Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs. Preferred (2026)
Amex Blue Cash Everyday ($0 fee) vs. Blue Cash Preferred ($95 fee). Calculate whether 6% grocery cash back outweighs the annual fee for your household.
Short answer: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express vs Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is our pick for most people. For households spending more than $61/week on groceries, Blue Cash Preferred's 6% rate easily outperforms the $0 fee Everyday card, even after paying the $95 fee.
- Choose Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express if you want: Modern households that order online frequently and want 3% on groceries, gas, and retail with $0 annual fee.
- Choose Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express if you want: Households spending $300-$500/month on groceries, gas, and streaming subscriptions.
Where the math flips: The mathematical breakeven is $3,167/year ($61/week) spent at U.S. supermarkets. Spend more than $61/week and Preferred yields higher net cash back; spend less and Everyday is the smarter pick.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Annual fee
- $0
- $95
- Base earning rate
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.7%
- 2.7%
Last edited . Figures are an editorial snapshot and are pending line-by-line verification: confirm current terms on the issuer's page before applying.
Feature & Fee Breakdown
| Feature | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 intro for 1st year, then $95 |
| U.S. Supermarkets | 3% cash back (up to $6,000/yr) | 6% cash back (up to $6,000/yr) |
| U.S. Online Retail | 3% cash back (up to $6,000/yr) | 1% cash back |
| Streaming Subscriptions | 1% cash back | 6% cash back |
| Recommended Credit Score | Good to Excellent (670-850) | Good to Excellent (670-850) |
| Official Issuer Terms | View American Express Rates & Fees ↗ | View American Express Rates & Fees ↗ |
Customize your estimated monthly spending to see which card delivers higher net rewards over 12 months (after annual fees).
Annual rewards after $0 fee
Annual rewards after $95 fee
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📈 The Mathematical Breakeven Point
The mathematical breakeven is $3,167/year ($61/week) spent at U.S. supermarkets. Spend more than $61/week and Preferred yields higher net cash back; spend less and Everyday is the smarter pick.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Modern households that order online frequently and want 3% on groceries, gas, and retail with $0 annual fee.
Key Strengths
- ✓ 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year (Amazon, Target.com, Walmart.com)
- ✓ 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr, then 1%)
- ✓ 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000/yr, then 1%)
- ✓ $0 annual fee and up to $84/year Disney Bundle credit ($7/month)
Drawbacks
- ✕ 2.7% foreign transaction fee
- ✕ Each 3% category capped at $6,000 annual spend
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Households spending $300-$500/month on groceries, gas, and streaming subscriptions.
Key Strengths
- ✓ Unrivaled 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
- ✓ 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Hulu)
- ✓ 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls)
- ✓ $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Drawbacks
- ✕ $95 annual fee after year 1 requires consistent grocery spending to justify
- ✕ 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Cash Preferred worth the $95 annual fee compared to Everyday?
Yes, if you spend at least $264 per month on groceries. At the maximum $6,000 grocery cap, Preferred earns $360 vs Everyday's $180—a $180 difference that easily covers the $95 fee.