Amex EveryDay vs. EveryDay Preferred: Which Should You Choose?

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Credit cards have become so specialized that consumers can pick and choose the best cards to fit their daily spending patterns. American Express, Member FDIC recognizes these differences and offers two versions of one of its most popular cards, the American Express EveryDay Card.
Although some basic provisions are similar between the two cards, such as purchase protection and travel accident insurance, other important features, like the annual fee, are quite different. Here’s a look at the features and benefits of each card, indicating where one card might be superior to the other for different types of customers.
Click to see an American Express credit card comparison to review all your options.
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred | ||
Benefit | Amex EveryDay | Amex EveryDay Preferred |
Welcome Offer | 10,000 points | 15,000 points |
Balance Transfer Promo | 0% for 15 months | 0% for 12 months |
Bonus Categories | 2x groceries | 3x groceries, 2x gas stations |
Everyday Spend | 1x | 1x |
Bonus Points Awarded | 20% bonus after 20-plus transactions/ month | 50% bonus after 30-plus transactions/month |
Pay With Points | Yes | Yes |
Extended Warranty | Yes | Yes |
Purchase Protection | Yes | Yes |
Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
Secondary Rental Car Insurance | Yes | Yes |
Return Protection | Yes | Yes |
Travel Accident Insurance | Yes | Yes |
Transfer Points to Partners | Yes | Yes |
Bonus Points at AmexTravel.com | No | 2x points |
Information accurate as of Sept. 7, 2018. |
Amex EveryDay Credit Card Review
The Amex EveryDay Credit Card, from American Express, offers a host of features and benefits, all in a no annual fee package.
Amex EveryDay Credit Card Pros
- No annual fee
- 15-month, 0% APR promotional balance transfer offer
- Numerous free services, from extended warranty service to purchase protection and roadside assistance
Amex EveryDay Credit Card Cons
- Sign-up bonus not particularly generous
- Rates kick up to after promotional period ends
The standard Amex EveryDay Credit Card’s highlighted bonuses are a 0% APY balance transfer for 15 months after opening an account, along with 10,000 Membership Rewards points. Membership Rewards points can be redeemed in more than 1,000 different ways. However, some of the most popular redemption options include paying with points while shopping, using points to cover card charges, redeeming points for gift cards, booking travel using points and transferring points to Membership Rewards partners.Â
Although the current bonuses offered on the EveryDay credit card are subject to change, the basic features of the card generally remain consistent. Perks offered by this card include:Â
- No annual fee
- 2x points on supermarket spending, up to $6,000 per year
- 20 percent point bonus after making 20 or more purchases per billing period
- Extended warranty insurance, up to two additional years
- Return protection, within 90 days of purchase, up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year
- Theft and accidental damage to your phone might be covered by Purchase Protection
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership, offering 2-day shipping from 140-plus online stores
As a credit card, you can also pay off your purchases over time on the Amex EveryDay card; this is different than some other Amex cards, which are charge cards requiring payment in full every month.
Learn More: Best Credit Card Offers, Deals and Promos
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card
For an annual fee, the Amex EveryDay Preferred card offers potentially more benefits to customers.
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card Pros
- 12-month, 0% APR promotional balance transfer rate
- 15,000 Membership Rewards points sign-up bonus
- 3x points at U.S. supermarkets
- 2x points at U.S. gas stations
- 50 percent point-earning bonus available with 30-plus purchases per period
Tip: How to Use Credit Cards Wisely
Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card Cons
- Annual fee
- Interest rates kick up to after the promotional period endsÂ
The Amex EveryDay Preferred credit card is a near-clone of its annual fee-free sibling, the Amex EveryDay credit card. However, there are some important distinctions. The preferred version of the card charges an annual fee of $95, and its 0% APR promotional balance transfer period is three months shorter at 12 months versus 15 months.
You can also earn more points with the Preferred card. For starters, the sign-up bonus is larger with the Amex EveryDay Preferred card at 15,000 Membership Rewards points versus 10,000. And you’ll earn 3x points at U. S. supermarkets, versus 2x points with the standard card. The 50 percent bonus on your points is also considerably larger than the 20 percent bonus offered by the Amex EveryDay card.
Beyond that, the features and benefits of this card are similar to the standard EveryDay credit card. The EveryDay Preferred card adds on the additional earning at supermarkets, gas stations and after making 30-plus transactions per month, along with 2x points when booking travel at AmexTravel.com.Â
Related: American Express Platinum Review: Is It Worth It?
How to Choose Between Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred
Overall, the features and benefits on the Amex EveryDay and Amex EveryDay Preferred cards are similar. However, the preferred version of the card has more points-earning potential. To determine which card is better for you, analyze your daily spending in the bonus categories, specifically grocery stores and gas stations. If you spend enough money in those categories to generate enough points to offset the $95 annual fee, you’re better off with the Preferred card. If your spending in those categories is not high enough, the Amex EveryDay credit card from American Express might be your best option.
Related: Best Cash-Back Credit Cards
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All information about American Express card offers have been collected independently by GOBankingRates and have not been reviewed or approved by American Express. These offers are not available through GOBankingRates.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. American Express credit card products are not available through GOBankingRates.com.