Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday: Battle of the cash-back cards
Editor's Note
American Express is known for offering some of the best travel 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 (spending caps apply to certain categories). Still, there are other bonus categories to consider between the two cards — along with different earning rates and annual fees.
Here's a breakdown of the benefits provided by both cards to help you decide when choosing one over the other makes sense.
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 spending $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of cardmembership. | Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of cardmembership. |
| Earning rates |
|
|
| Other benefits |
|
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| 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
New Blue Cash Preferred cardmembers can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of cardmembership.Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Everyday card offers a slightly less welcome offer with a lower spending requirement. Cardmembers will earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Both cards also offer an introductory APR offer: Blue Cash Everyday (see rates and fees) offers 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening (variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% after), and Blue Cash Preferred (see rates and fees) offers 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening (variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% after).
Both cards are subject to Amex's application restrictions. American Express may consider factors like how many cards you have open with them and what cards you've had in the past. Luckily, Amex will notify you whether you're eligible for a welcome offer on either of these cards before you submit your application.
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 thereafter, it offers several benefits that can make that fee worth paying.
Cardmembers receive a monthly up to $7 Disney bundle statement credit when spending $9.99 or more each month on a Disney+ subscription when using the Blue Cash Preferred card to pay for an eligible subscription (up to $84 each calendar year). Enrollment is required; terms apply.
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.
Finally, cardmembers can get a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which provides free two-day shipping at hundreds of online retailers (enrollment for the Shoprunner benefit is ending on March 31).
The Blue Cash Everyday card offers mostly the same benefits, all while having no annual fee. The card provides up to $180 in Home Chef credit each calendar year (up to $15 in statement credits back per month; enrollment required, subject to auto-renewal) 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. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Earning cash back with the Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
The Blue Cash Preferred gives cardmembers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that) and on select U.S. streaming services. Cardmembers 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. Cardmembers 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 again that the Blue Cash Preferred carries a $0 introductory annual fee, then $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. Cardmembers for both cards earn cash back in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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 can earn enough rewards with the Blue Cash Preferred to offset the cost of that card's $95 annual fee (after the first year) it's your better option. However, if you are a beginner with rewards cards or a low spender, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday is the way to go.
How to switch from the Blue Cash Preferred to Blue Cash Everyday
Cardmembers of either card can request a product change to the other by either calling Amex customer service or requesting a product change on the Amex mobile app.
It's important to remember that any welcome bonus offers will not apply to those switching between the two credit card products. If you have the Blue Cash Everyday and want the Blue Cash Preferred, it may be a better option to open a separate Blue Cash Preferred instead of product-changing.
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.
To learn more, check out our full reviews 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.