Personal Card

Amex Green Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano

If you’re beginning your American Express journey, the Green Card is an ideal first choice. Its position as the initial card ensures eligibility for subsequent bonuses while offering enough value to justify its cost.

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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 60,000-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 80,000-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	1.4 ¢	$0	$150	$452

Best Value	Differentiating Perks	Rules
Delta & Hilton transfers	3x points on travel,Transit and restaurants,$100 annual CLEAR credit ,$199 annual LoungeBuddy credit	Amex 4 Credit , Amex 3/90 , No 5/24 , Amex 1/10

AWARD SYSTEM

BANK

Reconsideration Phone 800.528.4800

MOST RECENT SPECIAL OFFER

60,000 Bonus Points for
$3,000 spend ended Aug 2023

Spend Categories

All Other = »

1X points
1.4¢ Per Dollar Spent

Restaurants = »

3X points
4.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

Travel = »

3X points
4.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

Rideshare and Transit = »

3X points
4.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

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Card Benefits

Travel Credits »
$189 annual CLEAR credit

Lounge Access »
$100 for lounge access with LoungeBuddy

Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance coverage up to $50,000 in collision damage and theft per incident.

Travel Insurance »
Lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person and trip delay protection up to $300.

No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.

Roadside Assistance »
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.

Purchase Protection »
You're covered up to 90 days, up to $10,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per year.

Extended Warranty »
Enjoy up to 1 additional year on the original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less.

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Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner No

Transfer To Friends No

Travel Partner Transfers

Amex Member Rewards Outside Point System

Transfers Out To

Air Canada Aeroplan

1:1 100% value retained

Avianca LifeMiles

1:1 100% value retained

British Airway Executive Avios

1:1 71% value retained

Cash in Cents

1:1 71% value retained

Cathay Pacific

1:1 86% value retained

Delta SkyMiles

1:1 86% value retained

Etihad Guest

1:1 86% value retained

Flying Blue and Air France

1:1 86% value retained

Hilton Honors

1:2 86% value retained

jetBlue trueBlue

1:0.8 69% value retained

Marriott Bonvoy

1:1 50% value retained

Qantas Frequent Flyer

1:1 86% value retained

Singapore KrisFlyer

1:1 93% value retained

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

1:1 100% value retained

View All Point Transfer Options »

Amex Green Application Rules

Amex 4 Credit

Amex will decline your application if you already have 4 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a fifth

Amex 3/90

You'll be declined if you apply for a fourth Amex card in 90 days

No 5/24

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

Amex 1/10

Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card per lifetime (yours or that version of the card)

Ranking of Cards Offering Amex Member Rewards

Amex Business Platinum »

Amex Platinum »

Amex Business Gold »

Amex Gold »

Amex Green »

Amex Business Green »

Breaking Points

May 22, 2023

Mini Points - June 2023

- Amex Green Card Limited time offer - Get 60,000 Points after spending $3000 in 6 months + 20% Back on eligible purchases during the first 6 months.

- Southwest Personal Card - Offering 50,000 Points after spending $1000 in 3 months, $69 annual fee.

- Amex Marriott BonVoy Limited time offer - Get 175,000 Points after spending $5000 in 6 months, $250 annual fee.

- Amex Marriott BonVoy Brilliant Limited time offer - Get 200,000 Points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650 annual fee.

- Chase Marriott BonVoy Boundless Limited time offer - Get 125,000 Points after spending $3000 in 6 months + 50,000 Points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at participating hotels through 1/31/24, $95 annual fee.

- Chase BonVoy Bold Limited time offer - Get 100,000 Points after spending $1000 in 6 months + 50,000 Points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at participating hotels through 1/31/24, NO annual fee.