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A Complete Guide to American Express® Green Card Benefits

Updated
Natasha Etzel
By: Natasha Etzel

Our Credit Cards Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Offer details

Information about the American Express® Green Card has been gathered independently by The Ascent and does not come from the issuer. Some information may be out of date. See issuer's web site for more details.

If you're looking for top-of-the-line travel perks without a huge financial commitment, check out the American Express® Green Card. There are many American Express® Green Card benefits, from its high earning potential and welcome offer to lost baggage insurance and extra purchase protections.

Its annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees) compares well to many other travel credit cards that charge more. This makes it a good card for someone who travels frequently but doesn't want to pay for a premium card. That way the benefits will outweigh the cost of the card.

Here is how the American Express® Green Card stacks up against other American Express cards.

As of May. 08, 2024
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American Express® Green Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Gold Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
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Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

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Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

40,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 3X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. 3X Membership Rewards® points on all eligible travel, from subway swipes and window seats to hotel stays and city tours. The 1x points on other purchases.

1x - 3x points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.

1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 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.

1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points

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See Pay Over Time APR

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See Pay Over Time APR

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See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee:

$150

Annual Fee:

$695

Annual Fee:

$250

Highlights:

  • Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
  • $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express® Green Card.
  • $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
  • Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
  • Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
  • $150 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 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.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

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Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

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The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by The Ascent and not provided by the issuer. Therefore, some terms may be out of date. Visit the issuer's website for more information. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Amex Green Card benefits

The American Express® Green Card is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a card with a reasonable annual fee and will make the most of its rewards. Here are some American Express® Green Card benefits that might interest you:

Welcome offer

As a new cardholder, you can earn a welcome offer of 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points if you spend at least $3,000 in the first 6 months of membership. That's a good amount of bonus points for a relatively low fee. Each membership reward point could be worth between $0.01 and over $0.03. Terms apply.

Earn up to 3 points per $1

If you're a foodie, you'll be happy to know this card earns 3 points per $1 at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. That compares well with other cards for dining and restaurants. You can also earn 3 points per $1 on travel, which we'll discuss later. All other American Express® Green Card purchases earn 1 point per $1. Terms apply.

Great redemption options

You may be wondering what all those Amex points will be worth. It depends on what redemption method you use. For example, you can redeem your points for gift cards or a statement credit, but these may not give you as much value. Your points may be be worth more if you use the American Express Travel portal to book airline tickets or transfer them to a travel partner.

One big benefit of Amex points is that there are lots of travel partners in the American Express Membership Rewards program. Terms apply.

Purchase protection

You'll also get purchase protection with your American Express® Green Card. If something you bought using the card gets damaged or stolen soon afterward, you'll be covered. Purchase protection* is valid for up to 90 days, and you can't claim more than $1,000 per covered purchase. Plus, the benefit is capped at $50,000 each calendar year. Be sure to check the full terms to know what qualifies. Terms apply.

Extended warranty

As an American Express® Green Card holder, you can also benefit from extended warranty coverage.** Assuming the manufacturer's warranty is for five years or less and you use your card to make the purchase, you can add an extra year to your warranty. That means if your washing machine breaks down three months after the manufacturer's warranty expires, it's still covered. Be sure to check the rules and restrictions in your card's terms. Terms apply.

Amex Amex Green Card travel benefits

The American Express® Green Card is known for its travel perks. You can earn rewards on travel spending, get travel-related statement credits, and avoid foreign transaction fees.

Earn 3 points per $1 on travel and transit

As you'd expect from a travel rewards card, your travel-related spending will earn good rewards. The 3 points per $1 is comparable to other travel and airline cards, even those with higher fees. Terms apply. So, what counts as travel or transit? You'll get extra rewards for:

  • Airfare
  • Hotels
  • Cruises
  • Tours
  • Car rentals
  • Trains
  • Buses
  • Ferries
  • Subways

No foreign transaction fees

Most travel cards avoid foreign transaction fees, and it's good to see the American Express® Green Card follows suit. Some cards charge around 3% for any international spending you do. Those fees can add up across a trip, and you won't have to worry about them with this card. See rates and fees

$189 annual CLEAR membership statement credit

The perks don't stop there. An American Express® Green Card gives you a $189 annual statement credit towards a CLEAR membership you enroll in when paying with this card. Terms apply.

CLEAR is a touchless security and venue entrance tool that can save you time. It's a bit like TSA PreCheck, but where TSA PreCheck speeds you through the security screening, CLEAR can whizz through the document and identity verification process. It works at over 50 participating airports, stadiums, and other venues. You might want to find out if it works at locations you use regularly, though.

$100 annual LoungeBuddy credit

LoungeBuddy lets you buy one-time lounge access at around 170 airports worldwide. A trip to an airport lounge can make your trip much more enjoyable and relaxing. This travel card gives you $100 in statement credits a year towards airport lounge access when you enroll in the LoungeBuddy program. Terms apply.

Trip delay insurance

If you book your round-trip with your American Express® Green Card, you'll qualify for trip delay insurance ***. That means you'll be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses if your trip gets delayed for more than 12 hours. This includes costs such as lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. You can't claim more than $300 per trip, and you can't make more than two claims per 12-month period. Terms apply.

Car rental insurance

If you rent a car and pay the cost with your American Express® Green Card, you'll be eligible for car rental insurance ****. It is secondary insurance, which means it covers you only after your primary auto coverage has paid on the claim, or if you don't have existing car insurance. But this can provide an extra layer of security if you need to rent a car.

You'll also need to decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company.

This insurance covers damage or theft to your rental vehicle, and the maximum coverage amount is $50,000. Terms apply.

Baggage insurance

If your bags are lost, damaged, or stolen while traveling, baggage insurance* can help. Assuming you're traveling on a common carrier -- such as a plane, train, or bus -- you'll be able to claim back some expenses you face. It's worth checking you understand exactly what's covered and how to file your claim. This card provides a maximum coverage of:

  • $1,250 for carry-on baggage
  • $500 for checked baggage
  • Terms apply

Bottom line

American Express has a wide range of cards available at different price points. As you can see, there are many American Express® Green Card benefits, especially if you'll get enough value out of the card to cover the annual fee. The mix of restaurant, shopping, and travel perks could make it a great addition to your wallet.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. N/A 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best for cash back on travel purchases
Up to $300 cash back Circle with letter I in it. Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. 1.5% - 5% cash back Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best for travel and points transfers
75,000 bonus points Circle with letter I in it. Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases Circle with letter I in it. 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.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

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Regular: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

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