The American Express® Green Card is not a metal card. However, the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express are.
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The information related to the American Express® Green Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
The American Express® Green Card may not be as popular as other Amex travel credit cards, but it has plenty of redeeming qualities. The card offers a $189 credit toward CLEAR Plus membership annually, along with up to $100 in credits toward LoungeBuddy airport lounge visits each year*. If you use these benefits regularly, that’s more than enough to make up for this card’s $150 annual fee.
Its best feature may be its 3X earning rate on a wide variety of purchases, including travel, transit and dining worldwide. This along with a substantial welcome offer for new cardmembers can add up to a lot of points in your first year.
However, if you’re already sold on the value of Amex’s Membership Rewards program, you may find that it makes more sense to go with the American Express® Gold Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Not the right card for you? Check out our other top travel credit cards.
*Enrollment required for these benefits.
Welcome offer (3.6 out of 5 stars)
New cardmembers can earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. This is a fair-sized offer for a mid-range travel credit card. Considering American Express Membership Rewards value can reach 2 cents per point (approximately) when transferred to airline and hotel partners for a premium redemption, this offer is worth around $800.
However, if your goal is to score a large sign-up bonus for free travel, you can find similarly priced cards with larger offers, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Who’s eligible to apply? According to Amex, you may not be eligible for this offer if you have had this card in the past, or if you have had The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or the American Express® Gold Card. You may also be ineligible if you have had any previous versions of these cards.
That said, American Express notifies you when you apply if you’re ineligible for a welcome offer, and gives you a chance to cancel before a hard inquiry is performed.
Earning points (4.8 out of 5 stars)
The American Express® Green Card offers a generous earning rate that applies to travel purchases, dining and transit. It’s also worth noting that travel doesn’t have to be purchased through AmexTravel.com to earn bonus rewards in this category.
How many points can you earn? Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. Also earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. Additionally, earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
Still, there are more rewarding travel credit cards, including the American Express® Gold Card. For a higher $325 annual fee (see rates & fees), you can earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. If you want to earn the most points for travel, the American Express® Gold Card may be the better option.
Rewards earned per $1 spent*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Redeeming points (4 out of 5 stars)
A major advantage of American Express Membership Rewards points is their versatility. You can redeem points for travel, cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more.
If you want the flexibility to fly with any airline, Membership Rewards points are one of your best bets. You’ll get 1 cent per point on travel with any airline through the Amex Membership Rewards portal, with no blackout dates or restrictions.
| Redemption option | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs | Depends on program (around 2 cents on average) |
| Book flights through the Amex Travel portal | 1 cent |
| Book hotels through the Amex Travel portal | 0.7 cents |
| Redeem for gift cards | 0.5 to 1 cent |
| Shop with points | 0.5 cents |
| Pay with your points at checkout | 0.7 to 1 cents |
| Cover your card charges and receive a statement credit | 0.6 cents |
You can also transfer Membership Rewards points, mostly at a 1:1 ratio, to 15+ hotel and airline loyalty programs. Point transfers give you the potential to get more value for each point, especially if you use points for a luxury hotel stay or a premium airfare redemption. If you want to stretch your points as far as possible, the American Express® Green Card is a good card to have.
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→ Learn more about redeeming Membership Rewards points
Other benefits (3 out of 5 stars)
The American Express® Green Card offers additional perks that can more than make up for its annual fee each year, including more than $200 worth of travel credits. It also includes a decent suite of travel and purchase protections. But, it lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access. If you travel heavily and enjoy luxury travel perks, you should consider cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
*Enrollment required for these benefits.
→ See the best credit cards for travel insurance
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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American Express® Green Card*
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Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. Also earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. Additionally, earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. | Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $150 | ||
American Express® Gold Card
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Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply | Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. | $325 | ||
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
 Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | $95 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel | Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | $395 |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Cardholders also get a few benefits that may be easier to use, including up to $120 in Uber cash toward U.S. rides and eats each year and up to $120 in dining credits at eligible eateries*. Note that both annual statement credits are given out in monthly increments of $10, so you have to utilize them often to get the full value.
*Enrollment required.
It’s a better option for earning points on everyday spending, with bonus categories like dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. It’s also the best card for those who prefer simpler redemption options, since you can redeem points for any travel purchase for 1 cent per point, or through Chase’s travel portal for a 25% bonus.
A huge sign-up bonus is available for cardholders within the first few months of account opening. It also includes a better set of travel protections, including primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay coverage.
Its miles are more flexible than the American Express® Green Card, since you can redeem them for any travel purchase for a value of 1 cent per mile. You can also transfer points to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, though — unlike the American Express® Green Card — that list doesn’t include any major U.S. airlines.
The American Express® Green Card is best for individuals who want to earn transferable points without paying more than $150 per year for the privilege. Cardholders who spend a lot on travel, transit and dining can also benefit from this card due to its generous rewards rate in these categories. Frequent travelers will also benefit from its CLEAR Plus and LoungeBuddy benefits*.
Just remember that there are other cards that earn Membership Rewards points with better rewards and benefits. The American Express® Gold Card may also suit your needs better if you spend a lot on food and airfare. And, if you’re willing to pay $695 per year and you want all the luxury travel benefits you could possibly get, you can even consider The Platinum Card® from American Express.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
1. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
2. Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The American Express® Green Card is not a metal card. However, the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express are.
This card comes with secondary auto rental coverage on eligible rental periods of up to 30 days that’s worth up to $50,000 for damage or theft.
The American Express® Green Card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
The American Express® Green Card lets you carry a balance on some purchases with its Pay Over Time feature. This makes it unlike traditional charge cards that require you to pay the full balance charged to your card every billing period.
American Express doesn’t disclose the minimum or maximum credit limit for this card.
American Express considers its approval process to be proprietary information, thus it doesn’t publish a minimum credit score for this card. However, this card is recommended for people with good / excellent credit.