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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Amex EveryDay Preferred vs. Blue Cash Preferred: Do you want points or cash-back?
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.
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
also contributed to this story
December 11, 2024 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
The article compares two mid-tier rewards cards, one focused on cash-back and the other on transferable points for travel.
One card is no longer available to new applicants, while the other offers a welcome bonus for eligible new cardholders.
Both cards provide bonus rewards at supermarkets and gas stations, but differ in redemption options and flexibility.
The cash-back card stands out for high returns at supermarkets and streaming services, while the points card offers greater versatility for travel redemptions.
What to consider
The points-focused card is closed to new applicants, limiting choices for new users.
Cash-back rewards are issued as statement credits or can be used at select online merchants.
Bonus categories have annual spending caps, and redemption values vary depending on how rewards are used, with points transfers often yielding the highest value per TPG's December 2024 valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side breakdown of earning rates, redemption strategies and which card best fits different spending and travel goals.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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 20 airline and hotel partners. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at 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.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Earning
3 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent
2 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations
1 point per dollar everywhere else
50% bonus points every billing period with 30 or more purchases
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations
1% cash back on everything else
Redemptions
Transfer to airline and hotel partners
Statement credits
Cash back for statement credits, gift cards, direct shopping
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Other benefits
Travel and shopping protections
Amex Offers
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
Travel and shopping protections
Amex Offers
Complimentary ShopRunner membership
Up to $120 each calendar year in statement credits toward Disney Streaming purchases (up to $10 per month; valid at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites; subject to auto-renewal)
Enrollment is required for select benefit.
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 find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
THE POINTS GUY
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.
The Blue Cash Preferred offers a complimentary ShopRunner membership.
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
With the Blue Cash Preferred, you'll also earn up to $120 each calendar year (up to $10 each month) in statement credits toward Disney Streaming purchases. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com in the U.S. Enrollment is required; subject tot auto-renewal.
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%)
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and 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.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
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.
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.
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.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.
Comments
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.
