Madison Blancaflor is the managing editor for TPG's content operations team. She focuses on helping TPG's broader editorial team bring news, features and advice to readers. She has nearly six years of experience covering the credit cards and travel industries.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
July 8, 2024 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
This article compares two entry-level rewards credit cards that earn transferable points, focusing on their benefits for everyday spending.
Both cards offer access to valuable perks such as shopping protections, car rental coverage and the ability to transfer points to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.
One card provides higher earning rates at supermarkets and gas stations, as well as a more generous introductory bonus, while the other is positioned as a simpler, no-fee option for less frequent users.
The best choice depends on your spending habits, particularly how much you spend at supermarkets and gas stations.
What to consider
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
To justify the higher-earning card, you should spend a certain amount annually at supermarkets; otherwise, the simpler card may be more suitable.
Points are typically most valuable when transferred to travel partners rather than redeemed for cash back or merchandise, per TPG's July 2024 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of earning rates, bonus structures and redemption strategies for each card.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Part of having a well-rounded credit card strategy is maximizing every single purchase and ensuring you’re getting more than 1 point per dollar or 1% cash back. When earning rewards on everyday spending, knowing which card is right for you can be hard.
Let’s break down the card you should choose for the long term, tailored to your specific spending habits and budget.
The information for the Amex EveryDay and Amex EveryDay Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred comparison
Benefit
Amex EveryDay
Amex EveryDay Preferred
Welcome offer
10,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership
15,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership
Annual fee
$0 (see rates and fees)
$95 (see rates and fees)
Bonus earning
2 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar)
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Terms apply
3 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar)
2 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Terms apply
Transaction bonuses
20% more points for making 20 or more purchases in a billing period
50% more points for making 30 or more purchases in a billing period
Travel and shopping protections
Car rental and shopping protections
Car rental and shopping protections
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred welcome offer
Right now, the Amex EveryDay is offering new cardholders 10,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership. The EveryDay Preferred, meanwhile, is offering 15,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership.
These aren't near the highest available card offers on other Amex cards, but they are a good starting point if you want easy points with a new card. $2,000 in six months is a very low spending requirement, too.
Winner: Amex EveryDay Preferred. Its welcome offer is more valuable.
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred benefits
As with all Amex Membership Rewards cards, both cards provide access to perks like ShopRunner's free two-day shipping on eligible orders*, Global Assist Hotline**, and car rental loss** and damage insurance**.
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
These are valuable perks to add to anyone's wallet if you don't already have a card that offers them.
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
***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.
Winner: Tie. The cards offer identical benefits.
Earning points with the Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred
The Amex EveryDay offers 2 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You'll also get 20% more points for making 20 or more purchases in a billing period.
MIXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
The EveryDay Preferred, meanwhile, offers 3 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar),2 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You'll get 50% more points for making 30 or more purchases in a billing period.
Ignoring the 20%-50% bonus and spending in other categories, you'd need to spend at least $4,750 annually — or $396 monthly — at supermarkets to justify the annual fee on the Everyday Preferred (compared to no annual fee on the EveryDay.)
Winner: EveryDay Preferred. Its earnings rates win out.
Redeeming points with the Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred
While these cards may not offer the highest earning rates, they still use Amex's highly valuable Membership Rewards points, widely recognized as some of the most valuable rewards points on the market.
ROB LEWINE/GETTY IMAGES
While you can use your points for cash back, Amazon purchases, Uber rides, gift cards, and other purposes, we usually advise against these options. Transferring your points to a travel partner is typically recommended, as it often yields the highest value for your Amex points (see below).
Winner: Tie. The cards have identical redemption options.
Transferring points with the Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred
The Membership Rewards points you earn can be transferred to 21 airline and hotel partners, including renowned names like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Executive Club.
You'll find that the airline partners cover all major alliances — SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld — allowing you to use your points to book flights on almost any airline.
GETTY
Furthermore, Amex frequently offers transfer bonuses, which means you can potentially enhance the value of your points even further.
TPG points and miles senior writer Ben Smithson likes to transfer his Amex points to Air Canada's Aeroplan program, capitalizing on the airline's fixed-rate redemption partners. He also transfers points to British Airways Executive Club for short flights from the United Kingdom to Europe for under 5,000 points each way on British Airways.
Winner: Tie. The cards have identical transfer options.
Should I get the Amex EveryDay or Amex EveryDay Preferred?
The question of getting the Amex EveryDay or Amex EveryDay Preferred likely comes down to whether you can justify the latter's $95 annual fee. With the card's superior earnings rates and higher welcome offer, most people will be able to get maximum value by going with the Amex EveryDay Preferred. If you don't think you can take advantage of the card's (very easy-to-earn) welcome offer, though, or maximize the card's higher earnings rates, it might make sense to stick with the Amex EveryDay.
Bottom line
Knowing which card is right for you can be difficult, especially when looking at two cards as similar as the Amex EveryDay and Amex EveryDay Preferred. Be sure that you crunch the numbers based on your situation and personal budget.
If you’re not planning on using your card frequently, the no-fee EveryDay is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a card that can maximize rewards at both U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, the Preferred is worthwhile.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
