American Express
American Express Green Card
Large welcome offer worth an estimated $1200
- Annual fee
- $150
- Welcome offer
- ~$1,200
- Annual benefits value
- $39
- Est. 1st-year value
- $1,239
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Our review
The American Express Green Card is a simpler travel-focused rewards card that earns elevated points on a broad definition of travel, transit, and dining. It sits below the Gold and Platinum cards, with a lower annual fee and a lighter set of benefits.
It ranks as a straightforward entry point into the Membership Rewards ecosystem, appealing to travelers who want transferable points and no foreign transaction fees without a premium annual fee. Note that American Express has limited new applications for this product at times, so it may not be openly available to new applicants; confirm current availability before planning to apply.
The main value proposition is broad travel and dining earning combined with flexible points and a travel-friendly fee structure. It is designed for people who want simplicity rather than a large stack of credits.
Benefits are modest compared with the Gold and Platinum cards, so the appeal is the low commitment and the flexibility of the points rather than a deep perk set.
For travelers who want an uncomplicated card that earns transferable points and works well abroad, the Green Card is a reasonable choice. Those seeking lounge access or large credits will want a higher tier.
Why we like it
- Elevated earning on a broad range of travel, transit, and dining purchases.
- Flexible Membership Rewards points that transfer to airline and hotel partners.
- No foreign transaction fees, which suits international travel.
- A relatively low annual fee for a transferable-points travel card.
Who it's best for
- Travelers who want a simple card that earns transferable points.
- People who value broad travel and dining categories over a large credit stack.
- Cardholders who want a travel card that works well abroad without a premium fee.
Welcome bonus
The card has carried a public welcome offer of Membership Rewards points after a spending requirement within the first several months, but American Express welcome offers vary and are often targeted, and this product may not be openly available to new applicants.
Amex generally limits welcome offers to once per lifetime per card product. Confirm the current offer, spend requirement, and eligibility at application, and treat the estimated value shown above as an approximation.
Using your rewards
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty partners, redeemed for travel through American Express Travel, used as Pay with Points, or redeemed for gift cards and statement credits.
Transfer partners have long included a range of airline and hotel programs, though the participating list can change, so verify current options before planning a redemption.
Airport lounge access
The Green Card does not include airport lounge access, though it has offered a statement credit toward a lounge-adjacent expedited security membership; confirm current benefit details before relying on it.
Foreign transaction fees
The Green Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good option for purchases made abroad or in a foreign currency.
Major credits & annual benefits
The card has offered a statement credit toward an expedited airport security membership. Credit amounts and partners can change, so confirm the current benefit details in your account before relying on them.
Insurance & protections
American Express offers a range of travel and purchase protections that can apply when you pay with the card. Coverage is subject to specific terms, limits, and exclusions and should be reviewed in the current benefits guide before you rely on it.
Fees & tradeoffs
The annual fee is low relative to the Gold and Platinum cards, but so is the benefit set.
The main tradeoff is that the card lacks the credits and lounge access of higher tiers, so heavy travelers may outgrow it. Availability to new applicants may also be limited.
Final verdict
For travelers who want a simple, low-fee card that earns transferable points and works well abroad, the Green Card is a sensible choice when the welcome bonus and ongoing earning are weighed against the modest annual fee, roughly reflected in the estimated first-year value shown above.
Those who want lounge access or a large credit stack should consider the Gold or Platinum card instead.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $189
- Welcome offer
- $1,200
- Annual fee
- −$150
- Estimated first-year net
- +$1,239
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 60,000 points after $3,000 in spend within 6 months
$1,200
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$189
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
$189 CLEAR Plus Credit Up to $189 annual statement credit for CLEAR Plus membership. | Annual | $189 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- Large welcome offer worth an estimated $1200
- Ongoing benefits can outweigh the annual fee if used
- Points transfer to travel partners
Maybe skip it if
- Best value requires learning transfer partners
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- $150
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Card network
- American Express
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | $150 | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$1,200 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $1,239 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | $39 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 4.7 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
