Are you tired of paying an annual fee just to earn cash back rewards? Look no further than the Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. This card offers high cash back rates on groceries, gas, and online purchases, all without any yearly fees.
TIME’s Take
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card is a reliable option for everyday use, particularly for those who frequently shop online, buy groceries, and fuel up at gas stations. With bonus rates capped at $6,000 per year in these categories, it’s a great rewards card for those whose spending falls within the annual limits or when paired with another everyday spending card. Plus, this card features an introductory APR offer for purchases and balance transfers, making it an excellent choice for financing large purchases or transferring balances from other cards. However, with a foreign transaction fee, it may not be the best option for international travelers.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Bonus cash back rates at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases
- Introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
Cons:
- Earnings capped on bonus spending categories
- Low cash back rate on everyday spending
- Foreign transaction fee
Who is the card for?
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card is perfect for individuals who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee. It’s an ideal choice for consumers who regularly spend money on groceries, gas, and online purchases. Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in each category per year), and 1% cash back on other purchases. However, if your monthly spending varies, you may find better value in cash back cards that offer higher flat-rate rewards.
Features
Sign-up bonus
The card offers a decent sign-up bonus with a generous time frame to meet the spending requirement. You can earn bonus miles with this offer, and once you meet the requirements, you’ll receive a $200 statement credit.
Elevated bonus categories
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card rewards you with bonus cash back in common spending categories found in your monthly budget. Cardholders earn:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in each category, then 1%)
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Cash back is provided as Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits. There’s no minimum redemption amount, and rewards never expire as long as your account is in good standing.
Introductory APR
New cardholders can take advantage of introductory APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. The card offers an introductory APR rate for a specific duration from account opening and a balance transfer introductory APR rate for a certain number of months. After these introductory periods, the card’s regular variable APR comes into effect.
The fine print
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card has various interest rates and fees, including a regular APR, purchase intro APR, and balance transfer intro APR. It also has an annual fee and a balance transfer fee. Make sure to carefully review these details before applying.
Additional perks
While not known for its extensive benefits, the card does offer a few additional perks to enhance the cardholder experience, including:
- Disney Bundle credit: Get a $7 monthly statement credit for subscribing to the Disney Bundle using your card as the payment method.
- Home Chef credit: Enjoy up to $15 in statement credits per month with purchases of a Home Chef subscription using your card.
- American Express Experiences: Access exclusive ticket presales and card member-only events.
- Car rental insurance: Receive secondary car rental loss and damage insurance when renting a car using your card and declining the rental company’s optional insurance coverage.
What could be improved?
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card offers a modest 1% cash back on purchases outside of its bonus spending categories and after hitting annual spending caps. If your spending patterns vary from month to month, consider cash back cards that offer higher flat-rate rewards. Additionally, the card’s benefits are not exceptional, although the Disney Bundle and Home Chef credits can provide value if utilized.
Card alternatives
If you’re looking for alternative options, compare the Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. While both cards offer cash back rewards, they have different reward structures. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers higher cash back rates in various categories but comes with an annual fee. Compare the sign-up bonuses and other features to determine which card suits your needs best.
Bottom line
Although the Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card may not have an abundance of benefits and may not offer the highest cash back rates for everyday spending, it remains a solid choice for individuals who frequently spend money on groceries, gas, and online shopping. With no annual fee, you can maximize your cash back earnings without any added costs. Apply for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday® Card today and start earning cash back on your everyday purchases.