The Everyday Preferred earns 3.0X on groceries, 2.0X on gas, 1.0X on all_purchases, 1.0X on bonus_multiplier with a $95 annual fee.
Our Verdict
The Everyday Preferred is a points rewards card from American Express that carries a $95/yr on the visa network. At its core it earns 1.0X Membership Rewards on everyday purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders who want predictable, consistent returns.
Points enthusiasts will find the most flexibility with the Everyday Preferred. Membership Rewards can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to loyalty partners. Cardholders who maximize transfer partners often extract 1.5–2+ cents per point, well above face value.
The $95/yr fee is the key variable — run the numbers against your actual spending. If the rewards and benefits offset the fee, this card earns its place in your wallet. If not, consider a comparable no-fee alternative.
Apply for the Everyday Preferred →Rewards Structure
Fee Analysis
The Everyday Preferred charges $95 per year. To justify this fee, you need to earn at least $95 in rewards and benefits annually.
At the base 1X earn rate (valued at ~1 cent per dollar), you would need to spend approximately $9,500/year on the card to break even on the annual fee through rewards alone — not counting perks and benefits.
Where This Card Earns Bonus Rewards
| Category | MCC Code | Bonus Rate | Example Merchants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 5411 Grocery Stores, Supermarkets | 3x | 99 Ranch Market, Acme Markets, Albertsons, Albertsons - Albuquerque |
| Grocery | 5422 Meat Provisioners – Freezer and Locker | 3x | Kansas City Steaks, Omaha Steaks, Snake River Farms, SteakEz |
| Grocery | 5441 Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores | 3x | Fannie May, Godiva Chocolatier, Jelly Belly, Pepperidge Farm |
| Grocery | 5451 Dairy Products Stores | 3x | Kemps, Oberweis Dairy, Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farm |
| Dining | 5812 Eating places and Restaurants | 2x | Acapulco Restaurant, Another Broken Egg, Applebee's, Applebee's - Albuquerque |
| Dining | 5813 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs and Discotheques | 2x | AMF Bowling Centers, Angry Orchard, Applebee's Bar, Bar Louie |
Click any MCC code or merchant name to see all cards that earn bonus rewards there.
Benefits
Effective Annual Fee
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- 3X top earn rate on bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $95 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
How to Apply
You can apply for the Everyday Preferred directly through American Express's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and requires your Social Security number, annual income, and housing payment information. Most applicants receive an instant decision. Note that the $95 annual fee is typically not charged until your first statement closes.
Before applying, check if you are pre-approved on American Express's website — a pre-approval uses a soft pull and does not affect your credit score.