Comparing the American Express EveryDay card vs Blue Cash Everyday used to be a classic points-versus-cash-back debate. In 2026, the comparison has a twist that settles most of it: only one of these cards is still available.
American Express closed the Amex EveryDay card to new applicants on September 25, 2024, along with the EveryDay Preferred and Cash Magnet. As of July 2026, applications remain closed, with no announced plans to bring the card back. The Blue Cash Everyday Card is still fully open for applications.
That means this comparison matters for two groups: existing EveryDay cardholders deciding whether to keep their card, and shoppers who want to know which everyday Amex is worth applying for now. Both cards are issued by American Express and run on the Amex network, so acceptance is identical.
Amex EveryDay vs Blue Cash Everyday: Side by Side
| Feature | Amex EveryDay | Blue Cash Everyday |
|---|---|---|
| Available to new applicants? | No, closed since September 25, 2024 | Yes |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards currency | Membership Rewards points | Cash back (Reward Dollars) |
| Grocery earning | 2x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000/year, then 1x | 3% at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000/year, then 1% |
| Gas earning | 1x points | 3% at U.S. gas stations, up to $6,000/year, then 1% |
| Online shopping | 1x points | 3% on U.S. online retail purchases, up to $6,000/year, then 1% |
| Signature perk | 20% points bonus when you make 20+ purchases in a billing period | Flat, simple cash back with no activity hoops |
| Welcome offer | None (not available to new applicants) | Commonly $200 back after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months, as of July 2026; offers vary by applicant |
| Intro APR | 0% for 15 months when it was offered | 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR |
| Ongoing variable APR | Roughly 18% to 29% for existing cardholders, varies by account | Roughly 19.49% to 28.49% as of July 2026, varies by creditworthiness |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| Credit needed | N/A for new applicants | Based on our research, approved applicants typically have good credit, around 670 or higher |
Always confirm current rates and offers on American Express's site before applying, since terms change and welcome offers vary by person.
What the Amex EveryDay Card Still Offers Existing Holders
The EveryDay's pitch was Membership Rewards points with no annual fee. It earns 2x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1x, and 1x everywhere else.
Its signature trick is the 20% bonus: use the card 20 or more times in a billing period and you earn 20% extra points on those purchases. A disciplined user putting groceries and small purchases on it could push effective supermarket earning to about 2.4x points.
Points are the reason to keep this card. Membership Rewards transfer to airline and hotel partners, where careful redemptions can beat one cent per point in value. If you hold the EveryDay, it also preserves your credit history length at no cost, so closing it rarely makes sense.
What the Blue Cash Everyday Card Offers Today
The Blue Cash Everyday is the simpler product, and for most people the more valuable one. As of July 2026 it earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases, each capped at $6,000 per year in spending, then 1% after the cap. Everything else earns 1%.
Max out all three categories and that is up to $540 in cash back per year from the 3% categories alone, with no annual fee. New applicants may also be eligible for a welcome offer, commonly $200 back after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months, though Amex notes offers vary and not everyone is eligible.
The card includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of roughly 19.49% to 28.49% as of July 2026. Carrying a balance past the intro window gets expensive fast, so treat the intro period as a bridge, not a lifestyle.
One shared weakness: both cards charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, so neither belongs in your wallet on an international trip.
Which Card Wins in 2026?
For new applicants, availability decides it: the Blue Cash Everyday wins because it is the only one you can get. Even setting availability aside, 3% cash back across three everyday categories beats 2x points at supermarkets only, unless you actively transfer points to travel partners.
For existing EveryDay holders, the smart move is usually keeping the card open for its no-fee credit history and points access, while a card like the Blue Cash Everyday handles gas and online shopping. There is no rule against holding both.
If Your Credit Is Not Amex-Ready Yet
American Express cards generally target applicants with good credit. If your score is not there yet, applying repeatedly will not help, but a starter card that reports to all three bureaus will.
The Aspire Mastercard is a common stepping-stone. It is unsecured with no security deposit, accepts applicants in the fair-credit range, offers prequalification without a hard pull, and pays cash back while your on-time history builds toward Amex approval range.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Prefer to skip the credit check entirely? The Perpay Credit Card works from your paycheck: payments come out of direct deposit, no security deposit and no credit score are required to start, and members report an average score increase of about 32 points as reported by Perpay.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
A third route is the Arro Card, an unsecured starter card with no hard credit check that starts with a limit of up to $300 and can grow to $2,500, earning 1% back on gas and groceries along the way. Terms and conditions apply to all three, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
Twelve months of on-time payments on any of these can move you into the range where the Blue Cash Everyday's welcome offer and 3% categories become realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amex EveryDay card still available in 2026?
No. American Express stopped accepting new applications for the Amex EveryDay and EveryDay Preferred on September 25, 2024, and applications remain closed as of July 2026. Existing cardholders can keep using their cards normally.
Should I close my Amex EveryDay card?
Usually not. It has no annual fee, so keeping it open preserves your credit history length and available credit, both of which help your score. Closing it also ends your access to its Membership Rewards earning.
Which card is better for groceries?
The Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, which beats the EveryDay's 2x points for most people. Heavy Membership Rewards users who transfer points to travel partners may still squeeze more value from the EveryDay's 2x rate with the 20% bonus.
What credit score do you need for the Blue Cash Everyday?
American Express does not publish a required score. Based on our research, approved applicants typically have good credit, around 670 or higher, though income and overall profile matter too. Amex offers a prequalification check that will not affect your score.
