Blue Cash Everyday vs Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred comes out ahead for all three spending profiles we tested. Below: what each card pays after fees for three spending profiles, the break-even, and a live calculator for your own numbers. Card terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
Simulated results
Five years, welcome offers counted when the profile's own spending reaches them, points valued as cash. Merchant credits like Uber or DoorDash aren't counted for typed profiles; they show up in the break-even instead.
| Profile | Blue Cash Everyday: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years | Blue Cash Preferred: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $634 | $434 | $2,369 | $869 | $474 | $2,764 |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $850 | $624 | $3,348 | $1,147 | $687 | $3,893 |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $918 | $690 | $3,678 | $1,252 | $787 | $4,400 |
The break-even
Everyday spender
Blue Cash Everyday trails Blue Cash Preferred by $79 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $79 a year to you.
Balanced
Blue Cash Everyday trails Blue Cash Preferred by $109 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $109 a year to you.
Frequent traveler
Blue Cash Everyday trails Blue Cash Preferred by $144 a year. It wins only if its credits you'd have to use are worth more than $144 a year to you.
Try it with your spending
Starts from the Balanced profile. Change any number, or drop in your statements; they're read on this device and never uploaded.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
Side by side
| Term | Blue Cash Everyday | Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer and network | American Express, American Express | American Express, American Express |
| Annual fee | None | $95 ($0 first year) |
| Requires | Nothing extra | Nothing extra |
| Welcome offer | $200 after $2,000 in 6 months (as high as; offers vary) | $300 after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Earning | 3% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a calendar year · 3% on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 a calendar year · 3% at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 a calendar year · 1% on everything else | 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a calendar year · 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions · 3% on transit (taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, ferries, subways) · 3% at U.S. gas stations · 1% on everything else |
| Rewards currency | Cash back | Cash back |
| Statement credits | $84 Disney Streaming Credit ($7 a month) · $180 Home Chef credit ($15 a month) | $120 Disney Streaming Credit ($10 a month) |
| Lounges | None | None |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| Authorized users | No fee | No fee |
| Availability | Open to new applicants | Open to new applicants |
| Verified | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Is the Blue Cash Preferred worth its $95 fee? · Compare every card with your statements