Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card review: A solid option for suburbanites who commute

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As the name suggests, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card is a solid option for earning rewards on your everyday spending. With bonus points on groceries and gas, plus a unique 50% bonus for frequent use, this card is tailor-made for families and individuals who spend heavily in these categories.

The card also offers a solid intro APR and the flexibility of the Membership Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners for potentially lucrative redemptions.

But the EveryDay Preferred’s strength can also be its greatest limitation. Other cash back cards earn as much, if not more, in those same categories. Unlike the EveryDay Preferred, they don't all charge an annual fee or have spending caps.

How the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card works

Here are key things to know about this card: 

• Rewards: Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X), 2X points at U.S. gas stations, 2x points on eligible Amex Travel purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases.
• Points bonus: Earn 50% extra points when you make 30 or more purchases in a billing period, which can boost your rewards potential.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
• Annual fee: $95. See rates and fees. 
• Intro APR: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% applies.
• Redemption options: You can use points for statement credits, book travel through Amex Travel, or transfer points to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher-value redemptions.
• Additional benefits: Enjoy Amex perks like purchase protection, car rental loss and damage insurance, and 24/7 travel assistance.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card rewards

The Amex EveryDay Preferred is the premium version of the Amex EveryDay Card, offering enhanced rewards and benefits for a $95 annual fee. See rates and fees. 

Earning rewards

The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card shines when it comes to earning rewards on common spending categories:

• 3X points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X)
• 2X points at U.S. gas stations
• 2X points on eligible purchases booked through Amex Travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

To maximize your rewards, focus your spending on the card's bonus categories, particularly groceries and gas. If you use your card 30 or more times in a billing period, you'll earn a 50% bonus on the points you've accumulated.

In comparison, the Amex EveryDay Card earns:

• 2X points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 1X points on all other purchases
• 20% bonus points when you use your card 20 or more times in a billing period

While the Amex EveryDay Card has no annual fee, the higher earning rates and bonus potential of the EveryDay Preferred Card can quickly offset the $95 fee for many cardholders.

Redeeming rewards

After you've racked up a bunch of Membership Rewards points, you'll need to figure out how to redeem them. The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card gives you three main options: 

1. Statement credits: Redeem points for eligible charges at $0.01 per point. While this is a straightforward option, it may not provide the best value for your points.
2. Amex Travel Portal: Book flights, hotels, and car rentals using your points, often at competitive rates. You can sometimes find exclusive "Insider Fares" (though these require payment in full with points).
3. Transfer to travel partners: You can transfer your points to any of Amex's 18 airline and three hotel partners, often at a 1:1 ratio. This option can yield the highest value per point, especially when booking premium flights or hotel stays.

Some notable airline partners include Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Hotel partners include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Choice Privileges.

By transferring points to partners and redeeming them for high-value awards, you can often achieve a value of 2-3 cents or more per point. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses, which can further increase the value of your points.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card benefits

The Amex EveryDay Preferred falls into the middle tier of American Express cards. While it may not offer the same benefits as some high-end travel cards, it still provides a solid set of perks.

Sign up bonus

Currently, the Amex EveryDay Preferred offers a welcome bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. 

While this bonus may not be as lucrative as those offered by some other Amex cards, it can still provide a decent boost to your rewards balance. You’ll need to spend around $667 each month to reach the spending threshold.

Additional Perks

Amex cards offer decent benefits in general, and the EveryDay Preferred Card is no exception:

• Purchase protection: If an eligible item you bought with your card is accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you may be covered up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per calendar year.
• Extended warranty: You can get up to one additional year added to the original warranty term on eligible purchases with manufacturer's warranties of five years or less.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance: When you use your card to reserve and pay for a rental car and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you may be covered for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle in a covered territory. 
• 24/7 travel assistance: If you need help during your travels, you can call the Premium Global Assist Hotline for assistance with medical, legal, and other select emergency coordination and assistance services.

Introductory APR

The introductory APR on the Amex EveryDay Preferred can help float you if you've got a big purchase coming up or need to transfer a balance from another card. The current offer gets you 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account, followed by a variable APR of 18.24% also to 28.24%. Just note that balance transfers are subject to a fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card fees & charges

Like any credit card, the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card has a fairly standard set of fees.

Annual fee

The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card charges an annual fee of $95. See rates and fees.

While this is lower than the fees charged by many other American Express cards, it's still essential to consider whether the card's rewards justify the cost. Here's a quick comparison of the annual fees for some popular Amex cards: 

• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card: $0
• American Express® Green Card: $150
• American Express® Gold Card: $250
• Platinum Card® from American Express: $695

See rates and fees. If you're not confident you'll earn enough to offset the EveryDay Preferred's annual fee, consider the Amex EveryDay Card as an alternative.

Interest rates

The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (within the first 60 days) for the first 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% applies.

This intro APR can be useful for financing large purchases or transferring balances from high-interest cards. However, pay off your balance before the intro period ends to avoid accruing interest charges at the variable APR.

Other fees

• Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction
• Late payment fee: Up to $40

The foreign transaction fee is noteworthy, as some other Amex cards (like the Green, Gold, and Platinum Cards) don't charge this fee. If you travel abroad, you might consider one of those cards instead.

How the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card compares

It's worth comparing the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card to those with a similar annual fee.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Rewards card also charges a $95 annual fee, but it stacks on a few more bonus categories compared to the EveryDay Preferred Card:

• 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
• 3% cash back at grocery stores
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

The Savor Rewards Card may be a better fit for those who spend heavily on dining, entertainment, and streaming services. However, if you spend more on groceries and gas and can take advantage of the 50% bonus by using your card frequently, the EveryDay Preferred Card may offer more value.

Amex EveryDay Preferred Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular travel rewards card that also charges a $95 annual fee and earns: 

• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases
• 2X points on other travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases

The Sapphire Preferred Card's rewards structure caters more to those who spend a significant amount on travel and dining. Additionally, you can transfer points earned with the Sapphire Preferred Card to various airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel portal at a 25% bonus.

If your spending primarily consists of groceries and gas, the EveryDay Preferred's bonus categories and 50% bonus for frequent use may be more rewarding.

Who should consider the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card? 

If you're a suburban dweller with kids, there's a great chance the Amex EveryDay Preferred fits in with your lifestyle and spending habits. That's not to say it doesn't work for other people, but the bonus-earning categories of 3X points on groceries and 2X points at gas stations make it squarely positioned for commuters who eat meals at home. 

If you use your card for most of your daily purchases, the 50% bonus for making 30 or more transactions in a billing period can boost your rewards.

The EveryDay Preferred won't make much sense if you live in a city where you order delivery or dine out. You wouldn't be taking advantage of the EveryDay Preferred's earning capabilities, and you'd be better served with something like Chase Sapphire Preferred.

How we rated this card

Every credit card review we publish has undergone a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity.

We rate all credit cards on a 10-point system, with 10 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score. We assess each card across several key factors, weighted based on what our research shows matters most to readers like you. Learn more about our methodology here. 

The bottom line

The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card is a solid option for people who drive frequently and spend a lot at supermarkets. There's more to having a credit card than just rewards, though, and the EveryDay Preferred comes with the power of the Membership Rewards program, Amex's great perks, and stellar customer service.

The best card for you will depend on your unique spending habits and financial goals. By evaluating your spending patterns and comparing the features of different cards, you can find the one that aligns best with your needs and helps you maximize your rewards earnings.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.