Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 2024 Review
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 2024 Review

Cash back on everyday purchases, with rewards weighted towards groceries, gas, and online purchases. Is it the right card for your needs?
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: July 27, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: July 27, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday

Rewards Plan

1-3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%

Welcome Bonus

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

Our Rating

4.2
4.2/5

Intro APR

15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% – 29.99% Variable
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Rewards Plan

1-3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%

Welcome Bonus

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

Our Rating

4.2
4.2/5

PROS

CONS

APR

19.24% - 29.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$0

0% Intro

15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening

Credit Requirements

Good – Excellent

As the name suggests, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is a great everyday credit card. It has a tiered reward structure that allows you to earn cash back on practically any purchase, with rewards weighted towards groceries, gas, and online purchases. The card earns 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.

The card also has no annual fee (See rates & fees) and a welcome bonus with modest spending requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are not particularly high spenders, but who want to earn decent rewards.

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good option if you’re carrying a credit card balance or planning a large purchase, as there is 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening (After that, 19.24% – 29.99% Variable variable APR). This will allow you to cover the cost or pay down the balance without paying any interest.

While the Blue Cash Everyday may not offer the high rewards of its sibling card the Blue Cash Preferred, you won’t need to pay an annual fee, making it a little more user friendly for those who are not confident that they will spend sufficient amounts to earn enough rewards to make the fee worthwhile.

Can I add an authorized user?

Yes. You can add authorized users to your account and request additional cards. Your authorized users need to be aged 13 or older and have never had a default American Express account.

You can add authorized users to your account using the online dashboard or by calling the customer support line.

Can I get pre-approved on the Blue Cash Everyday card?

Although there is an option to check for  pre approval offers on the main application form. The American Express website also has a separate login for those who are responding to mailers.

This will allow you to confirm if you qualify for pre approval without requiring a hard credit pull

Does American Express ask for proof of income?

In most cases, American Express will not ask for proof of income. However, in some circumstances, American Express may need to confirm your income level and whether you can meet your current and future financial obligations.

If this is necessary, you should receive an email with instructions of what is required, such as copies of pay stubs, and how you can submit them to support your application.

How's American Express digital experience?

Yes, American Express has an excellent app and a superb website that provide a great digital experience. Whether you want to manage your account on the go or have a query, the layout of both platforms is intuitive and clean, providing an excellent user experience.

Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

American Express Blue Cash Everyday
American Express Blue Cash Everyday (Screenshot from American Express app)

In this Review..

Pros & Cons

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Blue Cash Everyday Card:

Pros
Cons
Welcome Bonus
Spending Caps
0% Intro APR
Foreign Transaction Fee
Additional Cardholder Perks
Reward Redemption Limitation
American Express Benefits
No Annual Fee
Car Rental Coverage

American Express Blue Cash Everyday offers a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

The introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening can be beneficial for those looking to make large purchases or transfer balances without accruing interest initially.

The card comes with valuable perks such as a ShopRunner membership for free two-day shipping and a Disney Bundle credit, providing extra value beyond cash back rewards.

Cardholders can access benefits like Pay It, Plan It, American Express Experiences, and Global Assist® Hotline, enhancing the overall cardholder experience. Cardholders can also freeze card anytime via app.

American Express freeze card
(Screenshot from American Express app)

One of the major advantages is the absence of an annual fee, providing cardholders with cash back benefits without an additional cost.

If you use your Blue Cash Everyday card to reserve and pay for your rental car,. You’ll be covered for theft of or damage to a rental vehicle coverage. This is secondary coverage, but you can decline the potentially costly collision waiver damage at the rental cover counter with confidence.

The card has a $6,000 spending cap per year on the 3% cash back categories, which may limit rewards for high spenders in those specific areas.

American Express has less acceptance internationally compared to Mastercard and Visa. Additionally, there is a 2.7% fee for international purchases

Rewards earned in the form of “Reward Dollars” can only be redeemed as statement credits or gift cards, limiting flexibility compared to other cash back cards.

Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?

The best way to see if Blue Cash Everyday is the right choice for your needs is to calculate the number of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn. 

Remember that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your consumer preferences and spending habits.

Amex-Blue-Cash-everyday
Spend Per Category
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$270
$5,000 – Restaurants
$50
$2,000 – Airline
$20
$2,000 – Hotels
$20
$4,000 – Gas
$40
Estimated Annual Value
$400

How to Maximize Your Blue Cash Everyday Card?

Since this card is designed for everyday purchases, you shouldn’t need to radically change your spending habits to maximize your card benefits.

