Review
Updated
There are many types of credit cards on the market -- thousands, in fact. But a growing trend in credit cards is green, or eco-friendly, credit cards. The credit industry is rife with plastic pollution from the cards themselves, something more and more cardholders want to avoid. Green credit cards help offset some of the negative environmental impacts of the credit card industry. See how you can switch to a more eco-friendly card with our guide to the best green credit cards.
American Express® Green Card
Great for: Recycling plastic waste from the ocean
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Credit Score
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.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards 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
Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Offer 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
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Packs in a big welcome offer, lucrative credits, and premium points for travel and restaurants. These perks justify the annual fee for many new cardholders.
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- Restaurant rewards
- Travel and transit rewards
- Welcome offer
- Useful travel points
- Travel credits
- Annual fee
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- 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.
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.
What is a green credit card?
Green credit cards are credit cards that have environmentally friendly perks or are manufactured in an eco-friendly way.
Other than how they're made or how you use your rewards, green credit cards work just like any other credit card -- you use your line of credit to make purchases, then pay them off when you get your bill.
Read more: How Credit Cards Work: A Beginner's Guide
TIP
One small step
Climate change is a very real, very serious threat. But there's no single solution. Instead, it's probably going to take a million small changes to how we live and work to make a difference. Switching to a green or eco-friendly credit card is one small step you can take to help.
There are a few types of green credit cards, so you can find one that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Cards that use sustainable or green manufacturing
Many credit cards are made of petroleum-based plastics that are difficult to recycle. A growing number of credit cards are now made of more environmentally friendly materials.
One of the selling points of American Express® Green Card, for example, is that it's made primarily from plastic reclaimed from oceans and waterways. Amex has also introduced a card recycling program so cardholders can send in their old or expired credit cards for recycling.
Another way credit cards are becoming more eco-friendly is through the use of PLA (polylactide) plastic. PLA is derived from materials extracted from plants such as sugarcane and corn. It's a biodegradable plastic that isn't reliant upon the oil industry.
Cards that donate to green charities
The most common type of green credit card helps you donate to eco-friendly organizations. Some cards automatically donate a portion of your total purchases to the linked charity. Others are rewards credit cards that let you redeem rewards as a donation.
Some green cards give back in multiple ways. The Aspiration Zero Mastercard, for instance, works with reforestation projects around the world to plant trees for every card purchase. Plus you can use purchase rewards to donate even more to global reforestation projects.
It's worth noting that a credit card that donates to environmental charities can still be bad for the environment if it's made of traditional petroleum-based plastic that becomes non-recyclable plastic waste. Consider this when choosing a green card.
How do I know if my credit card is an eco-friendly credit card?
The best way to figure out if your credit card is eco-friendly is to do a little internet research. While many green credit card issuers will visibly publish their green perks right on the page, others are more circumspect.
You can also research credit card issuers to see what green policies they have in place. For example, American Express has announced its commitment to net-zero emissions for its global operations by 2035. Choosing banks with progressive environmental policies can help encourage other issuers to join the movement.
If you can't find enough information with an online search, you can reach out to your credit card company directly. A customer service representative may be able to answer your questions or point you towards useful resources.
How to pick the best environmentally-friendly credit card
Choosing a credit card should be about more than its environmental impact. Credit cards also have a big impact on your personal finances. So, in addition to choosing a card that matches your need to go green, choose one that suits your financial needs.
It's certainly laudable to choose a credit card that offers green perks. Given the amount of plastic waste generated by the credit card industry, even choosing a card made of recycled materials can be a good step.
Read more: The Definitive Guide to Saving Money by Going Green
Here are a few things to consider when picking a green credit card:
- Do the card's rewards support green causes? Many of the best green cards let you use your purchase rewards to support eco-friendly charities. Others may help you plant trees or otherwise reduce your carbon footprint.
- What are the environmental impacts of the card and issuer? Cards that help green charities are great. But using card issuers with carbon-neutral operations and/or that use recycled products can help encourage others in the industry to follow suit. Help your money speak for you.
- Does the card match your spending habits and financial needs? Credit cards are financial tools, and the tool needs to match the job. If a credit card doesn't suit your lifestyle, it doesn't matter how green it is -- you won't use it enough to make a difference.
- Does the card have an annual fee? Some credit cards charge an annual fee just to keep your account open. While you may think an annual fee is worth it for a card that helps the environment, you should still be aware of any fees before you apply.
- Do you meet the card's approval requirements? Even environmentally friendly credit cards are still credit products, so you still need to meet the credit score and income qualifications to get approved.
FAQs
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Most credit cards are made of petroleum-based plastics. These are demonstrably bad for the environment. However, some credit cards are now made of recycled or plant-based plastics. These cards are significantly less harmful to the environment.
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Any steps that improve your carbon footprint or reduce global plastic waste can make a difference. For example, cards made of recycled plastic help keep discarded plastic out of our oceans.
Similarly, cards that help you donate to green charities can have a big impact on those causes. Every tree planted or eco-friendly law passed thanks to these organizations can make a difference to the environment and climate.
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Cards that help you donate to eco-friendly organizations might be considered the most impactful. However, cards that encourage use of recycled materials can also make a difference. That said, determining which cards are the most green is a matter of opinion.
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Recycling plastic waste from the ocean |
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.
Our Credit Cards Expert
Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Brittney Myers has positions in American Express. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Mastercard and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Progressive and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the American Express® Green Card, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.