I’ve been looking at both the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred®. I like the idea of getting 3% back on groceries and online purchases with the Everyday, but I wonder if I’d be better off paying the annual fee for the Preferred to get the 6% back. What do you think? I don’t spend too much, maybe around $100 a week on groceries, and a bit on gas and streaming services. Is the Preferred worth it, or should I stick to the no-fee Everyday?
I use the Everyday and I think it’s great if you don’t want to worry about paying an annual fee. With your grocery spending, you’d earn around $156 a year, which isn’t too far off from the Preferred’s 6%. If you don’t mind the cap and aren’t looking for extra perks, it’s solid.
@Drue
That’s a good point. I like that I wouldn’t have to worry about covering the annual fee before I start seeing value.
If you spend more than $61 a week on groceries, the Preferred makes more sense, even with the $95 fee. That 6% cash back adds up faster than you’d think, especially if you also use it for gas and streaming. But if you’re under that $61 threshold, the Everyday is a solid choice.
@Lorin
I spend just about $100 a week, so it seems I’m right on the edge. I hadn’t thought about the $61/week break-even point. That makes the Preferred more appealing.
Baylen said:
@Lorin
I spend just about $100 a week, so it seems I’m right on the edge. I hadn’t thought about the $61/week break-even point. That makes the Preferred more appealing.
Exactly. It’s really about crunching the numbers and seeing what works for your habits. If you’re also spending on gas or streaming services, the Preferred could be a better deal overall.
We went with the Blue Cash Preferred and haven’t regretted it. Between groceries, gas, and streaming, the rewards quickly cover the annual fee and then some. If you can handle the upfront cost, it’s worth it in the long run.
@Fraser
It sounds like you’ve found the sweet spot with your spending. Did you find the $6,000 cap on grocery rewards limiting at all?
Baylen said:
@Fraser
It sounds like you’ve found the sweet spot with your spending. Did you find the $6,000 cap on grocery rewards limiting at all?
Not really, but it could be for larger families. We haven’t hit the cap yet, but when we do, we’ll just switch to another card.
I started with the Everyday and then upgraded to the Preferred after realizing I could earn more with my grocery and streaming spending. You can always switch later if you think the Preferred might be a better fit down the road.
@Keats
That’s a great point. I hadn’t considered upgrading later if I find I’m spending more. Thanks for the tip.
If you don’t spend a lot and want to keep things simple, stick with the Everyday. No fee, no hassle, and you still get decent rewards. The Preferred is great for high spenders, but it sounds like the Everyday fits your budget better right now.
@Franklin
That’s what I’m leaning towards for now. I can always reconsider the Preferred later if my spending goes up.