the annual fee, lack of travel rewards, and grocery spending cap. Here's a comparison of the Blue Cash Preferred Card with other cash back cards:
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Discover it Cash Back Card
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs. Citi Double Cash Card
To get the most out of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, it's essential to spend at least $1,000 a month on your card to make it worthwhile.
Payment and Upgrade
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card has a $0 annual fee for the first year, but it increases to $0 annually after that. This is a relatively low fee compared to other cash back credit cards on the market.
To upgrade to the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card, you'll need to meet certain requirements. The Preferred card has a higher annual fee of $95, but it offers a higher cash back rate on groceries and other purchases.
If you're looking to upgrade, it's worth considering the benefits of the Preferred card, such as a higher cash back rate on groceries and other purchases.
Make Timely Payments
Making timely payments is crucial to avoid any unnecessary fees. The Blue Cash Everyday Card charges a late fee if you miss a payment.
This fee is pretty standard, so it's essential to make payments on time. The card charges a high penalty APR for at least six months after your late payment.
The good news is that if you pay your balance off in full soon after, the penalty APR doesn't matter. You'll just have to pay the late fee and get back on track.
To avoid this, it's a good idea to set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you never miss a payment. This way, you can avoid the late fee and any potential interest charges.
Preferred Upgrade
The Blue Cash Preferred card is a more comprehensive option that offers higher cash back percentages compared to the Blue Cash Everyday card.
To get the benefits of the Blue Cash Preferred card, you'll need to pay a $95 annual fee, which is a significant difference from the free Blue Cash Everyday card.
The Blue Cash Preferred card offers 6% cash back at US supermarkets, 6% back on select US streaming subscription services, 3% at US gas stations, and 3% on transit, including taxis, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and rideshares like Lyft and Uber.
In contrast, the Blue Cash Everyday card offers 3% cash back at US supermarkets, 2% at US gas stations and select department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
To make the Blue Cash Preferred card worthwhile, you should probably spend at least $1,000 a month on your card, according to the article.
Here's a comparison of the two cards:
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Review
Our review process is designed to give you a clear picture of what to expect from the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card. We evaluate all credit cards using our credit card rating methodology, which prioritizes annual fee, welcome bonus, ongoing rewards, other benefits and features, and ease of use.
We rate each factor from 1 to 5, and each accounts for 20% of the card's overall rating. This ensures that we consider all the important details when reviewing a card.
Our ratings are based on facts, not opinions or biases. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions.
We've developed a thorough methodology to ensure consistency and fairness in our reviews. This approach helps us provide you with reliable information to make the best choice for your financial needs.
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We regularly update our information to reflect changes in the market and card offerings. However, please note that offers and terms are subject to change, so it's essential to verify the information before making a decision.
Consumer Insights
Based on the feedback from Reddit cardholders who have the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, one thing is clear: this card is a great choice for those who spend a lot on groceries and gas.
Cardholders rave about the 3% cash back on groceries, with some mentioning they save hundreds of dollars per year on their grocery bills.
Many users also appreciate the 2% cash back on gas purchases, which can add up quickly for those who drive frequently.
Some cardholders mention that the 1% cash back on other purchases is still a decent return, even if it's not as high as the rewards on groceries and gas.
Overall, the Blue Cash Everyday Card seems to be a solid option for those who want a simple, no-frills rewards card that still offers some great benefits.
American Express
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is a great option for everyday spenders, especially since it has no annual fee, allowing you to start using it without any extra costs.
To get the most out of this card, you'll want to spend over $1,000 a month, as this is when you may consider upgrading to the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, which offers 6% cash back at US supermarkets.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card comes with a $95 fee, making the Blue Cash Everyday card a more budget-friendly choice initially.
You can earn 6% cash back on US supermarket purchases up to $6,000 per year with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, but after that, the cash back rate drops to 1%.
If you're not planning on spending a lot at US supermarkets, it's best to stick with the Blue Cash Everyday card and avoid the $95 fee associated with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amex Blue card worth it?
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is worth it for those with significant spending in bonus categories like supermarkets, streaming services, and gas expenses. Its annual fee is a worthwhile investment for those who align their spending habits with the card's rewards.
Sources
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/blue-cash-everyday-annual-fee-1000318-2140704684/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/blue-cash-everyday/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/blue-cash-everyday-amex-card-review
- https://www.financialsamurai.com/blue-cash-everyday-card-from-american-express/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-preferred-card/
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