Amex EveryDay Preferred Rewards Playbook for Groceries, Gas and Travel

Why Amex EveryDay Preferred works for everyday spends

The Amex EveryDay Preferred credit card from American Express is built for U.S. consumers who want to squeeze value from groceries, gas and travel without paying premium card fees. With a $95 annual fee it sits between no-fee options and high-end travel cards, offering Membership Rewards points that are flexible and transferable.

For families and commuters who put regular spend on the card, the combination of 3x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), 2x at U.S. gas stations and 2x on eligible travel booked through Amex Travel makes it a top pick. Those point rates turn routine purchases into real travel value when transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Reward rates and practical benefits

New cardholders can often earn a welcome bonus like 15,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting the initial spend requirement, which helps offset the first-year fee. Ongoing earnings of 1x on other purchases keep every dollar working, and transfers to partners give outsized redemption options for flights and hotels.

Extras like a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (followed by a variable rate) and built-in protections—purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection—add everyday peace of mind. If you shop online or buy electronics, those protections can save you time and money compared with no-rewards cards.

Smart ways to boost your Membership Rewards

The standout growth mechanic is the 50% points bonus for making 30 or more purchases in a billing cycle, which turns frequent small transactions into big returns. Use the Amex EveryDay Preferred for recurring bills, groceries, gas runs and small local purchases to hit that threshold naturally.

Pair the card with another no-fee backup for categories where Amex acceptance is spotty, but make groceries and gas your EveryDay Preferred priority. Also, time larger grocery stocking trips or family gas fill-ups during billing cycles when you’re close to 30 transactions to trigger the multiplier.

Protection, fees and whether it’s right for you

The $95 annual fee is reasonable if you’re consistently earning points on groceries, gas and travel; casual spenders may prefer no-fee cards. Consider your acceptance habits—American Express isn’t accepted everywhere in the U.S.—so a two-card strategy often works best.

If you travel occasionally and value transferable Membership Rewards, the card delivers strong ROI for everyday spenders. Ready to maximize groceries, gas and travel? Review your monthly expenses, run the math on 3x and 2x earnings, and apply online if the numbers add up to more than $95 a year in value.