Amex EveryDay card review: Explore the world of Membership Rewards

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is a great choice for novice travelers who aren’t ready for an annual fee. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking for a fee-free card. Although the earning rate and benefits aren’t extraordinary, it provides full access to the popular Membership Rewards program. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

I still recall the excitement of receiving my first travel credit card, collecting the welcome bonus, and using it to book my first award flight. Coming from a family that didn’t support credit cards, it was my first encounter with how the right card could enable experiences beyond my budget. It also introduced me to the industry that would eventually lead me to join the incredible TPG team.

Beginner travel rewards cards like the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, though not as rewarding as some top-tier options, can teach new users the benefits of strategic card spending. Plus, it has no annual fee and suggests a credit score of 670 for approval.

Keeping that in mind, let’s explore Amex’s introductory card for its Membership Rewards program.

The details for the Amex EveryDay card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information presented on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Pros and cons of the Amex EveryDay

Welcome offer for Amex EveryDay

Currently, you can earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first six months. According to TPG's June 2024 valuations, this bonus is valued at $200, comparable to other no-annual-fee cards. While this offer is modest at best, it’s easily attainable and can provide a great start to your earning potential with the card.

Remember that American Express imposes a once-per-card-per-lifetime restriction on welcome bonuses. Specifically, you can earn a bonus only if you’ve never held the card before. It’s crucial to secure the bonus on your first attempt, as you won’t have the opportunity again in the future.

Benefits of the Amex EveryDay

As a starter credit card, it doesn't provide numerous perks. However, two main benefits give this card an edge over its rivals.

Unlike most no-annual-fee cards, the Amex EveryDay offers complete access to the Membership Rewards program and all the associated benefits. This means you don’t need another Amex card to utilize the issuer's transfer partners. While its earning structure may not be extremely rewarding, you’re still accumulating some of the most valuable points available.

Additionally, like all Amex Membership Rewards cards, you’ll enjoy free two-day shipping on eligible orders through ShopRunner, access to the Global Assist Hotline, and car rental loss and damage insurance. Some benefits require enrollment.

Accumulating points with the Amex EveryDay

You’ll earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel booked through Amex Travel and on your first $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar), as well as 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. While the earning rate isn’t particularly thrilling, maxing out the supermarket bonus category alone can yield $240 in rewards value over the year.

You’ll receive a special 20% bonus on all spending when you make 20 or more purchases in a month. If you consistently meet this threshold, you’ll earn 2.4 points per dollar on Amex Travel and supermarket purchases (resulting in an impressive 4.8% return) and 1.2 points per dollar (a 2.4% return) on everyday spending according to TPG valuations.

How to redeem points with the Amex EveryDay

With Membership Rewards, each point can deliver significant value.

When redeeming points directly for airfare through Amex Travel, you’ll receive 1 cent per point, while hotel room redemptions yield less than 1 cent per point.

While you can redeem your points for cash back, Amazon purchases, gift cards, and more, you’ll achieve the highest value when using your points for travel. To truly maximize your rewards, take advantage of Amex's airline and hotel transfer partners (see below).

Transferring rewards with the Amex EveryDay

According to TPG's June 2024 valuations, Membership Rewards points are valued at 2 cents each, primarily due to the program’s airline and hotel transfer partners. This includes at least one beneficial option in each major airline alliance: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld.

Typically, transferring your points to the appropriate airline or hotel program is the best strategy to maximize the value of your Membership Rewards points.

TPG managing editor Matt Moffitt enjoys maximizing his Membership Rewards points by utilizing transfer bonuses. He particularly favors transferring points to Iberia Plus for lie-flat seating to Madrid.

What cards rival the Amex EveryDay?

There are plenty of competitor cards available with annual fees of $100 or less.

• If you seek more Amex benefits: The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card comes with a $95 annual fee and also accrues Membership Rewards points. Additionally, if you complete 30 or more transactions within a billing cycle, you’ll receive a 50% boost in your earnings. For further details, read our full review of the EveryDay Preferred.
• If you prefer Chase: Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card earns 2 points per dollar on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining, with both categories broadly defined. Since the bonus categories do not overlap with the Amex EveryDay Preferred, they can be used together. For more insights, check our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
• If cash back is your goal: Look into the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (see rates and fees). This card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1% thereafter), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases. Cash back is awarded in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable as a statement credit or during checkout at Amazon.com. For additional information, read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred.

For more alternatives, explore our full list of the best travel cards.

The details for the Amex EveryDay Preferred Card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information presented on this page has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Is the Amex EveryDay a worthwhile option?

Overall, this card serves as a decent entry-level travel card for newcomers to points, allowing you to earn valuable Membership Rewards on eligible travel and supermarket purchases without an annual fee. While other starter cards might offer higher earning rates, those rewards won’t be as beneficial until you combine those cards with a premium card later on.

Key takeaways

If you’re looking to begin your journey with travel rewards, the Amex EveryDay card is a solid choice.

Amex Membership Rewards cards are a fantastic choice, as they offer some of the most valuable points available, making this an ideal way to start with the program.