Amex Green Card Review [2020]

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For the longest time, the American Express Green Card was pretty much a joke of a credit card. It didn’t have much to offer in terms of bonus categories and perks but that changed when American Express decided to revamp the card.

And now, it’s a very valuable travel rewards credit card and one that many people seek out to optimize their points.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the American Express Green Card.

The Amex Green Card intro

The American Express Green Card is one of the most valuable travel rewards credit cards available because of the great travel/dining bonus earning potential and some unique credits for travel.

While this is a solid mid-tier card, I would first get a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred since that card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule (and also has better travel protections).

Eligibility

Because the Green Card is a charge card (versus a credit card), it is not subject to all of the American Express application rules like the 1/5 rule, the 2/90 rule, etc.

However, this card is still subject to the Amex once per lifetime rule which states that if you have ever had this card before you cannot receive the welcome bonus again.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Welcome bonus

  • 35,000 points to 50,000 points

The Green Card had a long history of pretty lackluster welcome bonuses until it was revamped. Finding a bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards was considered a huge success but now it’s possible that you could find the card with welcome bonuses up to 45,000 Membership Rewards!

But even the standard offer of 30,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first three months is pretty solid.

If you value Amex Membership Rewards at 1.75 cents per point then it’s like $525 in value.

Of course, you can get much more value if you transfer your points out to some of the amazing travel partners.

These partners are listed below along with the expected transfer times.

Travel PartnerRatio (MR to airline)Transfer wait time
Aer Lingus1:1Instant
AeroMexico1:1.624 Hours
Air Canada1:1Instant
Alitalia1:1Instant
ANA1:148 Hours
Avianca1:1Instant
British Airways1:1Instant
Cathay Pacific1:148 Hours
Delta1:1Instant
Emirates1:1Instant
Etihad1:1Instant
Flying Blue1:1Instant
Hawaiian Airlines1:1Instant
Iberia1:124 to 72 hours
JetBlue250:200Instant
Qantas1:1Instant
Singapore Airlines1:124 to 72 hours
Virgin Atlantic1:1Instant
Choice 1:1Instant
Hilton1:2Instant
Marriott1:1Instant
American Express travel partners.

Bonus categories

  • 3x on travel
  • 3x on transit
  • 3X on restaurants

3X on travel

The biggest reason that the Green Card stands out as a great travel card is that it earns 3X on all travel purchases. This is on par with the Chase Sapphire Reserve which earns 3X but has a much higher annual fee of $550.

Travel purchases may include: airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, travel purchases on third party travel websites, and travel purchases on Amex Travel. (Timeshares are excluded.)

If you value Membership Rewards at 1.75 cents per point then it’s like earning 5.25% back. That’s a lot of value on travel.

3X on transit

The transit category might as will be under the travel category but American Express separately highlights that you will also earn 3X on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

3X on restaurants

The 3X on restaurant purchases is nice although I prefer to put my dining purchases on my Amex Gold Card in order to earn 4X.

There are some exclusions in the restaurant category which include purchases at a restaurant located within another establishment (e.g. a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, or event venue).

You will also not earn bonus points at bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, and convenience stores.

Credits

To help you offset the annual fee, the Green Card comes with two credits:

  • $100 CLEAR
  • $100 LoungeBuddy

$100 CLEAR credit

The American Express Green Card will offer you $100 per year in statement credits for CLEAR (the regular price for CLEAR is $179 a year).

If you are not familiar with CLEAR, it allows you to bypass the security lines at airports in different venues such as stadiums by utilizing your biometrics such as your fingerprints.

If you have TSA Pre-Check, this will save you even more time during rush hour at airports. I would recommend that you read our review here if you need to find out more.

This is a huge perk if you ask me because the one major knock against CLEAR is that it is so expensive.

Picture of kiosks for CLEAR
Save $100 on CLEAR.

$100 LoungeBuddy credit

You will get $100 in annual credits for LoungeBuddy. 

LoungeBuddy is a way for you to get access to various airport lounges. Not every airport has a relationship with LoungeBuddy but for those that do you might be paying anywhere from $25-$50+ for lounge access. 

So this credit gives you 2 to 4 visits per year covered (again prices can vary widely). 

For anybody without Priority Pass this could be a great way to get airport lounge access when you need it. 

However, I already have the Platinum Card and so I don’t think this lounge benefit would do much for me. 

