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Updated March 15, 2019

What's The Catch? Blue Cash Everyday Review

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by the card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
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If you want a cash back credit card with the same rewards categories year-round, then consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

Pros and Cons

  • Bonus cash back
  • 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6k/year in purchases, then 1%)
  • No annual fee
  • Not a Visa/MasterCard

Bottom Line

Great cash back card for cardholders who pay in full

LOOKING FOR AN EVERYDAY CREDIT CARD?

Here's why you may want to consider this credit card:

  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
    3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • No annual fee

Note: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

WHO THIS CARD IS RIGHT FOR

  • If you eat at home a lot: You earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a year in purchases (then 1% after that).

    Counterpoint: If you spend more than $61/week on groceries, consider the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express instead. The Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases as well) but has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee . Note: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Read our review for this card.

  • If you shop online a lot: You earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.

Bonus Cash Back

  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

Cash Back: What You Need to Know About Rewards

Here's why this card is a standout:

The Blue Cash Everyday Card stands out because their rewards structure is simpler to follow than many other cash back credit cards that change rewards categories four times a year. It can be tough to keep up with which credit card has which rewards at any given time. This Amex card has a much simpler structure without rotating bonus categories to think about.

Cardholders receive extra cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases, some of the most common expenses for many families. As its name implies, using this card on "everyday" purchases really makes the cash start to add up.

Redemption is also straightforward: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

CAN YOU GET BETTER REWARDS WITH ANOTHER AMEX CARD?

While you could get higher percentages for some purchase categories with other American Express cards, those cards often have an annual fee. Can't decide between the Blue Cash Everyday and another Amex card? Take a look at your purchases in the past 3 months and see how much you would have earned with this card versus another one.

Did you buy a lot of groceries? Or spend a lot at the gas pump? It's important to consider whether your estimated rewards would make up for an annual fee. If so, you may want to consider the Blue Cash Preferred.

Supermarket List: What is a "U.S. Supermarket"?

It may seem obvious, but the definition of a "supermarket" can actually differ according to the credit card company. American Express considers a supermarket as a store that offers a variety of food and household products, including produce, meat, and dairy as well as cleaners and pet food.

Chances are if a store sells groceries in addition to clothes and electronics, it is not - in Amex's view - a supermarket. So-called big-box stores (like Wal-Mart and Target), online superstores (like Amazon), and warehouses (like Costco) are NOT considered supermarkets. Your mom-and-pop corner grocery store or specialty shop that only sells cheese or meat are also NOT considered supermarkets. Retailers that qualify include Whole Foods, Meijer, Shoprite, Winn-Dixie, Stop and Shop, Vons, Pathmark, and online supermarket FreshDirect, among others.

Gas Station List: What is a "U.S. Gas Station"?

The good news about this card's cash back for gas station purchases is it goes beyond just gas. If the gas station you frequent also functions as a convenience store, consider using your Amex at the pump and inside the store to get your milk or other last-minute items (but keep in mind that items you buy in a gas-station store are usually more expensive than the same items at other merchants).

Amex views qualifying gas stations as those in the United States that primarily sell gasoline, so supermarkets (like Safeway) and warehouse clubs (like Costco) do NOT fall into this category even if they have their own pumps. Shell, Mobil, Hess, Exxon, Gulf, and Murphy are some of the gas stations where you can get 3% back with this card.

Foreign Transaction Fee

Unfortunately, the Blue Cash Everyday has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee , so it will charge you extra on every purchase you make with it outside the U.S. If you plan to travel internationally, you'll need to remember to bring a no foreign transaction fee credit card with you.

Pros

  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
    3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
    Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Not a Visa/MasterCard
  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee

HOW IT COMPARES

How About the Blue Cash Preferred? If you spend more than $3,167/year (or ~$61/week) at U.S. supermarkets, consider the Blue Cash Preferred, which offers 6% at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%). Note: Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee.

How About Chase Freedom? If you prefer a Visa credit card, consider Chase Freedom, a no annual fee, cash back credit card.

 

Blue Cash Everyday

 

Interest Rates and Fees

Introductory APR for Purchases0% introductory APR on Purchases for 15 months
Introductory APR for Balance Transfers0% introductory APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
Purchase APR18.24% to 29.24% Variable based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Balance Transfers APR18.24% to 29.24% Variable based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Annual Fee$0 annual fee
 

Benefits and Features

Cash Back DealEarn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Cash Back3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Gas3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Grocery3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets 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.

Blue Cash Everyday: Pricing information including interest rates, benefits and fees was obtained on December 19, 2024 from published websites and is believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.

Disclaimer: The information for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has been collected independently by CreditDonkey. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How about Chase Freedom Unlimited®? If you prefer a Visa credit card that earns 1.5% on all purchases, then consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Bottom Line

Blue Cash Everyday is a good credit card for people who pay their balance in full each month and want cash back without the complexity of rotating rewards categories. Remember, as with all credit card offers, terms and limitations do apply.

Meghan C is a contributing writer at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Meghan C at meghan@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. This site may be compensated through the Advertiser's affiliate programs.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Chase. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Chase. This site may be compensated through the Advertiser's affiliate programs.

Disclaimer: The information for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, and Chase Freedom has been collected independently by CreditDonkey. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.


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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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