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- Amex EveryDay Credit Card at a Glance
- How the 2x Points on Groceries Actually Work
- Other Rewards and Everyday Earning
- Who Is the Amex EveryDay Credit Card Best For?
- Comparing the Amex EveryDay to Other Grocery Cards
- Pros and Cons of the Amex EveryDay Credit Card
- Strategies to Maximize Your Amex EveryDay Rewards
- Is the Amex EveryDay Credit Card Worth It?
- Real-World Experiences: Living With the Amex EveryDay (Extra )
If your grocery cart is always full but you’re not earning decent rewards on all that bread
(literally and figuratively), the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card might be your new
shopping buddy. This no-annual-fee card earns 2x points at U.S. supermarkets and gives you
a unique bonus if you use it frequently, turning your weekly grocery runs into a steady stream
of American Express Membership Rewards points you can use for travel, gift cards, or statement
credits.
In this in-depth Amex EveryDay Credit Card review, we’ll break down how the 2x points on
groceries work, who this card is best for, how it compares to other popular grocery cards,
and how to squeeze every last drop of value out of its rewards structurewithout blowing
your budget in the snack aisle.
Amex EveryDay Credit Card at a Glance
- Rewards on groceries: 2x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1x.
- Other rewards: 2x points on travel booked through AmexTravel.com (on some current structures) and 1x point on other eligible purchases.
- Use it often bonus: 20% extra points when you make 20 or more purchases in a billing period.
- Annual fee: $0 (yes, zero, nada).
- Rewards currency: American Express Membership Rewards points.
- Intro APR offers: Often features a limited-time introductory 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers (offers change, so always check current terms when you apply).
The headline feature is simple but powerful: 2x points on groceries with no annual fee. For
households that spend a meaningful amount at U.S. supermarkets every year, that can add up
quicklyespecially if you also trigger the 20% points bonus by using the card frequently.
How the 2x Points on Groceries Actually Work
U.S. Supermarkets and the $6,000 Annual Cap
The Amex EveryDay Credit Card earns 2x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to
$6,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x point per dollar after that. “U.S. supermarkets”
generally means stand-alone grocery stores in the United States. Big-box stores and warehouse
clubs like Walmart, Target, and Costco usually don’t code as supermarkets for this bonus
category, even if they sell groceries.
If you maximize the grocery categoryspending the full $6,000 at eligible supermarkets
you’ll earn:
- 12,000 points from 2x at supermarkets (6,000 x 2).
- Plus more if you trigger the 20% bonus (we’ll get to that next).
For many households, $6,000 a year in supermarket spending is not unrealistic. That’s about
$500 per month, which is pretty normal for a couple or small family. If your grocery bill is
higher, you’ll still earn 1x points on the extra spending, which is better than nothing but
might not be competitive with some premium grocery cards.
The 20% Points Bonus for Frequent Use
One of the quirkiestand most interestingfeatures of the Amex EveryDay Credit Card is the
20% extra points you earn when you make 20 or more purchases in a billing period. It doesn’t
matter what those purchases are or how small; they just have to be separate transactions.
When you hit that 20-purchase mark, American Express calculates your points for the billing
period and then adds 20% more on top. That means:
- 2x at supermarkets effectively becomes 2.4x points.
- 1x on other spending becomes 1.2x points.
Practically speaking, this bonus is designed for people who use the card a lot. If you rely
on the Amex EveryDay Credit Card for most of your daily swipescoffee runs, grocery trips,
pharmacy purchases, small online ordersit’s not hard to get to 20 transactions in a month.
But if you’re a “set and forget” spender who uses just a couple of cards and keeps most
purchases on a different card, you might miss out on this extra value.
How Much Are Membership Rewards Points Worth?
Membership Rewards points are flexible, which is one of the main reasons people like the
Amex EveryDay Credit Card. The value of those points depends on how you redeem them:
- Travel transfers: If you move points to airline or hotel partners and redeem them strategically, you can often get 1.5 cents per point or more in value.
- Gift cards and statement credits: These typically give you around 0.7–1.0 cents per point.
- Pay with Points at checkout: Often around 0.7 cents per point.
If we assume a conservative value of 1 cent per point with decent redemptions, 12,000 points
from maxing the grocery category is about $120 in value each yearbefore any extra points
from the 20% bonus or spending in other categories. That’s not bad at all for a card with no
annual fee.
Other Rewards and Everyday Earning
Beyond supermarket purchases, the Amex EveryDay Credit Card generally earns:
- 2x points on travel booked through AmexTravel.com (for current versions using that structure).
- 1x point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
While the 1x rate isn’t thrilling, it’s standard for many entry-level rewards cards. The
difference here is that you’re earning Membership Rewards points instead of simple cash back,
which can be far more valuable if you’re interested in free or discounted travel.
