Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express
vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express both offer enticing cash back rewards, but the Blue Cash Preferred stands out with its higher rewards rates, especially for supermarket and streaming service purchases. While the Preferred card does have an annual fee after the first year, the cash back benefits can outweigh the cost for those who frequently spend in its higher earning categories.

The Blue Cash Everyday card has no annual fee and is still a strong contender for its own set of rewards and should be considered by those who prefer to avoid fees.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Everyday if you value simplicity and savings — this card offers a straightforward cash back program on everyday purchases without an annual fee.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if you are a heavy spender on groceries and streaming services — this card offers a robust 6% cash back in these categories. The additional perks, like statement credits for specific subscriptions, can add significant value, especially if you can offset the $95 annual fee after the first year.

Evaluating features such as APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For instance, if you spend heavily on groceries, the higher cash back rate on supermarkets with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred might outweigh its $95 annual fee, offsetting the Everyday card's no annual fee.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred stands out for its robust rewards program, particularly if you spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets and on streaming services, with an expected reward value of over $500 annually. The Blue Cash Everyday doesn't surpass the Blue Cash Preferred in these top bonus categories. But it could be more appealing you value a category like select U.S. department stores.

The bonus categories for each card are detailed in the following table:

Both the Blue Cash Everyday and the Blue Cash Preferred allow you to apply rewards as statement credits, offering a straightforward way to offset your card balance. You can also use your rewards directly at Amazon.com checkout, providing another convenient redemption option. There's no pressure to redeem rewards quickly because they do not expire as long as the account remains open and in good standing.

MoneyGeek reviews credit cards like the Blue Cash Everyday and the Blue Cash Preferred using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.