The Platinum Card offers lounge access in many different forms including:

  • Centurion Lounge access for up two guests
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access for up to two guests
  • Delta Sky Club access (when you fly with them)
  • Airspace Lounges
  • Escape Lounges
  • Plaza Premium Lounges
  • Lufthansa Lounges
  • Additional lounges in the network
The Amex Green Card can be useful for airport lounge access.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Amex Green Card benefits

Amex Offers

Amex Offers is one of the most valuable perks offered by any American Express card because it can save you tons in the long term.

Every month, you should check your Amex Offers to see what type of special promotions and discounts are available to you.

These discounts apply to all sorts of different industries like travel, shopping, etc. — everything from Hilton to Best Buy.

Amex concerts and events

You can get access to pre-sale tickets and also to select seats at certain events. Find out more about that benefit here.

ShopRunner

The ShopRunner program offers the following benefits from select retailers:

  • Free two-day shipping
  • Free return shipping
  • Specials deals and discounts

Typically, there is an annual fee of $79.00 to maintain ShopRunner. I’ve used this benefit with a few different retailers and it essentially offers Amazon Prime for free for those select retailers.

Green Card protections

Purchase protection

The Amex Green Card will protect your purchases for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if the item is stolen, accidentally damaged or lost.

The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.

This is a major downgrade from the Gold Card and Platinum Card that both offer coverage up to $10,000 per occurrence. Therefore, I would be cautious about relying on purchase protection with this card — it’s just not that solid.

Extended warranty

For warranties of five years or less, the manufacturer’s warranty can be extended up to one additional year. 

Trip delay

If your trip is delayed 12 hours or more, you can get coverage for up to $300 for the delay. You can use these funds for necessities like lodging, meals, and toiletries.

This is a solid perk but the drawback is that you must wait for delays of 12 hours or more while some cards kick in after only six hours.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The Green Card does not have trip cancellation and interruption insurance. In addition, the Green Card does not come with baggage delay protection which will allow you to purchase essentials while you’re waiting for your bag is to arrive.

Baggage Insurance Plan

With baggage insurance, you will be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.

These baggage insurance limits are pretty low compared to the Platinum Card which offers up to $3,000, for carry-on baggage and up to $2,000 for checked baggage.

Amex Green Card FAQ

Does the Amex Green Card offer airport lounge access?

The Green Card does not come with an annual airport lounge access membership like Priority Pass but it does offer $100 worth of credits that could be used at Lounge Buddy airport lounges.

What counts as “travel” for the Amex Green Card?

According to American Express, the following purchases count out as travel:

airfare
hotels
cruises
tours
car rentals
campgrounds
travel purchases on third party travel websites
travel purchases on amextravel.com

In addition, you will earn 3X on transit purchases which include: trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

How much is the Amex Green Card annual fee?

The annual fee for the Amex Green Card is $150 and it is not waived the first year.

Does the Amex Green Card have foreign transaction fees

No, the Amex Green Card does not have foreign transaction fees.

Can you upgrade the Amex Green Card?

Yes, you can usually upgrade the Amex Green Card to the the Gold Card or the Platinum Card.

Does the Amex Green Card offer Amex Pay Over Time?

Yes, you can enroll in Amex Pay Over Time with your Amex Green Card.

Final word

The is a tremendous card for earning lots of Membership Rewards on travel purchases.

The annual fee can easily be offset by someone who values priority access at airports and some entertainment venues by taking advantage of CLEAR.

In addition, the lounge credit is perfect for someone who only plans on visiting a few lounges per year and does not need an unlimited lounge visit membership.

Amex Green Card is Here (It Looks Good!)

We have known about a refresh coming to the American Express Green Card for a while and that refresh is finally here!

The card does not have all of the perks that I anticipated but the perks are still pretty solid in my opinion (especially for travel).

This is also a fantastic opportunity to capitalize on earning more Membership Rewards, as the card has a new welcome bonus. 


Welcome bonus

The American Express Green Card will come with 30,000 Membership Rewards when you spend $2,000 in the first three months. Also, you can get $100 in statement credits toward any purchases made with Away (luggage) in your first three months (Offer ends 1/15/2020). 

30,000 Membership Rewards is a pretty decent bonus. It would have been nice to see this bonus up at 40,000 or 50,000 points. However, the Green Card has always historically had a low bonus (or no bonus at all) so 30,000 points for this card is not bad.

Some have reported success with higher Incognito offers but that did not work for me. Referral links are also reportedly higher. 

Suitcases for Away start at $225 and you can find amenity bags for under $100. 

Note: the welcome offer is not available to applicants who have or have had this Card or previous versions of the American Express Green Card. No surprise there. 


