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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
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.
Reviews
Amex EveryDay card review: Dip your toes into the world of Membership Rewards
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
March 7, 2025 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A discontinued entry-level travel card once provided full access to a major transferable points program without a recurring fee.
The card offered modest earning rates and limited perks, making it a basic option for beginners.
Its main appeal was the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, maximizing value for travel redemptions.
The card is no longer available to new applicants, but existing cardholders retain its benefits.
What to consider
No welcome bonus or new applications are available, as the product has been discontinued.
Points are most valuable when transferred to airline or hotel partners, with valuations at 2 cents each as of March 2025 per TPG's valuations.
Enrollment is required for select benefits, and the card's earning structure is less competitive than some alternatives.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of similar starter travel cards and strategies for maximizing transferable points value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is a solid card for beginner travelers who can’t yet justify an annual fee. While the earning rate and other perks are nothing to write home about, it still grants full access to the popular Membership Rewards program. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
I remember the thrill of getting my first travel credit card, earning the welcome bonus and using it to book my first award flight redemption. Growing up in a family that didn’t believe in credit cards, it was the first time I’d seen firsthand how the right card could help me see and do things that my budget otherwise couldn’t accommodate.
Starter travel rewards cards like the Amex EveryDay Credit Card have the power to show beginners what they can do with some strategic card spending.
The Amex EveryDay card doesn't charge an annual fee and we previously recommended applicants have a credit score of 670 or so to increase their chances of getting approved. However, this card has been discontinued and is no longer accepting new applicants.
With that in mind, let’s walk through Amex’s introductory card for its Membership Rewards program.
The information for the Amex EveryDay 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 pros and cons
Pros
Cons
No annual fee
Decent earning rates
Limited benefits
Not available to new applicants
Amex EveryDay welcome offer
Because this card is no longer available to new applicants, you won't be able to earn a welcome bonus.
The welcome offer on this card was previously 10,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months. According to TPG's March 2025 valuations, the bonus was worth $200, which is on par with similar no-annual-fee cards. At best, this was a modest offer, but it was easy to achieve and gave you a nice head start on earning with the card.
This is a starter credit card, so it doesn’t offer many perks. However, two key benefits give this card a leg up on its competition.
Unlike most no-annual-fee cards, the Amex EveryDay gives you full access to the Membership Rewards program and all the value that comes with it. That means you don't even need another Amex card to take advantage of the issuer's transfer partners. While you may not have a lucrative earning structure with this card, you are earning some of the most valuable points available.
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Also, as with all Amex Membership Rewards cards, you’ll get access to the Global Assist Hotline and car rental loss and damage insurance. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Amex Travel and on their first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per year (then 1 point per dollar after that) and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
It’s not a particularly exciting earning rate, but if you max out the supermarket bonus category alone, that’s $240 in rewards value throughout the year, according to TPG's March 2025 valuations.
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You’ll also get a unique 20% bonus on all spending when you make 20 or more purchases in a month. Terms apply.
Assuming you hit that threshold every month, you’ll earn 2.4 points per dollar on Amex Travel and supermarket spending (a nice 4.8% return) and 1.2 points per dollar (2.4% return) on everyday spending based on TPG's March 2025 valuations.
With Membership Rewards, you can get a lot of value from each point.
You'll get 1 cent per point when you redeem the points directly for airfare at Amex Travel and less than 1 cent per point when redeeming for hotel rooms or other travel.
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While you can use your points as cash back, Amazon purchases, gift cards and more, you’ll ultimately get the best value when you redeem your points for travel. Specifically, you can maximize your points by utilizing Amex’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
Transferring rewards on the Amex EveryDay
TPG's March 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, thanks largely to the program's airline and hotel transfer partners. Those include at least one helpful option in each major airline alliance (SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld).
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt likes to transfer and redeem his Membership Rewards points by taking advantage of transfer bonuses. He especially loves to transfer his points to Iberia Plus for lie-flat seats to Madrid.
If you prefer Chase: The (see rates and fees) has a $95 annual fee and earns bonus points on travel, dining, gas and electric vehicle charging, vacation homes at top brands*, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excludes Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs). For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you prefer cash back: Look into the . You'll earn bonus cash back on grocery, streaming, gas and transit purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. The Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and is $95 each year thereafter (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred.
If you want more Amex perks: The has an annual fee of $325 (see rates and fees) but has elevated earnings on dining and grocery purchases. The card also comes with numerous dining-related credits and benefits. Enrollment is required for select benefits. For more information, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
All in all, this is not a bad travel card for beginners in the points world because you’re earning valuable Membership Rewards on eligible travel and supermarket purchases without paying an annual fee.
While there are other starter cards with higher earning rates, the rewards you earn won’t be as valuable until you pair those cards with a higher-tier card down the line.
Bottom line
If you want to get started with travel rewards, you can do much worse than the Amex EveryDay card.
You can't go wrong with Amex Membership Rewards cards, as they're some of the most valuable points on the market, and this is the perfect introduction to that program.
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.
