Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Blue Cash Preferred: Do you want points or cash-back?
Editor's Note
American Express fields a diverse range of rewards credit cards, with options ranging from cash-back cards to premium products with benefits such as airport lounge access and annual travel statement credits.
Right in the middle of the pack are the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Amex EveryDay Preferred® Credit Card from American Express (no longer open to new applicants).
The first earns cash back of between 1% and 6% on purchases (select 6% purchases are subject to a spending cap); the latter earns Membership Rewards points that you can transfer to Amex's more than 21 airline and hotel partners. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or Amazon.com checkout.
Here's how the two cards compare.
The information for the Amex Everyday Preferred Credit Card 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 Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred comparison
| The Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card from American Express | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | No welcome offer. No longer open to new applicants. | Earn a $250 statement credit back after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. |
| Earning |
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| Redemptions |
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| Other benefits |
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Now for the details on each card and their respective benefits.
Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred welcome offer
Let's get to the first major difference between the cards.
New Blue Cash Preferred cardmembers can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases on their new card within the first six months.
Meanwhile, the Amex Everyday Preferred is closed to new applicants, and therefore, there is no welcome offer available. When the card was available, it typically offered 15,000 American Express Membership Rewards points, which, according to TPG's December 2024 valuations, made the welcome offer worth $300.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred. The Amex Everyday Preferred is no longer available for new applicants, so it doesn't have a welcome offer.
Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits
Neither of these cards is packed with perks, but there are a few.
Both offer secondary car rental insurance,* return protection,** purchase protection,** extended warranty** and Amex Offers discounts.
The Blue Cash Preferred offers a complimentary ShopRunner membership.
With the Blue Cash Preferred, you'll also earn up to $84 each calendar year (up to $7 each month) in statement credits toward an eligible subscription (subject to auto-renewal) to the Disney Bundle of $9.99 or more each month. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred, with its superior list of perks.
*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 rewards with the Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
When it comes to cash-back credit cards, the Blue Cash Preferred is a top all-around earner. The card racks up multiple percentage points in numerous categories, including:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year; then 1%)
- 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit (including parking, tolls, ride-hailing services and subways)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back everywhere else
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
There are two things to pinpoint about this earning formula. First, it features a wide array of bonus-eligible categories where consumers tend to spend a lot, such as U.S. supermarkets and gas, which can really rack up statement credits quickly.
Second, getting 6% cash back, even on a single category, is a phenomenal rate of return. You probably won't see a huge return on your spending for streaming services unless you subscribe to many of them, but the grocery bonus could net you $360 cash back if you max it out each year.
The Amex EveryDay Preferred offers some pretty attractive bonus opportunities as well. The card accrues 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 2 points per dollar with no cap at gas stations and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
And, for every billing cycle in which you use your card to make 30 purchases or more, you'll get a 50% points bonus. That brings your potential earnings up to 4.5 points per dollar at supermarkets and 3 points per dollar at gas stations.
Since these are full Membership Rewards points, we peg those figures at 4%-9.5% return on spending in the bonus categories and 2-3% back on everyday spending based on TPG's December 2024 valuations. Nonetheless, how much value you get from your Membership Rewards points will really depend on how you redeem them.
Winner: Amex EveryDay Preferred, given its high earnings rates and the value of Amex points.
Redeeming rewards with the Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
With the Blue Cash Preferred Card, you can redeem your rewards for cash back (with no minimum redemption amount) in one of three ways:
- Receive a statement credit
- Redeem for gift cards
- Shop with your rewards
The best strategy is usually to redeem for a statement credit since you can buy gift cards from a retailer with your credit card, earn even more cash back on those purchases and then redeem your points for those purchases.
With the Amex EveryDay Preferred, you earn American Express Membership Rewards points; the best way to use them is to transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
You can also make direct redemptions of your points, like for cash back, but this is not usually a great deal. For flights booked through AmexTravel.com, you get a rate of 1 cent apiece, but just 0.7 cents per point for other bookings such as hotels and car rentals. For statement credits against purchases, you only get 0.6 cents per point and around 0.7 cents per point on Amazon.com purchases.
Winner: Amex EveryDay Preferred. The Blue Cash Preferred is hard to beat if you want cash back. However, for the versatility of being able to transfer your points to airline and hotel partners or book directly through Amex Travel, you can't beat valuable Membership Rewards points.
Transferring rewards with the Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Cash back earned on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred can't be transferred to another American Express credit card that earns Membership Rewards points.
The best value from the points you earn on the EveryDay Preferred comes from transferring your Amex points to Amex's 21 airline and hotel partner programs, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
TPG managing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt likes to convert his Amex points during frequent transfer bonus promotions and redeem them for long-haul business-class tickets.
Winner: Amex EveryDay Preferred. The Blue Cash Preferred's rewards can't be transferred to Amex's hotel and airline partners.
Should I get the Amex EveryDay Preferred or Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash-back credit cards available from any issuer, thanks to its high earn rates at U.S. supermarkets and on streaming services for a reasonable annual fee. Unfortunately, the Amex EveryDay Preferred is closed to new applicants. The only time there's a choice here is if you're considering closing the EveryDay Preferred in favor of the Blue Cash Preferred.
Bottom line
The Amex EveryDay Preferred and the Blue Cash Preferred can offer value for you, whether you're a serious traveler or someone who prefers cash back. They also have similar annual fees, earning structures and benefits to boot.
Which card is right depends on how you aim to redeem your rewards. If you want to earn both cash back and Amex points, then both cards could fit your wallet.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Amex EveryDay Preferred and Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply here: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.