If you’re trying to build a Membership Rewards strategy on a budget, the Amex EveryDay card
can be a solid starter or “feeder” card, helping you pile up points while you decide whether
to graduate to a more premium card later.
Who Is the Amex EveryDay Credit Card Best For?
The Ideal Cardholder Profile
The Amex EveryDay Credit Card is best suited for people who:
- Spend regularly at U.S. supermarkets, but not enough to justify a high annual fee card.
- Want to earn transferable travel points rather than straight cash back.
- Like the idea of “set it and forget it” grocery rewards with no annual fee to worry about.
- Make a lot of smaller purchases and can consistently hit 20 transactions in a month.
If you’re building your credit profile, enjoy travel, and are willing to learn how to use
points well, this card can be an easy entry point into the Membership Rewards ecosystem.
Who Should Probably Skip It
You might want to look at other cards if:
- You spend a lot more than $6,000 per year on groceries and want higher earning rates.
- You prefer simple cash back over flexible travel rewards.
- You already have premium Amex cards that earn more points on the same categories.
- Your main grocery stores don’t code as U.S. supermarkets.
For heavy supermarket spenders, cards like the American Express Gold Card (which earns 4x
points at U.S. supermarkets up to a much higher cap, but charges an annual fee) or cash-back
options like Blue Cash Preferred from Amex may deliver more total value, depending on your
habits and how you redeem rewards.
Comparing the Amex EveryDay to Other Grocery Cards
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred
The Amex EveryDay Preferred is the “big sibling” of the EveryDay card. It charges an annual
fee but offers:
- 3x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to an annual cap).
- Gas and travel bonuses on top of that.
- A 50% points bonus when you make 30 or more purchases in a billing period.
If your spending is high and you’re diligent about hitting that 30-purchase threshold, the
Preferred version can be significantly more rewarding. But if you want to keep life simple
with no annual fee, the basic Amex EveryDay card is easier to live with while still earning
respectable rewards.
Amex EveryDay vs. Amex Gold
The Amex Gold Card is a powerhouse when it comes to groceries and dining, offering 4x points
at U.S. supermarkets (up to a generous cap) and 4x at restaurants, plus statement credits
that can offset the annual fee if you use them consistently. However, that fee is
substantial, and it demands a certain level of spending and organization to be worth it.
Think of the relationship like this:
- Amex EveryDay: “I want good rewards, no annual fee, and a straightforward card.”
- Amex Gold: “I’m okay paying an annual fee to get top-tier rewards on groceries and dining, and I’ll actually use the credits.”
Amex EveryDay vs. Cash-Back Grocery Cards
Cash-back cards like the Blue Cash Everyday or Blue Cash Preferred offer flat cash-back
percentages instead of points. They’re fantastic if you:
- Don’t care about travel redemptions.
- Just want to save money on groceries and gas in the simplest way possible.
On the other hand, the Amex EveryDay Credit Card shines when you’re willing to put a bit
of effort into learning travel partners and redemption strategies. If you like the idea of
booking flights and hotels with points, it can be more rewarding in the long run than
simple cash backespecially since there’s no annual fee eating into your returns.
Pros and Cons of the Amex EveryDay Credit Card
Pros
- No annual fee: Easier to justify keeping the card long term.
- 2x on groceries: Solid earning rate at U.S. supermarkets up to the $6,000 annual cap.
- 20% extra points for frequent use: Encourages everyday spending and boosts overall rewards.
- Full Membership Rewards access: Ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners when paired with eligible accounts.
- Good “starter” card: Friendly option if you want to dip your toes into travel rewards without paying an annual fee.
Cons
- Category cap at $6,000: Heavy grocery shoppers may hit this limit quickly.
- Requires 20+ purchases for the bonus: If you don’t swipe often, you miss out on extra points.
- Not the highest earning grocery card: Premium cards can earn more but come with annual fees.
- American Express acceptance: While acceptance is strong in the U.S., it can be limited at smaller merchants and abroad compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Strategies to Maximize Your Amex EveryDay Rewards
1. Put All Eligible Groceries on the Card
This one is obvious but crucial: make sure all your eligible supermarket purchases go on the
Amex EveryDay Credit Cardat least until you hit the $6,000 annual cap. That includes weekly
grocery runs, last-minute ingredient grabs, and even gift cards purchased at the supermarket
(if they code correctly and you’re comfortable with that strategy).
2. Use the Card for Lots of Small Purchases
To earn the 20% bonus, think of the Amex EveryDay as your default “small purchase” card:
- Morning coffee.
- Quick pharmacy pickup.
