Amex Blue Cash Everyday: $0 Fee, 1% Back + $200 Bonus
Unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases, 3% on groceries and online retail, a $200 signup bonus after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months — and no annual fee.
At a Glance
Unlimited, all purchases
U.S. supermarkets, up to $6k/yr
After $2,000 in 6 months
Free forever
No annual fee — earn $200 after qualifying spend
Why the Blue Cash Everyday for US Users?
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday is one of the best no-annual-fee cashback credit cards in the US. You get unlimited 1% cashback on every purchase, with boosted rates in categories most people already spend in: 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%) and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000/year, then 1%).
The $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months is easy to hit with normal spending. There’s no annual fee, no minimum redemption threshold, and cashback is earned as statement credits you can apply at any time.
How It Stacks with VPN Cashback
If you’re buying a VPN through a US cashback platform like TopCashback or Rakuten, paying with the Blue Cash Everyday means you’re earning cashback at two levels:
- Cashback platform: Up to 100% back on the VPN subscription
- Amex Blue Cash Everyday: 1% back on the payment itself
For example, buying a NordVPN 2-year plan at $83.43 through TopCashback US:
- TopCashback: 100% cashback = $83.43 back
- Amex: 1% cashback = $0.83 back
- Total back: $84.26 — more than you paid
The 1% might seem small on one purchase, but across all your spending — online shopping, subscriptions, dining, travel — it adds up to meaningful money over a year. And since there’s no annual fee, every cent of cashback is pure profit.
Cashback Categories
3% at U.S. Supermarkets
Earn 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). This covers most major grocery chains. Note: superstores like Walmart and Target are typically coded as superstores, not supermarkets, and earn 1%.
3% on U.S. Online Retail
Earn 3% on U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%). This can include VPN purchases if the merchant is classified as online retail. Software subscriptions from companies like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and others may qualify.
3% on U.S. Gas Stations
Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Handy for commuters and road-trippers.
1% on Everything Else
All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cashback with no cap. No categories to track, no rotating bonuses to activate — just straightforward cashback on every swipe.
Key Features
$200 Statement Credit
New cardholders earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. That’s $333/month in spending — easily achievable with normal everyday purchases. The bonus alone makes this card worth getting.
No Annual Fee
The card is completely free to hold. No annual fee, no hidden charges. You only pay interest if you carry a balance. For a card that earns cashback on every purchase, this is a no-brainer to keep open indefinitely.
0% Intro APR
Get 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months (then a variable APR applies). This gives you flexibility on larger purchases without paying interest while you earn cashback.
Amex Offers
Access to Amex Offers — targeted discounts and cashback bonuses from specific merchants. These can include statement credits at restaurants, retailers, and subscription services. Check the app regularly for offers that stack on top of your base cashback.
Purchase Protection
Eligible purchases are covered for up to 120 days against accidental damage or theft, up to $1,000 per occurrence. American Express is known for strong cardholder protections.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Unlike many no-annual-fee cards, the Blue Cash Everyday has been updated with no foreign transaction fees — so you can use it for international purchases (like VPN subscriptions from overseas providers) without a 3% FX penalty.
Eligibility
To apply you’ll need:
- US residency with a valid SSN
- Good to excellent credit score (670+)
- Not currently holding or recently closed this specific Amex card (the signup bonus is generally once per card per lifetime)
Reputation
American Express is one of the most trusted financial brands in the world. The Blue Cash Everyday consistently ranks among the best no-annual-fee cashback cards by NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and other credit card comparison sites. Amex is known for excellent customer service, strong fraud protection, and easy-to-use mobile apps.
The Bottom Line
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday is the ideal everyday credit card for US users who want cashback without complexity. With 1% on everything, 3% on groceries, online retail, and gas, a $200 signup bonus, and no annual fee, there’s no cost to having it and no reason not to.
Combined with a cashback platform like TopCashback or Rakuten for VPN purchases, you’re stacking rewards at two levels — getting the VPN for free through platform cashback and earning 1% (or potentially 3%) back from Amex on the payment itself.
Earn $200 + Unlimited 1% Cashback
Apply for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday. No annual fee, 3% on groceries and online retail, 1% on everything else.
Apply for Amex Blue Cash EverydayUS only · $0 annual fee · $200 welcome bonus