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What is the difference between Blue Cash Everyday® and Preferred®?
The CardName and CardName are two popular cash-back credit cards both offering bonus rewards on purchases in common everyday categories such as at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. At first glance these cards may seem quite similar; however, there are some important details between the two to be aware of. For example: one has an annual fee, and one doesn’t; they each have welcome bonus offers, but one is more lucrative; they both feature intro 0% APR periods, but one offer is longer; etc. Which card is best for you will depend on how you anticipate using it. Read on to learn more about the numerous similarities, and differences, between these top-ranking cash-back contenders. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Everyday cash-back earning
Both the CardName and CardName cards earn tiered cash-back rewards, which allows you to earn bonus cash back in specific categories. With the Blue Cash Everyday® card you can earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%), and 1% back on other eligible purchases.
This is lower-earning cash-back potential compared to the Blue Cash Preferred® card, which earns 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually (then 1%), unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations, and 1% back on everything else. Additionally, cardholders can also earn 6% back on select U.S. streaming services and 3% back on transit purchases.
New cardholder welcome bonus offer
Another noteworthy difference between these two cards is the welcome bonus offered to new cardholders. While applying for a new card for the express purpose of getting a bonus is not advised, bonus cash back can still play an important role in deciding which card is right for you.
Both cards are currently offering the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus, however at slightly different rates.
The CardName is currently offering new cardholders the opportunity to earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. CardName cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit once spending $3,000 within the same time frame.
Annual fees
The CardName card with higher cash-back earning potential and a more generous welcome bonus offer may appear to be the superior card; however, upon further inspection, the story becomes a little more nuanced. One of the benefits that the CardName card has, that its Preferred® counterpart does not, is no annual fee (See Rates and Fees). For those who don’t want to have out-of-pocket expenses just to have a particular card in your wallet, this is a big benefit to the Blue Cash Everyday® card. The Blue Cash Preferred® charges a AnnualFees (See Rates and Fees)
When deciding between these two cards, ultimately it comes down to your spending habits and if you mind having an annual fee. For example, if you spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets, it’d likely be worth springing for the Blue Cash Preferred® card, even though it carries an annual fee. You’ll earn more rewards in more categories, and if you’re using it often, the annual fee shouldn’t be hard to offset. It takes just over $1,500 spent a year at U.S. supermarkets alone to offset the annual fee. Considering the fact that many families spend $300, $400, or even $500 or more a month at supermarkets, offsetting this cost could be a breeze for many cardholders.
To learn more about how these cards match up, check out the table below to compare the various rewards, benefits, features, and fees associated with each.
Blue Cash Everyday® vs. Preferred®
Annual Fee
AnnualFees
AnnualFees
New Cardholder Bonus Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
Rewards
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%), and 1% back on other eligible purchases
6% cash back when you use your card at participating U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 and then 1% cash back thereafter) and on select U.S. streaming services; unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases; and 1% back on other eligible purchases
Intro 0% APR
Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers, then RegAPR
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening , then RegAPR
Foreign Transaction Fees
foreign_fee in U.S. dollars
foreign_fee in U.S. dollars
Travel Benefits
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance- When you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter, you can be covered if the car is damaged or stolen.
- Global Assist Hotline- When you travel more than 100 miles from home, you have 24/7 access to medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services, including medical and legal referrals, assistance with cash wires, passport replacement, missing luggage and more.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance- When you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter, you can be covered if the car is damaged or stolen.
- Global Assist Hotline- When you travel more than 100 miles from home, you have 24/7 access to medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services, including medical and legal referrals, assistance with cash wires, passport replacement, missing luggage and more.
Purchase Protection
- Return Protection: Eligible items purchased with the Blue Cash Everyday® card may receive return protection for up to 90 days from the date of the purchase.
- Return Protection- With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express Card.
Account Protection
- Fraud Protection- When you use your American Express card, you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges. If you see a charge that you think is fraudulent, just call us at the number on the back of your card. There’s no deductible, so you can use your card with confidence.
- Fraud Protection- When you use your American Express card, you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges. If you see a charge that you think is fraudulent, just call us at the number on the back of your card. There’s no deductible, so you can use your card with confidence.
For a full synopsis of each card see our CardName and CardName.
See Rates and Fees for the CardName; See Rates and Fees for the CardName