- Small online orders.
- Streaming subscription payments.
These little transactions add up to the 20-purchase threshold surprisingly fast, especially
if you share the card with a partner or spouse. Just make sure you’re not overspending just
to earn pointsrewards should follow your budget, not drive it.
3. Pair It with Another Card
Many people pair the Amex EveryDay with a premium Amex or a strong cash-back card. For example:
- Use a premium card (like Amex Gold) for dining and travel.
- Use the Amex EveryDay for U.S. supermarkets if you’re staying under the cap or want to avoid higher annual fees.
- Use a non-Amex card for places that don’t accept American Express.
This blended strategy lets you maximize rewards across categories while keeping your overall
costs reasonable.
Is the Amex EveryDay Credit Card Worth It?
If you’re looking for a simple way to earn flexible travel rewards from everyday spending
especially grocerieswithout paying an annual fee, the Amex EveryDay Credit Card is absolutely
worth a look. It’s not the flashiest card on the market, and it’s not going to dominate
every spending category, but it quietly does its job well.
Think of it as the “reliable sedan” of rewards cards: it may not have a turbocharged engine
or luxury leather seats, but it gets you from point A to point B efficiently and cheaply.
If you later decide you want a sports car, you can upgrade to more premium Amex products and
keep this one as a no-fee backup that continues to add to your Membership Rewards balance.
Real-World Experiences: Living With the Amex EveryDay (Extra )
Beyond the numbers and charts, what is it actually like to live with the Amex EveryDay
Credit Card as your main “grocery and small stuff” card? Let’s talk about some practical
experiences and scenarios that show how this card works in real life.
Picture a typical month for a household that uses this card strategically. On Sundays, they
hit the local supermarket for a big weekly grocery run: produce, pantry staples, snacks for
the kids, and maybe a couple of frozen pizzas for “I don’t feel like cooking” nights. That
single trip might easily total $150–$250, earning 300–500 points thanks to the 2x grocery
rate. Do that four times a month and you’re already looking at 1,200–2,000 points just from
groceries.
Now layer in the smaller charges. One partner uses the Amex EveryDay to pay for a $4 coffee
on the way to work a few times a week. The other uses it for a $15 streaming subscription,
a couple of pharmacy purchases, and the occasional $20 online order. Each of these is a
separate transaction, nudging the total number of purchases closer to that magic 20 mark.
Mid-month, they check their account and see they’re at 17 purchases. That’s when they get
intentional: one or two extra small chargeslike splitting a grocery run into two transactions
or using the card for a small takeout ordercan push them over the line. When the statement
closes, they’ve earned not only their base points but also a 20% bonus on everything they
charged that month.
Over time, this rhythm becomes second nature. They don’t have to obsess or track every
single transaction in a spreadsheet; they just know that using the Amex EveryDay often,
especially for groceries and modest everyday purchases, keeps the rewards flowing. The result
is a growing points balance that feels like a low-effort side hustle.
Another common experience: pairing this card with a more premium Amex. For example, someone
might hold an Amex Gold for 4x points at restaurants and higher-value grocery rewards, but
still keep the Amex EveryDay around for a partner who prefers a simple, no-fee card. That
partner uses the EveryDay for their own grocery runs and everyday spending, still feeding
the same Membership Rewards ecosystem. When it’s time to plan a trip, all those points collected
from both cards can be combined and transferred to a frequent flyer program for flights.
There’s also a psychological benefit to using a no-annual-fee card like this one. If life
changessay your income drops, your travel slows down, or you want to simplify your walletyou
can always downgrade or cancel high-fee cards but keep the Amex EveryDay open. Maintaining
an older, fee-free account can help your credit history, while still giving you the ability
to earn a little extra value every time you walk down the cereal aisle.
On the flip side, some people discover through experience that the Amex EveryDay isn’t quite
enough on its own. Maybe they travel frequently and want airport lounge access, or their
grocery bill is so high that they would be better off with a card that earns more than 2x
on grocerieseven if it charges a fee. In those cases, the EveryDay card ends up as a backup
or secondary card, pulled out occasionally but not central to the strategy. That’s okay too;
because there’s no annual fee, the card doesn’t have to justify its existence every year.
Overall, the real-world experience of using the Amex EveryDay Credit Card often boils down
to this: if you are intentional but not obsessive, it rewards you consistently. You don’t
need to memorize a dozen rotating categories or chase quarterly activation bonuses. You just
need to put your supermarket spending on the card, use it regularly enough to trigger the
20% bonus most months, and then redeem your Membership Rewards points smartly. Over a year
or two, those habits can add up to real savingsor even a free tripthanks to a card that
doesn’t charge you an annual fee for the privilege.
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