The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express just underwent a thorough refresh that improved the card’s earning rates and overall value proposition. Now, cardholders will have 3 separate 3% cash-back categories to take advantage of, still without an annual fee (rates and fees).
Here’s a look at how you can maximize the new cash-back categories.
Cash-back at U.S. Supermarkets
With your Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, you’ll earn 3% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, and 1% thereafter.
Keep in mind that superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, and meal-kit delivery services are not considered U.S. supermarkets.
Here’s a sample list of merchants at which you’ll earn 3% back:
- ALDI
- FreshDirect
- Gelson’s
- Hy-Vee
- Kings Food Markets
- Kroger
- Meijer
- ShopRite
- Smart & Final
- Stop & Shop
- Trader Joe’s
- Vons
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie
If your annual grocery expenses are around $6,000 each year ( or $500 per month), this bonus category alone could earn you $180 in cash-back each year.
Cash-back on U.S. Online Retail Purchases
Image Credit: American ExpressA new bonus category added to the card is the ability to earn 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, and 1% thereafter. This is a bonus category that many cards don’t offer and is sure to help those who regularly shop online to earn quite a bit of cash-back.
According to American Express, to earn additional rewards on online retail purchases, they must be made on a website or a digital application (an app) from a U.S. retail merchant that sells physical goods or merchandise directly to consumers.
Here are some examples of the types of purchases that will fit into this new category and earn you 3% back:
- Apparel, footwear, and accessories stores
- Auto and home supply stores
- Book stores
- Computer and electronic stores
- Department stores
- Drugstores
- Furniture stores (e.g., Wayfair.com)
- Major retailers (e.g., Amazon.com, Walmart.com)
- Personal and household care
- Pet stores (e.g., Chewy.com)
- Sporting goods stores
- Toy and hobby stores
While there are many other purchase types that occur almost exclusively online like airfare, ticket purchases, rideshare apps, online grocery orders, food delivery, and streaming services, you will not earn 3% cash-back on these purchases.
Cash-back at U.S. Gas Stations
Previously, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card earned 2% back at U.S. gas stations. Now, that has improved to 3% back on your first $6,000 per year in purchases, and 1% after.
To receive the bonus cash-back, the merchant’s primary business has to be gasoline. Examples include:
- Exxon
- Gulf
- Hess
- Murphy Express
- Murphy USA
- Mobil
- Shell
This excludes superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs that also sell gasoline.
Up to $250 Annual Statement Credits
The Blue Cash Everyday card is living up to its name by offering statement credits for everyday household purchases:
- Up to $7 back monthly after using your Blue Cash Every Card to spend $13.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
- Earn up to $15 back monthly – an annual savings of up to $180 – when you order online at Home Chef. Enrollment required.
Hot Tip: Check out our full guide on the best ways to earn tons of Amex cash-back rewards!
Final Thoughts
The improved cash-back earning rates make the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card a top option when it comes to cash-back cards and statement credits with no annual fee.
All things considered, if you’re someone who is already paying for Home Chef or the Disney Bundle, and a decent portion of your annual expenses fall within one of the card’s 3 bonus categories of U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases, then the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card might be a perfect addition to your wallet.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit:
Lombardo via Adobe PhotoStock