The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 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.
What is the difference between Blue Cash Everyday® and Preferred®?
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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Annual Fee
AnnualFees
AnnualFees
New Cardholder Bonus Offer
Apply and find out your welcome offer. As high as signup_reward cash back after you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card to get started. Once you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount within the first six months, you will receive your cash back in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.
Apply and find out your welcome offer. As high as signup_reward cash back after you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card to get started. Once you spend signup_bonus_spend_amount within the first six months, you will receive your cash back in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.
Rewards
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on U.S. online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); and 1% cash back on other purchases
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases; and 1% cash back on other purchases
Intro 0% APR
Introductory 0% APR for intro_apr_duration on new purchases and balance transfers, then RegAPR
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for intro_apr_duration 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.
Every day cash-back earning
Both the Blue Cash Everyday(R) Card from American Express and Blue Cash Preferred(R) Card from American Express feature tiered rewards, allowing you to earn bonus cash back in specific categories.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card
- 3% cash back: At U.S. supermarkets, on U.S. online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases for each category, then 1%).
- 1% cash back: On all other eligible purchases.
- Redemption: Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
- 6% cash back: At U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% cash back: At U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more).
- 1% cash back: On all other eligible purchases.
➤ SEE MORE: Best credit cards for cash back
Annual fees
The annual fees are a primary differentiator between these two cards. While they share several features, their cost structures appeal to different types of spenders. One card allows you to earn rewards with no out-of-pocket costs, while the other requires an annual investment in exchange for higher cash-back rates.
How the fees compare
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card carries a $0 annual fee, making it a strong choice for those who want to avoid overhead entirely. (See Rates and Fees)
In contrast, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card has a AnnualFees This structure allows you to earn at a higher rate for a full year before deciding if the ongoing cost fits your budget. (See Rates and Fees)
Is the fee worth it?
The Preferred card’s higher rewards (6% vs. 3% at U.S. supermarkets) can often pay for itself if your spending habits align with the bonus categories.
- The break-even point: You need to spend just over $1,500 per year (about $125 per month) at U.S. supermarkets alone to offset the fee.
- Typical household spending: Since many families spend between $300 and $500 per month on groceries, most users will earn enough surplus cash back to cover the fee and still outperform the Everyday card.
Key decision factors
- Choose Blue Cash Everyday® if: You prefer a card with no out-of-pocket costs or if your monthly grocery bill is relatively low.
- Choose Blue Cash Preferred® if: You have a family or spend significantly on groceries, streaming services, and transit. The higher reward tiers typically outweigh the cost for the average user.
➤ LEARN MORE:Blue Cash Everyday® Card review
New cardholder welcome bonus offers
The welcome bonus offers are another noteworthy difference between these two cards. While applying for a new card solely for a bonus isn’t usually advised, the initial cash back can help determine which card better rewards your immediate spending plans.
Both cards currently offer a welcome bonus, but the requirements and potential rewards differ:
Blue Cash Everyday® Card
- The offer: Earn as high as signup_reward cash back.
- The requirement: Spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- How it works: Once you are approved, you will find out your specific offer amount. After meeting the spend threshold, you receive the bonus as Reward Dollars.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
- The offer: Earn as high as signup_reward cash back.
- The requirement: Spend signup_bonus_spend_amount on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- How it works: Similar to the Everyday card, you’ll see your eligible offer upon approval. The bonus is delivered as Reward Dollars after you hit the spending goal.
Important redemption details
Regardless of which card you choose, the welcome bonus is received in the form of Reward Dollars. These are flexible and can be redeemed in two primary ways:
- As a statement credit to lower your monthly bill.
- Directly at Amazon.com checkout to pay for purchases.
Note: Welcome offers vary by applicant and you may not be eligible for all offers. Always check the specific terms and conditions during your application.
➤ LEARN MORE:Blue Cash Preferred® Card review
See Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express; See Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
