When you add up the total of your everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, household items, and clothing, it may be surprising to see the amount you’re spending on a daily basis. In fact, it’s possible that everyday spending recently has made up a large portion of your overall purchases.
If you’re nodding your head “yes” because you’re making a lot of daily purchases in those general categories, you’re just the person we had in mind for our article today.
Earning rewards on every purchase you’re already making can be the easiest way to earn rewards. It can also be a smart economic decision, especially when you select a rewards-earning card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. It can also be prudent to select a card that earns rewards in the form of cash-back, the most liquid of all rewards.
That’s why we’ve chosen to focus our review today on the multiple benefits you’ll find on the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Blue Cash Everyday Card Overview
We’ll quickly get to the details of all the benefits that come with the Blue Cash Everyday card, but let’s start with a snapshot of the core card offerings and a link to learn more about any fees, interest rates, and terms that apply.
Earning Rewards
Rewards are earned on the Blue Cash Everyday card in the form of cash-back based on a percentage of your total purchase. This cash-back is termed “Reward Dollars” and is deposited into your account after your monthly statement closes.
Let’s look at the ways you can earn cash-back Reward Dollars.
Earning rewards on every purchase you make is easy with the Blue Cash Everyday card. Image Credit: sippakorn yamkasikorn via Unsplash1. An Introductory Welcome Bonus
Once you are approved for the Blue Cash Everyday card, spending on the card will count towards earning the welcome bonus. Here’s the current bonus:
2. Earning at Supermarkets
You’ll be earning 3% cash-back on your purchases at U.S. supermarkets up to a maximum of $6,000 in purchases each calendar year. Purchases above $6,000 earn 1% cash-back.
3. Earning at Gas Stations
Fill up the tank or buy refreshments and snacks for your road trip and earn 2% cash-back on every gas station purchase.
4. Earning at Select U.S. Department Stores
Your 2% cash-back earnings will add up quickly when you shop at any of these U.S. department stores:
- Bealls
- Belk
- Bloomingdale’s
- Bon Ton Stores
- Boscov’s
- Century 21 Department Stores
- Dillard’s
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Lord & Taylor
- Macy’s
- Neiman Marcus
- Nordstrom
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Stein Mart
5. Earning on Every Purchase
Every purchase you make, even outside of the bonus categories, will still be earning 1% cash-back.
Bottom Line: If you’re spending a lot on groceries, gas, and at any of the eligible department stores, having a no-annual-fee card earning rewards on all those purchases could be a smart and economically-sound decision.
Redeeming Rewards
Once your cash-back has accumulated, you’ll have options for redeeming those rewards.
6. Redeem for Statement Credits
Simply log in to your card account online and select “Redeem Reward Dollars” to request a statement credit. Requests must be made in $25 increments and the minimum you can request is $25.
7. Additional Redemption Options
You also have the option to redeem Reward Dollars for gift cards or merchandise, but this option may not be good value compared to a statement credit.
Travel Benefits and Protections
One of the benefits found on the Blue Cash Everyday card is affordable access to premium car rental coverage. Image Credit: American Express8. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
The Blue Cash Everyday card comes with complimentary secondary car rental insurance that covers damage or theft to the rental car. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other insurance you might have.
9. Access to Premium Car Rental Protection
Fortunately, cardholders have access to Premium Car Rental Protection for just 1 low fee that covers the entire rental car period. This car rental insurance coverage is primary which means you do not first have to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Prices range from $12.25 to $24.95 for the full rental period, up to 42 consecutive days, depending on selected coverages and location.
10. Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee
Book a qualifying pre-paid hotel via Amex Travel and if you find a lower rate online for the same exact room after you book, you could receive the difference refunded.
11. Global Assist Hotline
Have peace of mind knowing you have access to assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. You can expect help with securing emergency medical and legal referrals, lost passport assistance, arranging emergency transportation, and much more. You can also utilize the hotline prior to your trip to inquire about specific destination requirements and information.