Bonus categories

  • 3X on travel
  • 3X on dining

3X travel is a huge bonus category for American Express.

Up to this point, there has been no American Express product that offers a good multiplier of bonus points on general travel costs.

Now, just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can earn triple the points on general travel with the American Express Green Card (you just won’t get all of the same travel protections). 

Earning triple the points on dining is also very nice. Personally, I will stick to using my American Express Gold Card to earn 4X on dining. But if you don’t want to get the Gold card (with its $250 dollars annual fee) this is a pretty good option.


CLEAR membership

The American Express Green Card will offer you $100 per year in statement credits for CLEAR (the regular price for CLEAR is $179 a year).

If you are not familiar with that service, basically it allows you to bypass the security lines at airports in different venues such as stadiums.

If you have TSA Pre-Check, this will save you tons of time during rush hour at airports. I would recommend that you read our review here if you need to find out more.

This is a huge perk if you ask me (unless you don’t care for CLEAR of course). 

LGA Terminal C CLEAR TSA Pre-Check


$100 for LoungeBuddy

You will get $100 in annual credits for LoungeBuddy. 

This is a really interesting benefit for the American Express Green Card. LoungeBuddy is a way for you to get access to various airport lounges. Not every airport has a relationship with LoungeBuddy but for those that do you might be paying anywhere from $25-$50+ for lounge access. 

So this credit gives you 2 to 4 visits per year covered (again prices can vary widely). 

For anybody without Priority Pass this could be a great way to get airport lounge access when you need it. However, I already have the Platinum Card and so I don’t think this lounge benefit would do much for me. 


Annual fee

The annual fee is $150 and is not waived the first year. Given the trends that American Express has been doing over the past couple of years, it is no surprise to see the fee increased. 

With $200 worth of statement credits for CLEAR and airport lounge access, this fee can easily be offset with the two of them.

For me personally, I would only use the $100 CLEAR credit. That would leave me with about $50 in annual fee costs I would need to offset. That would not be very hard to do with 3X on travel/dining, so this could easily be a keeper card. 

For example, if I spent $1,000 on travel and earned 3,000 MR, that would be $54 worth of MR (based on 1.8 cent valuation). Combine that with only one $100 credit and the entire fee is offset. 


Final word

Overall, I think the American Express Green Card is a decently strong travel card. There is now a way to earn triple points on travel expenses with this card and I really like the statement credits for CLEAR. The credits for LoungeBuddy are great too it is just that I already have so many lounge memberships that I don’t know I would be using it. 

Amex Green Card Rumors (Changes Coming Soon?)

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

There have been rumors going around since early 2019 that the American Express Green Card is going to be substantially revamped. While I’m still not 100% sure about the validity of these rumors, a revamp seems to be imminent now.

Amex Green cards have been pulled from new applicants and several people have received “pre-offers” for the Green Card which might go by the name of the “Amex Preferred Rewards Green Card.”

Below, I’ll talk about what these rumors entail and what you might want to do to prepare for the new card! 

The American Express Green Card

If you don’t already know, the American Express Green Card is arguably one of the least valuable rewards credit cards. It earns a basic 1X on (virtually) every type of purchase and does not really come with any kind of valuable benefits that would justify its $95 annual fee when considering alternatives.

Its only saving grace is that it can be a decent option to downgrade to to avoid higher annual fees/keep your account open and that it sometimes comes with a welcome bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

But soon our outlook on this card could all be changing and in a big way.


The Green Card Rumors

It is rumored that the American Express Green Card will come with the following benefits:

  • 35,000 Welcome bonus
  • 4X on gas purchases
  • 3X on streaming services
  • Amazon Prime benefit
  • Away luggage

It’s not clear what will happen to the $95 annual fee but if the current pattern by American Express is any indication that annual fee will likely go up and probably go up substantially.

35K Welcome bonus

A 35,000 welcome bonus after $1,000 in spend would be very solid for this card with a reasonable annual fee and would be better than the prior 25K offers. I’m sure many will be attracted to this card with such a high bonus (for a lower-tier card like this).

If you already received a bonus for the Green Card, I doubt you will be eligible for this card. 

4X on gas

Earning 4X on gas purchases (which will likely be limited to US gas stations) would be very significant. You can find some cards that offer as much as 5% back at gas stations but that is virtually always limited to cash back and there are usually limitations with those cards. So earning 4X on gas with a transferable currency like Membership Rewards is extremely exciting.

