American Express Blue Cash Everyday
What it earns on groceries, online shopping and gas, the two monthly credits and their catch, and the protection.
← No annual fee and cash back cards
Points Atelier may earn from partner links. Ratings never depend on it.
No annual fee and cash back · American Express
Welcome offer
As high as $200 back
Annual fee
$0
As high as $200 back after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months, paid as Reward Dollars. Amex shows the exact offer before acceptance; some applicants get less or none, including anyone who has had this card, the Cash Magnet, the Blue Cash Preferred or the Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred. There is also a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; the length can vary by offer.
Foreign transaction fees: 2.7%Rewards: Cash back (Reward Dollars)Intro APR: 0% for 15 months (can vary by offer)
The Atelier Take
A tidy no-fee card; upgrade to the Preferred once groceries pass about $3,200 a year.
Who it suits
People who want no-fee cash back on groceries, gas and online shopping.
Who should skip it
Large grocery spenders, who earn more on the Preferred even after its $95 fee, and anyone who travels abroad (2.7% foreign transaction fee).
Every credit, and the catch
Two monthly credits worth up to $264 a year, both tied to one brand.
Home Chef credit
Up to $180 a year
Meal kit subscriptions bought online at homechef.com/blue-cash-everyday only; one-off kits and gift cards don’t count.
Disney streaming credit
Up to $84 a year
Subscriptions bought directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com, including bundles. An unused month is lost.
What it earns
Rewards: cash back as Reward Dollars, redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout at the same value.
3%
U.S. supermarkets
Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%
3%
U.S. online retail purchases
Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%
3%
U.S. gas stations
Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%
1%
Everything else
Each 3% category has its own $6,000 annual cap. Cash back is paid as Reward Dollars, worth the same as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
What it is worth
No annual fee, so nothing to earn back. Using all three 3% categories to their caps returns up to $540 a year, plus up to $264 in credits for Home Chef and Disney subscribers.
The Blue Cash Preferred pays 6% on groceries for $95 a year, which comes out ahead once supermarket spending passes about $3,200 a year.
Insurance and protections
Pay for the purchase or rental with the card to be covered. Car rental cover is secondary. There is no travel insurance or extended warranty on this card.
Car rental loss and damage
Up to $50,000 for theft or damage to a rental car, for rentals up to 30 days, when the rental company’s damage waiver is declined. Secondary.
Purchase protection
Theft or accidental damage within 90 days of purchase: up to $1,000 per item and $50,000 a year.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 3% on three everyday categories with no fee
- The online retail category covers Amazon and most web shopping
- Simple cash back
- A long 0% intro APR
Cons
- Each 3% category is capped at $6,000 a year
- 1% on dining
- The Preferred pays double on groceries
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.