Hot Tip: While the Blue Cash Everyday card does not offer complimentary primary car rental protection, you can save money not having to purchase the car rental agency’s coverage by paying a low fee for the Amex Premium Car Rental Protection to be covered for the entire rental period (up to 42 days).
Shopping Benefits and Protections
Eligible purchases may qualify for protections that come complimentary with the Blue Cash Everyday card. Image Credit: JESHOOTS.com via Pexels12. Introductory 0% APR on Purchases
If you need to make a large purchase (or purchases) such as appliances, a computer, or major electronics, you’ll be please to know that your purchase can be paid back over time using the card’s introductory 0% APR period.
The period begins when you’re approved for the card, no interest is charged on those purchases for the entire period, then normal variable rates apply, which are listed in card overview.
13. Amex Offers
In addition to earning cash-back on every purchase, you’ll receive ongoing Amex Offers available in your account that can be quite lucrative. Past offers have included a $20 statement credit on a $20 wine purchase, 10% cash-back at Mobil gas stations, and $35 cash-back for paying your AT&T bill of $35 or more. Your offers will vary.
14. American Express Auto Purchasing Program
The Amex Auto Purchasing Program is provided by TruCar and could save you thousands of dollars on your new car purchase. You’ll also be able to use your American Express card to charge at least $2,000 of the purchase on your card and receive up to $2,000 in post-purchase benefits.
15. Purchase Protection
Use your card to make an eligible purchase and receive up to 90 days coverage, from the purchase date, for damage or theft. There is a limit of $1,000 per purchase and $50,000 maximum per eligible card.
16. VIP Entertainment Benefits
Receive complimentary access to event ticket presales, preferred seating, special cardholder events, and access to American Express experiences.
17. Complimentary ShopRunner Membership
Your complimentary ShopRunner membership comes with free 2-day shipping and free returns at over 100 retail stores.
Additional Benefits
18. No Annual Fee
You’ll never have to pay an annual fee on the Blue Cash Everyday card which means you can keep the card as long as you desire to build your credit history. See rates and fees.
19. No Fee to Add Authorized Users
Earn rewards faster by adding additional users to your card. Each user will receive a separate card but all of the purchases will earn cash-back rewards in your account. See rates and fees.
20. Year-End Summary
Keep track of your purchases with an organized year-end summary available each January for the previous year.
Alternatives to the Blue Cash Everyday Card
If you’re comfortable paying an annual fee, you’ll find the Blue Cash Preferred card kicks up the earnings percentage significantly on everyday purchases which, in turn, increases your bottom line cash-back.
If you’d like to compare the Blue Cash Everyday card with the Blue Cash Preferred, we can help you with that. Our detailed comparison is a click away.
Spend a lot on groceries and dining out? With big bonus earnings at grocery stores and restaurants, valuable Membership Rewards earnings will add up quickly. Plus, the Amex Gold card comes with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement and a monthly $10 dining credit.
Still want more information? Check out our comparison of the Blue Cash Everyday card and the Amex Gold card.
Final Thoughts
American Express does a great job of delivering everyday-spending rewards card options. You’ll have no trouble finding a card that matches your tolerance for paying an annual fee, has bonus categories that align with your spending mix, and that offers an appropriate level of benefits and protections you can use.
You’ll want to run the numbers before selecting a card, however. The Blue Cash Preferred card with an annual fee, for example, delivers $360 in earnings each year on $6,000 in grocery purchases, while the Blue Cash Everyday card would earn $180. Even with the annual fee, you’ll come out ahead on the Blue Cash Preferred card.
The Blue Cash Everyday card may be a fit if you absolutely do not want to pay an annual fee, have $6,000 or less per year in grocery expenses, dine out frequently, and major travel benefits are not a priority.
If you spend a lot more than $6,000 in groceries and will use the additional travel benefits, the Amex Gold Card could be a better match.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
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