American Express Blue Cash Everyday Review: Grocery, Gas and Online Retail Rewards
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Written by
Melanie Pincus
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron
The no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, an advertising partner, offers up to 3% cash back on eligible purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1%), plus a respectable welcome offer and a handful of statement credits and protections.
This cash-back credit card is ideal for those who have significant spending in the card’s 3% bonus categories, and perks such as monthly streaming and Home Chef credits boost the card’s appeal. However, the highest earning rates are capped, and the Reward Dollars you earn can only be applied as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Cash Back
1% – 3% Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
Earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 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.
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
Annual Fee
$0
CardCritics™ Opinion
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card is a strong choice for rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retailers. You’ll be hard-pressed to find stronger rewards in those categories on a no-annual-fee credit card. On the downside, you’ll need good credit or better to qualify for rewards credit cards such as this one.
Our Critical Analysis:
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Comes with competitive cash back rewards categories
- Offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR
- Provides monthly statement credits to help cover eligible streaming service and Home Chef subscriptions (enrollment required)
PROS
- Caps bonus cash back categories at $6,000 spent in each category each year
- Earns a low, 1% base rewards rate
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
CONS
Amex Blue Cash Everyday Benefits
Bonus Cash Back Rewards Categories
With the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card, you can earn:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
- 1% cash back on other eligible purchases Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
When I opened the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card, I was most interested in its 3% cash back rate at supermarkets in the U.S. (on up to $6,000 in spending each year, then 1%). Based on my budget, I knew I wasn’t likely to get anywhere near that $6,000 cap. I don’t own a car, so the gas category isn’t relevant to me, but I also turn to the card for online retail.
0% Introductory APR
New Blue Cash Everyday Card members can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR.
This introductory APR isn’t the longest on the market, but it’s respectable, and it covers both purchases and balance transfers, which isn’t always the case with this kind of offer.
Attainable Welcome Offer
You can unlock a $200 statement credit if you spend at least $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. That comes out to about $333 in spending on the card in each of the first six months.
Streaming and Home Chef Credits
If you subscribe to eligible streaming services or order meal delivery from Home Chef, the Blue Cash Everyday Card can save you money. After enrollment, cardholders receive:
- Up to $84 per year (up to $7 per month) in statement credits toward eligible U.S. Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ subscriptions
- Up to $180 per year (up to $15 per month) in statement credits toward Home Chef subscriptions purchased through homechef.com/blue-cash-everyday
Amex Blue Cash Everyday Drawbacks
Rewards Rate Restrictions
The 3% cash back categories only apply to eligible U.S. purchases. Each reverts to a low 1% rate if you spend at least $6,000 in the category in a given year. That 1% rate also applies outside of bonus categories.
I’ve never broken the $6,000 threshold, so the 1% reversion isn’t an issue for me. That said, I do use another card for purchases outside of bonus categories — the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which offers a 1.5% base rewards rate.
Foreign Transaction Fee Charged
If you’re planning to use this card outside the U.S., the 2.7% foreign transaction fee should be a diversion. A card with no foreign transaction fee is a better bet for international travel.
Limited Protections
The card offers purchase protection to cover theft of or damage to eligible purchases, and secondary car rental insurance, which can reimburse charges your primary insurance doesn’t cover. That’s a fairly limited selection. That said, this isn’t unusual for a no-annual-fee credit card.
Who Is the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card Best For?
Consumers who spend a significant amount (but not more than $6,000 per year) at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations and/or with U.S. online retailers may want to consider this card. If you’re aiming to maximize rewards, you’ll want to pair the Blue Cash Everyday Card with one that earns more than 1% back outside of bonus categories.
This card will also be a better fit if your spending is concentrated within the U.S., since that’s where bonus rewards apply and where you’ll avoid foreign transaction fees.
Is It the Right Card for You?
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card could be the right fit for you if:
- You spend up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations and/or with U.S. online retailers
- Your spending is concentrated within the U.S.
- You’re not looking for robust travel and purchase protections
- You already subscribe to eligible Disney+, ESPN+ or Hulu streaming services, and/or have a Home Chef meal kit subscription
Alternatives to the Blue Cash Everyday
You’ll want to carefully evaluate your spending habits before choosing a rewards credit card. Other strong options for earning cash back on everyday purchases include:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: This no-annual-fee card has a higher base rewards rate than the Blue Cash Everyday Card (1.5% vs. 1%). It’s also a good starter card if you’re looking to get into the Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: This card’s welcome offer is stronger than the Blue Cash Everyday Card’s, and it offers competitive, customizable cash back.
Card Details From American Express
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (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.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
How Does the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card Stack Up Against Competitors?
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card shines in its bonus categories, but competitors may beat it out, depending on your spending habits.
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited Card | Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card | |
| Welcome Offer | Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening | $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR | 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% - 28.24% Variable | Generous intro APR offer available. Select 'Apply Now' to view the current offer terms. |
| Rewards Rate | Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. Earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 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. | Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases | 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category / grocery store / wholesale club quarterly purchases. After the first year from account opening, you'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to the quarterly maximum. 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first year bonus. |
| Standout Feature | Monthly streaming and Home Chef credits | Earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points | Customizable 3% cash back category |
For the Purchase Protection benefit on the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance on the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Frequently Asked Questions About the American Express Blue Cash Everyday
Is Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card hard to get?
As with most other rewards credit cards, you should expect to need at least a good credit score to be eligible to apply for the Blue Cash Everyday Card.
What grocery stores does Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card cover?
Supermarkets located within the U.S. qualify for the Blue Cash Everyday Card’s 3% cash back rewards rate. The “supermarkets” category doesn’t include warehouse clubs, superstores, convenience stores or meal-kit delivery services.
What is the difference between the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card and Blue Cash Everyday Card?
Several differences exist. For instance, the Blue Cash Everyday Card charges no annual fee, while the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, an advertising partner, has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Both cards have a $6,000 annual cap on bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets, but the Blue Cash Preferred Card offers double the bonus rate (6% back).
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
