Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Is the Fee Worth It?
Based on $1,500/mo average spend
Worth it if you spend more than ~$299/month. You come out $382 ahead at $1,500/mo.
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 17.49%-28.49% variable
- Rewards: 3X at US supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr, then 1X), 2X at US gas stations, 1X on everything else. 50% bonus when you make 30+ transactions per billing period.
- Bonus: 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- Best For: Active shoppers who make many transactions and want supercharged Membership Rewards earning
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)
Overview
The Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card is the upgraded version of the EveryDay Card, offering higher earning rates and a larger transaction bonus in exchange for a $95 annual fee. It earns 3X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1X), 2X at US gas stations, and 1X on everything else. The headline feature is a 50% points bonus when you make 30 or more transactions in a billing period.
That 50% bonus is the key differentiator. When activated, it transforms the 3X grocery rate into an effective 4.5X, the 2X gas rate into 3X, and the 1X base rate into 1.5X. For active shoppers who swipe their card frequently, this dramatically increases the per-dollar value. The 15,000-point welcome bonus after $2,000 in spending within 3 months provides a quick boost.
The EveryDay Preferred is best suited for people who make a high volume of transactions across many merchants. If you buy coffee, lunch, groceries, gas, and small purchases throughout the month, reaching 30 transactions is natural. Combined with access to Membership Rewards transfer partners, the effective earning rates rival or beat cards with much higher annual fees. The card also has the lowest ongoing APR range in the Amex personal lineup at 17.49% to 28.49%.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: 17.49%-28.49% variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 17.49%-28.49% variable
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: None
Note: Variable APR of 17.49% to 28.49% based on your creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. No introductory APR offer on this card.
Benefits Overview
Enhanced Points Earning
- 3X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1X
- 2X at US gas stations (no annual cap)
- 1X on all other eligible purchases
- 50% bonus on all points earned when you make 30 or more transactions per billing period
Membership Rewards Access
- Points transfer 1:1 to 20+ airline and hotel partners
- Pool points with other Membership Rewards-earning Amex cards
- Redeem through Amex Travel, for statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise
- Points do not expire as long as your account is open
Card Protections
- Purchase protection on eligible purchases for up to 90 days against damage and theft
- Extended warranty adding up to one year of additional manufacturer warranty coverage
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Fraud protection with $0 liability for unauthorized charges
Rewards & Points
- 3X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr, then 1X)
- 2X Membership Rewards points at US gas stations
- 1X Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
- +50% bonus on all points earned when you make 30+ transactions per billing period
Membership Rewards points transfer at 1:1 to 20+ airline and hotel partners including Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Singapore KrisFlyer, Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio), and Marriott Bonvoy. When the 50% transaction bonus is active, effective rates become 4.5X groceries, 3X gas, and 1.5X everything else, making this one of the highest-earning cards in its fee range.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. The shorter 3-month timeframe is tighter than some competing offers, but the $2,000 requirement is very manageable. At 1 cent per point, the bonus is worth $150, and transfers to airline partners can yield $225 to $300.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- High-frequency shoppers who naturally make 30+ transactions per month and unlock the 50% bonus
- Grocery and gas spenders who want strong earning at supermarkets and gas stations with Membership Rewards
- Points strategists who transfer Membership Rewards to airline partners and value the boosted earning rates
- Multi-card Amex users who want to earn MR points across everyday categories to pool with other cards
Not Good For
- Infrequent purchasers who make fewer than 30 transactions per month and miss the crucial 50% bonus
- International travelers due to the 2.7% foreign transaction fee on purchases abroad
- Fee-averse cardholders who prefer the no-fee EveryDay Card or a no-fee cash back alternative
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- 50% transaction bonus effectively boosts grocery earning to 4.5X and gas to 3X
- 3X at US supermarkets is strong for a $95 annual fee card
- 2X at US gas stations adds value for commuters and drivers
- Full access to Membership Rewards transfer partners at 1:1 ratios
- Lower APR range starting at 17.49% compared to most competitors
- 15,000-point welcome bonus with a low $2,000 spend requirement
- Points pool with other Membership Rewards-earning Amex cards
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage included
- Effective 1.5X base rate with the transaction bonus active rivals flat-rate cards
Cons
- $95 annual fee versus the no-fee EveryDay Card
- Must reach 30 transactions per billing period to earn the 50% bonus
- No 0% intro APR offer unlike the standard EveryDay Card
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee limits international use
- $6,000 annual cap on supermarket spending at the 3X rate
- No dining bonus category despite dining being a major spending category
- 15,000-point welcome bonus is modest compared to premium Amex cards
- Without the transaction bonus, earning rates are not competitive for the fee
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex EveryDay® Credit Card | No-fee MR access with 20% transaction bonus | $0 | 2X/1X + 20% bonus | Good+ |
| American Express® Gold Card | Higher 4X on dining and groceries without transaction tracking | $325 | 4X dining/groceries, 3X flights | Good+ |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Rotating 5% categories with no annual fee | $0 | 5%/3%/1% | Good+ |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Earned | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Supermarkets | $6,000 | 3X | 18,000 pts | $180 |
| US Gas Stations | $3,000 | 2X | 6,000 pts | $60 |
| Everything Else | $15,000 | 1X | 15,000 pts | $150 |
| 50% Transaction Bonus | N/A | 50% of 39,000 | 19,500 pts | $195 |
| Welcome Bonus | $2,000 in 3 months | One-time | 15,000 pts | $150 |
Total estimated first-year value: $735 including the welcome bonus. After subtracting the $95 annual fee, net first-year value is approximately $640. Ongoing value is $490 per year with the transaction bonus. Airline transfers at 2 cents per point push annual value above $900.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You naturally make 30 or more transactions per billing period without straining
- You want higher Membership Rewards earning than the no-fee EveryDay Card
- You spend regularly at US supermarkets and gas stations
- You value Membership Rewards transfer partners and want to boost earning across categories
- You prefer a lower APR range than most other rewards cards offer
- You want to pool MR points with a Gold or Platinum Card for bigger redemptions
You Should Skip It If...
- You do not make 30 transactions per month and would miss the 50% bonus consistently
- You prefer the no-fee EveryDay Card and the difference in earning does not justify $95
- You want strong dining rewards since this card has no restaurant bonus category
- You travel internationally and need a card without foreign transaction fees
- You would rather have cash back than manage Membership Rewards points
- You want a premium card with lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance
Apply Now
Apply for Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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