Compare the Features and Benefits of Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and
Citi Strata℠ Card

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a well-rounded card offering no annual fee and cash back on three key spending categories, including on online purchases. If your focus is on maximizing your earnings towards pure cash back (as opposed to travel rewards), the Everyday Card is a solid option worth considering.

If your spending aligns with purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, or U.S. online retail (who doesn’t shop at online retailers?) — and cash back is your main objective from a credit card — then this becomes an even easier decision. That’s because the Everyday Card earns 3% cash back on these three categories, up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each (then 1%). In addition, the Everyday Card offers a statement credit with several merchants including select streaming services and Home Chef, a rarity for a card with no annual fee (enrollment required).

Of course, it pays to consider other options, including this card’s sister product, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards may offer slightly more cash back depending on your monthly expenses.

Rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

As a no-annual-fee card, the Citi Strata℠ Card doesn’t come with a ton of additional benefits. However, the primary thing to note before applying is the impressive earning potential. As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 at supermarkets and on gas purchases. You’ll earn 2 points per $1 at restaurants, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

In addition, you have the opportunity to self-select a 3X earning category from a list of options: fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, and pet supply stores. Sure, it would be nice to see travel listed as a self-select option, but we can’t have it all. The ability to personalize your earning potential is fantastic.

If you subscribe to every streaming service out there, you can earn a solid chunk of points each month. If you have a pricey gym membership, you might as well earn as much as possible while you’re working out. And if you love going to concerts, live entertainment is your best option.

You’ll also earn 5 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through cititravel.com. If you prefer to book directly with the provider, this won’t do you much good. However, you can try to book your attractions through the portal when you go on vacation to maximize your earning potential.

The welcome bonus, although not extremely high, is easily accessible for most people. You can spend your bonus points by booking travel through Citi Travel at a flat rate of 1 cent per point. Or, you can stretch your points farther by taking advantage of Citi’s comprehensive list of transfer partners — which includes American Airlines. Although you’ll transfer at a lower ratio than if you held the Citi Strata Elite℠ or the Citi Strata Premier®, having access to American Airlines is phenomenal.

Unfortunately, cardholders won’t be able to take advantage of any statement credits or be covered by things like trip cancellation coverage or cell phone insurance. Still, the Citi Strata℠ Card is worth considering.