However, there are few simple things that you can do to make the most of your card. These include:

  • Sign Up for a Disney Bundle: You’ll get statement credit to offset the cost of your subscription when you pay for it with your card. So, if you’re not already subscribed, sign up, but if you are, make sure you change your payment method to your new Blue Cash Everyday card.
  • Sign Up for Home Chef Credit: Likewise, if you’re considering a meal kit subscription, you’ll get statement credit with Home Chef.
  • Watch for the Spending Caps: While the Blue Cash Everyday card does offer generous rewards for gas, groceries and online purchases, these categories all have a spending cap. After you exceed this cap, your rewards will drop back to the standard 1%. So, monitor your spending in these categories and if you’re close to reaching the spending cap, consider using another more generous card to continue getting great rewards.
  • Book Car Rentals with Your Card: This is a fairly standard option with many credit cards, but having additional coverage is a nice perk that will kick in if you reserve and pay for your rental cars with your card.
American Express Travel rent a car
(Screenshot from American Express app)

Redemption Options

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a straightforward redemption system. Rewards earned with the card are in the form of “Reward Dollars,” and cardholders have the following redemption options:

  • Statement Credits: Reward Dollars can be redeemed as statement credits, which reduce the total balance on the credit card account. This is a simple way to offset purchases made with the card.

  • Gift Cards: Cardholders have the option to redeem Reward Dollars for gift cards from various retailers. This provides flexibility in choosing where to use the rewards.

It's important to note that unlike some other cash back cards, the Blue Cash Everyday card does not offer options for direct deposit into a bank account or checks.

American Express cashback redeem rewards
(Screenshot from American Express app)

Customer Service

American Express has a decent reputation for offering strong customer service. You can speak to a member of the customer support team 24/7 both via the phone helpline or online.

American Express also has a highly rated app that is suitable for both Android and iOS devices on Google Play and the Apple Store respectively. This allows you to not only manage your account on the go, but also address any queries or support issues on your phone.

You can also use the online portal to access your account and the support team. The Amex website has an intuitive layout and clean design that offers a great user experience. In addition to comprehensive product pages, there is an in depth help section with support materials including how to videos.

American Express phone support
(Screenshot from American Express app)

How to Apply for a Blue Cash Everyday Card?

American Express makes it easy to apply for any of its cards online. Here are the steps you should take in order to apply:

  1. Once you find the Blue Cash Everyday product page, you should immediately notice the blue “Apply Now” button.
  2. After you click the button, you’ll be directed to the application form and informed that you will receive an approval decision in as little as 30 seconds.
  3. As with most credit card applications, you’ll need to provide basic details, such as your full name, email address, date of birth, and income. There is also the option not to provide a Social Security number if you are from outside the U.S in selected countries.
  4. Before you submit the application form, you’ll need to confirm that you are willing to receive a one off SMS to download the app. This is an optional requirement, but it does save you needing to go to Google Play or the Apple Store to try to find the app.
  5. Once you click Continue, you’ll be taken to a Terms and Conditions page that you’ll need to read through and accept to complete the application submission.
  6. American Express should provide you with a quick approval decision, but in some cases, there may be a short delay when you will need to wait for an email.

Compare The Alternatives

There are other credit cards that do offer comparable cash back rewards – we’ve summarized the most popular cards which can use as an alternative to the Blue Cash Everyday card:

Chase Freedom Flex

capital-one-venture

American express everyday card review 2021

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
American Express EveryDay® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$0
Rewards
1-5%
2X – 5X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1X – 2X 2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X), 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$200
75,000 miles 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
10,000 points 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
$0
2.7%
Purchase APR
20.49%–29.24% variable
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
18.24% – 28.24% Variable

FAQ

American Express doesn’t have specific income requirements for the Blue Cash Everyday card.

Instead, there is a greater focus on your credit score. You will need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for this card. This will consider your income level, current debt obligations and other factors.

American Express doesn’t officially state a minimum initial credit limit, but according to reviews and customer information, you should expect a credit limit of at least $500.

American Express will automatically increase your credit limit if you have shown responsible use. However, after at least 60 days, you can request a higher credit limit.

Excellent. You can access the customer support team 24/7 both online and via the helpline. There is also a comprehensive help section on the website if you have a more general query or question

This card is designed to be an everyday card. So, if you’re a regular traveler and want a lot of travel related perks, this is not the right card for you.

It is possible to receive an approval decision in as little as 30 seconds when you apply online. In most cases, you should have a decision in a matter of minutes. However, there may be some applications that require more time for processing, so you may need to wait a day or two.

Compare American Express Blue Cash Everyday

If you can maximize supermarket benefits, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred may be more suitable than the Everyday card despite the annual fee.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday vs. Preferred: Side By Side Comparison

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday is the winner if you need gas and grocery purchases, while the Freedom Unlimited offers better travel rewards.

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Unlike the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, Citi Custom Cash automatically adjusts its cashback categories based on your spending habits.

Citi Custom Cash vs. Amex Blue Cash Everyday

Review American Express Credit Cards

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.