Table of Contents In this article

Why You Can Trust CNET Money

CNET Money’s mission is to help you maximize your financial potential. Our recommendations are based on our editors’ independent research and analysis, and we continuously update our content to reflect current partner offers. How we rate credit cards
Advertiser Disclosure

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

American Express EveryDay Card: An Introductory Travel Rewards Credit Card

This simple, no-annual-fee card can help you earn points toward flights on all purchases at US grocery stores.

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

4.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
CNET’S PICK
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Learn More

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

4.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
10,000 Points Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$0
APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable
Rewards rate
1x – 2x 2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 1x points on other purchases
Rewards Rate
2x
2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x)
1x
1x points on other purchases
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* is an introductory travel rewards credit card that offers lower-than-average rates on U.S. supermarket purchases. Rewards are doled out as Membership Rewards® Points, the rewards currency of American Express. If you’re interested in the American Express rewards program, the EveryDay Card offers a no-annual-fee entryway.

If you’re looking for higher rewards rates or if you spend more than $500 on groceries per month, other credit cards might offer higher potential value.

Here’s what you need to know about the EveryDay card to figure out if it’s the right fit for your wallet.

Welcome offer

New card members can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months of card ownership. Those 10,000 points are worth $100 when redeemed toward flights through American Express Travel and less if you redeem them another way, like as a statement credit.

This value is lower than our top no-annual-fee credit cards but could translate into a useful discount for an upcoming flight. The $2,000 spending threshold comes out to $334 of spending per month. This is average (if not slightly higher) compared to our top rewards credit card picks, making this welcome offer less accessible and less valuable than top competitors. 

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 

Rewards

The EveryDay Card has a simple and straightforward reward structure. You earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases annually (then 1%) -- this breaks down to $500 per month. For all other eligible purchases, you earn 1x Membership Rewards® Points. 

If you spend more than $500 a month on groceries, there are other grocery rewards credit cards with higher rewards spending limits -- and even some without this limitation. And, since many flat-rate rewards cards offer a solid 2% cash-back rate on all purchases, the EveryDay Card’s supermarket rate is uninspiring. 

Redemption options

There are various ways to redeem Membership Rewards® Points, but only a couple will help you maximize their value. 

The two best ways to redeem your points are by booking travel through the American Express Travel portal or transferring them to one of over a dozen partner airlines. When booking flights through American Express Travel, you’ll get a 1 cent per point redemption rate on flights. 

When transferring your points to an airline partner, you’ll usually get a one-to-one transfer value, so MR points are worth 1 point or mile of the partner’s currency, whether Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios or another. (I personally tend to favor Delta Economy when I fly, and I can usually get 1 cent per mile or a little more when I redeem SkyMiles.) Redeeming your points for gift cards will also yield up to 1 cent per point.

However, the redemption value is only 0.7 cent per point for prepaid hotels, cruises and prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel. When you use your points directly on Amazon, they’re also worth 0.7 cent per point. But if you want to redeem your Membership Rewards points as a statement credit, they’re only worth 0.6 cent each. 

Comparable cards

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3% cash-back rewards on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases and U.S. gas station purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases for each category, then 1%). Like the EveryDay card, the Blue Cash Everyday doesn’t charge an annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. It’s a good option to consider if you’re eyeing the EveryDay card and are open to earning cash back instead of Membership Rewards® Points. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash Card* is another no-annual-fee rewards credit card, but its rewards structure differs slightly. Instead of offering rewards on specific categories, the Custom Cash card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent in that category (then 1%). You don’t need to select the category in advance or worry about activating rotating categories – it’s automatic. The eligible categories include restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and more, so if you’re looking for good grocery store reward rates, as well as rewards for other spending, the Custom Cash could offer significant value.

How Amex EveryDay® Credit Card compares to other cards

CNET’S PICK
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Learn More

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

4.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
10,000 Points Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$0
APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable
Intro Purchase APR
0% on purchases for 15 months
Rewards rate
1x – 2x 2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 1x points on other purchases
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Learn More

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

5.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
See Rates & Fees Terms apply
Intro Offer
Earn $200 Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0
APR
19.24% – 29.99% Variable
Intro Purchase APR
0% on Purchases for 15 months
Rewards rate
1% – 3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 1% Cash Back on other purchases
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Learn More

Citi Custom Cash® Card

7.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
$200 Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
APR
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APR
0% for 15 months on purchases
Rewards rate
1% – 5% Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.; Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.; Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

FAQs

Membership Rewards® Points are the American Express rewards currency, You can redeem Amex points in several ways. Unlike cash-back rewards, which offer statement credits or checks in the mail for earning rewards, you’ll redeem Membership Rewards® Points for specific uses, like travel or gift cards. You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to an affiliate travel partner, like a hotel or airline loyalty program, typically at a 1:1 ratio.

You earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points for every dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year). For every dollar spent above this threshold, you’ll earn 1x Membership Rewards® Point per dollar spent. All other eligible spending with the EveryDay card will earn you 1x Membership Rewards® Point per dollar.

To earn 2x points with the EveryDay card, you need to shop at a supermarket located in the U.S. Eligible stores do not include superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs or meal-kit delivery services, which means stores like Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club will not yield 2x points. But your local chain grocery store might.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.

*All information about the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and the Citi Custom Cash Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

Joe Van Brussel is a freelance writer for CNET Money, where he deciphers obfuscatory credit card offers and breaks them down so consumers actually know what belongs in their wallet. He also covers other aspects of personal finance, from life insurance and loans to tax software and the impact of broader economic trends on individuals. Joe believes the United States will win the World Cup in his lifetime, and wishes New York City apartments came standard with thick, noise-reducing windows.