American Express Blue – Comparison Everyday and Preferred

Monica Kowollik August 27, 2017

Comparing the American Express Blue Everyday and the American Express Blue Preferred Cards

If you’re looking for a new credit card, there are dozens of options. Several credit card companies offer multiple cards as well. So, this can make it very hard to choose the correct card. You want a card that will work for your lifestyle. We’re going to compare two cards in this article from American Express. We’ll compare American Express Blue Everyday versus American Express Blue Preferred. In the end, you’ll be able to choose which one of these cards is the best fit.

Card Comparison of Everyday and Preferredby American Express Blue

The American Express Preferred comes with higher cash back rewards. It comes with a $0 introductory rate as well. After the first year is up, you’ll pay $95 annually. The Blue Everyday card comes with $0 annual fee for each year. However, the cash back rates are lower with this card. We will dedicate this section to comparing the rewards of both cards. This will also give you an easier way to see a side by side comparison.

Department Store and Gas Stations

American Express Blue Everyday. You get 2 times the points at department stores and gas stations. This card offers 1 times the points on every other purchase.
Blue Cash Preferred. You get unlimited 3 percent cash back at department stores and gas stations. This card offers 1 percent cash back on every other purchase.

Grocery Stores

American Express Blue Everyday. You get 3 times the points at grocery stores up to a $6,000 a year cap. After this cap, it drops to 1 times the points.
Blue Cash Preferred. You get 6 percent cash back at grocery stores up to a $6,000 a year cap. After this cap, it drops to 1 percent cash back. If you’re an average family of four, you could hit this cap easily each year. This amounts to breaking the annual fee, and you earning money. Even with the 1 percent cash back,
you’re still making a profit.

Sign-Up Bonuses

American Express Blue Everyday. If you purchase $1,000 within the first three months, you get a $100 statement credit.
Blue Cash Preferred. If you purchase $1,000 within in the first three months, you get a $150 statement credit.

Are There Any Additional Everyday Perks?

The American Express Blue Everyday card has an additional rewards feature. If you make 30 transactions per billing cycle, you get 50 percent more rewards. This means that you get:

Department Stores: 3 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 3 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Gas Stations: 3 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 6 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Other Purchases: 2.55 percent on the American Express Everday. 1 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Supermarkets: 4.5 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 6 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.

If you don’t make at least 30 transactions per billing cycle, you will get different rewards. These rewards will stay the same until you go over 30 transactions per billing cycle.

Department Stores: 1.5 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 3 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Gas Stations: 1.5 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 6 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Other Purchases: 1.7 percent on the American Express Everday. 1 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.
Supermarkets: 3 times the points on the American Express Blue Everyday. 6 percent on the Blue Cash Preferred.

Which American Express Blue Card is Right for You?

This depends entirely on how you spend. If you typically spend less than $2,500 per year, the Blue Cash Preferred is a better option. You’ll get an additional 3 percent bonus over the Blue Everyday card. However, if you spend more than $2,500 per year, the Blue Cash Everyday is the better choice. You can redeem your rewards for either card by called customer service. You’ll get a check sent in five to seven days. You can also request statement credits or gift cards.

Final Thoughts On the American Express Blue Everyday and the Preferred Card

Based on everything that is listed, the Blue Everyday card has a better return than the Blue Cash Preferred. The only exception to this is grocery stores if you don’t make 30 transactions per billing cycle. Also, the Blue Cash Preferred has a bonus category for department stores, and the Blue Everyday doesn’t. The final factor you should consider is if you want points or cash back. The Blue Everyday card offers points you can redeem. The Blue Cash Preferred offers straight cash back on your purchases.

Either of these cards can be good for large families who spend a lot in the grocery stores. Both cards have a 6 percent bonus that caps at $6,000 per year. So, this is extremely helpful for anyone who shops a lot. Many people may benefit from having both cards. This way you’ll get both 4.5 points and 6 percent cash back. Both of these rewards can add up to huge savings.

This article has compared the Amex Blue Preferred and the Amex Express Everday. Both cards offer unique sign up bonuses and cash back. One card offers points; the other offers cash back. You should have a good idea about which card will work for you. Lastly, do your research; the rewards are worth it.

CreditFast website – CreditFast.com, provides information about the best credit card applications, as well as other financial products and services. Our goal is to provide you with fair, balanced reviews. Some credit offers that appear on our website are from companies from which CreditFast receives compensation, and some are not.

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Monica Kowollik

Director at CreditFast.com

Monica has covered credit card and personal finance news for over 15 years. From an early age, she developed an interest in financial literacy and saving money. Monica hopes to help others to improve their personal finances one article at a time.

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