3X on streaming

Earning 3X on the streaming services is not that exciting to me because most people probably don’t spend that much on them. I know that we have a hand full of streaming services that would qualify for this but in the end I would only be earning a couple of hundred Membership Rewards a month so this would not be that major of a benefit.

Amazon Prime

The Amazon Prime benefit would absolutely be key and make this card a true keeper for many. Last year, Amazon increased the price of Amazon Prime to $119 dollars per year. So many people use Amazon Prime that it would be very easy to offset $119 dollars of any annual fee.

So then it would really just be a matter of earning enough in gas and streaming rewards to offset the difference of any increased annual fee. For example if the annual fee was increased to $150, you would just need to earn about $30 in gas rewards per year to offset the annual fee with a Prime membership. That would be extremely easy to do for a lot of people.

So that kind of makes me question if the Amazon Prime benefit would actually work like that. Maybe they just offer an annual credit that is something like $15, $30, $49, etc.? Or maybe there will be a very substantial hike in the annual fee?

Who knows?

Away luggage

There may also be some type of partnership with Away Luggage. Again, this could be some type of credit or something.

I wanted to get this out to anybody who did not know about these rumors so that they could start planning to potentially pick up this card because it looks like it could be a very worthwhile option. 

If you have never had the Amex Green Card before, I would not downgrade any cards to it so that you potentially don’t lose out on the welcome bonus. By the way, getting advice on upgrades/downgrades is something that I’m hoping to automate with WalletFlo, so in the future, you’ll know exactly what to do without having to think about it.


Final Word

These are exciting rumors. It definitely seems in-line with what American Express has been doing recently with new changes, so it would not surprise me to see a major overhaul of this card very soon. So just keep an eye out for the changes and be prepared to adjust your credit card strategy accordingly.

H/T: DoC

Exciting Amex Green Card Rumors

Just in case you missed it, there is a rumor that the American Express Green Card may be substantially revamped very soon (perhaps even this month or next month). While I’m not 100% sure about the validity of these rumors, a revamp would not surprise me given how AMEX has been on a roll revamping so many of their other products.


The American Express Green Card

If you don’t already know, the American Express Green Card is arguably currently one of the least valuable reward credit cards. It earns a basic 1X on (virtually) every type of purchase and does not really come with any kind of valuable benefits that would justify it’s $95 annual fee when considering alternatives. 

Its only saving grace is that it can be a decent option to downgrade to to avoid higher annual fees/keep your account open and that it sometimes comes with a welcome bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

But soon our outlook on this card could all be changing and in a big way.


The Green Card Rumors

It is rumored that the American Express Green Card will come with the following benefits:

  • 4X on gas purchases
  • 3X on streaming services
  • Amazon Prime benefit

It’s not clear what will happen to the $95 annual fee but if the current pattern by American Express is any indication that annual fee will likely go up and probably go up substantially.

4X on gas

Earning 4X on gas purchases (which will likely be limited to US gas stations) would be very significant. You can find some cards that offer as much as 5% back at gas stations but that is virtually always limited to cash back and there are usually limitations with those cards. So earning 4X on gas with a transferable currency like Membership Rewards is extremely exciting.

3X on streaming 

Earning 3X on the streaming services is not that exciting to me because most people probably don’t spend that much on them. I know that we have about three or four streaming services that would qualify for this but in the end I would only be earning a couple of hundred Membership Rewards a month so this would not be that major of a benefit.

Amazon Prime

The Amazon Prime benefit would absolutely be key and make this card a true keeper for many. Last year, Amazon increased the price of Amazon Prime to $119 dollars per year. So many people use Amazon Prime that it would be very easy to offset $119 dollars of any annual fee.

So then it would really just be a matter of earning enough in gas and streaming rewards to offset the difference of any increased annual fee. For example if the annual fee was increased to $150, you would just need to earn about $30 in gas rewards per year to offset the annual fee with a Prime membership. That would be extremely easy to do for a lot of people.

So that kind of makes me question if the Amazon Prime benefit would actually work like that. Maybe they just offer an annual credit that is something like $15, $30, $49, etc.? Or maybe there will be a very substantial hike in the annual fee?

Who knows.

However, I wanted to get this out to anybody who did not know about these rumors so that they could start planning to potentially pick up this card because it looks like it could be a very worthwhile option. 


Final Word

These are exciting rumors. It definitely seems in-line with what American Express has been doing recently with new changes, so it would not surprise me to see a major overhaul of this card very soon. So just keep an eye out for the changes and be prepared to adjust your credit card strategy accordingly.

H/T: DoC