Review: AMEX EveryDay vs Blue Cash Everyday

Both cards have a rewards program that is consistent throughout the year (there are no rotating categories to worry about).

The difference is in the details.

The American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card gives you cash back while the Amex EveryDay Card provides Membership Rewards points and $0 balance transfer fee on balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening.

Keep reading to see the pros and cons of each card.

Why Either Amex EveryDay or Blue Cash Everyday Is Good

With either Amex EveryDay or Blue Cash Everyday, you get:

• No annual fee .

• Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

  Both cards offer a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 14.74% - 25.74% Variable .

  Tip: With the Amex EveryDay, there is a $0 balance transfer fee. Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days from account opening
  

Why Blue Cash Everyday Is Superior

Here is how the Blue Cash Everyday cash back works:

Blue Cash Everyday cardholders receive 3% cash back on purchases made at qualifying U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 worth of purchases per year (then 1%); 2% at U.S. gas stations and select department stores; and 1% back on other purchases. Cash back comes in rewards dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit, turned into a gift card, or used to buy merchandise through the American Express website.

Here is why you may prefer Blue Cash Everyday over Amex EveryDay:

• Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
  
• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
  
• 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
  
• 2% cash back at select department stores.
  
• The cash back rewards dollars can be applied to your statement as credit while the points you'd get with the Amex EveryDay transfer to statement credit at a lower rate.

To learn more about the promotion, visit American Express' secure website.

Why Amex EveryDay Is Superior

Here is how Amex EveryDay Membership Rewards system works:

Earn 2x points at qualifying U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x) and 1x points on other purchases.

But that's not all: if you make 20 or more purchases in a billing period, you get 20% more points on those purchases (less returns and credits).

While the points can be used for a statement credit or for gift cards, their best value. in our opinion. comes from redeeming them for airline miles and hotel points that are partnered with American Express.

Here is why you may prefer Amex EveryDay over Blue Cash Everyday:

• $0 balance transfer fee. Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days from account opening.
  
• Intro offer: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $1,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
  
• You can transfer Membership Rewards points to over a dozen frequent travel programs associated with major carriers like Delta and JetBlue, or to hotel chains like Hilton, Best Western, and Starwood.

Keep in Mind

• Both cards have a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% , which applies to each purchase you make outside the country.
  
• Both rewards programs cap their high benefits on U.S. supermarket purchases at $6,000 in purchases a year, which averages to $115 a week. After reaching the limit, Blue Cash Everyday cash back goes to 1% for U.S. supermarket purchases and Amex EveryDay Membership Rewards goes to 1x points.
  
• Also note that American Express cards are generally not accepted as widely as Visa or MasterCard.

So, Should You Get Blue Cash Everyday or Amex Everyday?

Both cards have rewards programs, but in our opinion, it comes down to how you want your rewards. Blue Cash Everyday points can quickly be applied as statement credit or gift cards. There's no complicated math involved.

Amex EveryDay's points can be used as statement credit or for gift cards, but in our opinion, the best use of Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to airline and hotel partners. This makes Amex EveryDay the better choice for frequent travelers or for people who travel less frequently but always on the same airline or hotel. Amex EveryDay is also a good option for people who consistently make 20 or more purchases a month and can take advantage of the 20% point incentive.