Amex Green Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you haven’t started collecting American Express cards yet, the American Express Personal Green card is a solid place to begin. American Express has rules requiring you to open its personal cards in a specific order to qualify for each sign-up bonus. While the 40,000-point sign-up bonus isn’t the highest ever offered, it’s still worthwhile — and the $199 Clear Plus membership credit alone can more than cover the card’s $150 annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The standard sign-up bonus is 40,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. In the past, there have been elevated offers as high as 60,000 points.
Once you meet the spending requirement for the Green card, you can move on to the Gold and then Platinum cards, as they must be opened in sequence to qualify for each sign-up bonus.
Although the card’s annual fee is $150, the Clear Plus credit (worth $199) easily offsets that cost. Beyond that, there aren’t many other standout benefits. However, if you renew Clear Plus each year, the card essentially pays for itself — and you still earn the 40,000-point sign-up bonus.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be the best option if:
- You already have Clear Plus and won’t benefit from the credit.
- You’ve already opened the American Express Gold and/or Platinum cards, making you ineligible for the Green card’s sign-up bonus based on American Express rules.
What to Know About Amex Member Rewards
Amex points are great in theory. We just find them harder to collect and more expensive to hold than Chase points.
- If you’re in the points game long enough, you’ll dabble in both main systems (Chase & Amex).
- Amex has a one card bonus per lifetime rule, so ultimately, there will be more of a limit to how many you can collect via sign-up bonuses.
- You’ll need to keep a “fee” card to hold your points.
- Delta and Hilton are solid transfer values and having Amex points gives you top-off flexibility if you are invested in either of those systems.
- We do find Amex travel a higher quality of service over the Chase travel portal.
How The Amex Green Credit Card Fits In The Amex Member Rewards Ecosystem
Because American Express enforces a “one card bonus per lifetime” rule for each personal card, you should begin with the Green Card if you plan to build a portfolio of American Express products. While it’s often wise to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus, there’s no guarantee one will appear. If you’re ready to start now, you can open the Green Card, earn the bonus, and then move on to the Gold and Platinum.
- Gold Card: This card has a $325 annual fee and a 100,000-point sign-up bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first few months. It offers valuable statement credits and spending multipliers, and you can redeem points with 18 airline or 3 hotel partners.
- Platinum Card: With a $695 annual fee, it’s the highest-tier American Express card for personal use. The 175,000-point sign-up bonus is paired with an extensive list of statement credits and travel perks, making it a strong choice if you travel frequently.
In short, if you aim to maximize American Express Membership Rewards, starting with the Green Card sets you up for long-term success. Once you meet its spending requirement and secure the bonus, you can progress to more lucrative cards like the Gold and Platinum.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,000 | $3,000 | 1.6 ¢ | $0 | $150 |
$538
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Delta & Hilton transfers | 3x points on travel,Transit and restaurants,$100 annual CLEAR credit ,$199 annual LoungeBuddy credit | Amex Family , No 5/24 , Amex 1/10 , Amex Popup Jail |
Award System
Most Recent Special Offer
$3,000 spend ended Aug 2023
Spend Categories
1X points
1.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
3X points
4.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
$189 annual CLEAR credit
$100 for lounge access with LoungeBuddy
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance coverage up to $50,000 in collision damage and theft per incident.
Lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person and trip delay protection up to $300.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
A complimentary 24-hour dispatch hotline that can send a tow operator or locksmith to assist in an emergency situation. Cardholder will be charged for any services or goods provided.
You're covered up to 90 days, up to $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per year.
Enjoy up to 1 additional year on the original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner No
Transfer To Friends No
Travel Partner Transfers
Amex Member Rewards Outside Point System
Transfers Out To
1:1.6 80% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 69% value retained
1:1 63% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:2 63% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
2.5:2 65% value retained
1:1 44% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 75% value retained
1:1 81% value retained
1:1 88% value retained
Amex Green Application Rules
If you have received a signup bonus from a higher tiered card, you are ineligible to receive a bonus from a lower tiered card in that same card family
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card per lifetime (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
