American Express Green Card Review

The Amex Green card's limit can vary from month to month. American Express may adjust the limit based on your card use. The amount and the frequency in which those adjustments occur also depend on a wide range of factors such as your income, credit standing, payment record and more.

You should be able to charge up to the same amount on the Amex Green card each month, as long as there are no drastic changes in your financial situation. A reduced income or lowered credit score may prompt American Express to reduce how much you can spend, for example. Conversely, improvements to your credit and income may allow you to spend more.

The Amex Green card's credit score requirement is 700+. This means you need at least good credit to have a decent chance of approval. The Amex Green card's credit score requirement is comparable to that of several other American Express cards. Some users report being approved with lower scores, but it's a much safer bet to wait for a score of 700 before applying.  

The Amex Green card's credit score requirement alone doesn't determine your approval or rejection. But it is a key component. Amex also considers annual income, employment status, monthly rent/mortgage payments and existing debt, among other factors.

Here's the Amex Green card credit score requirement and more:

• Credit score required: Good (700+).
• Other factors: Annual income, employment status, monthly rent/mortgage payment, existing debt and more.
• Age requirement: At least 18 years old (must have a verifiable source of income).
• Residency/identification requirement: A U.S. mailing address (no P.O. boxes) and a Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or passport.

Even if you meet the Amex Green card credit score requirement, you should be aware that this card is a charge card before you apply. That means you're usually required to pay the entire balance in full each billing period.  There is a feature called “Pay Over Time” where cardholders can carry a balance on individual charges that are each at least $100. However, these purchases are subject to approval by Amex. And the account will have a set “Pay Over Time” limit that cannot be exceeded. If you usually carry a balance every month, you might want to consider other Amex cards.

The American Express Green Card annual fee is $150. Amex Green is the least expensive of the Amex hybrid card offers, and its rewards and benefits can make it well worth the cost for frequent travelers. The card's annual fee used to be slightly lower in the past, but Amex added extra perks to make up for the increased cost.

Cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel, transit and dining purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. There's also a one-time bonus of 45,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months after account opening. Additionally, the Amex Green Card no longer charges a foreign transaction fee.

Even though the American Express Green Card annual fee is higher than in years past, you'll now have up to $200 in annual statement credits that will easily cover the cost of the card, if you travel. The Clear credit provides $100 toward an annual Clear membership, which streamlines security clearances at more than 50 airports, stadiums, and arenas throughout the U.S. And the LoungeBuddy credit allows you to apply up to $100 to your airport lounge purchases with the LoungeBuddy app every year.

The Amex Green card is worth it for frequent travelers with good credit or better (a credit score of 700+) who buy airport lounge day passes and prefer expedited airport security. Customers with enough dining expenses to help offset the card's $150 annual fee may also find the Amex Green card worth applying for.

The Amex Green card offers new cardmembers 45,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. And it also earns substantial ongoing rewards: 3 points per $1 at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 3 points per $1 on travel, 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Aside from these rewards, what makes the Amex Green card  particularly worthwhile is annual statement credits, up to pre-set amounts, toward CLEAR memberships and airport lounge day passes, purchased through LoungeBuddy. By making the most of these travel-friendly perks, the Amex Green card's annual fee will easily pay for itself.

However, the card most likely won't be worth it if you're unable to pay the balance in full and on time every month. The interest you'll pay on the balance will cut into the card's overall value.

If you'd like a more detailed dive in to what the Amex Green card has to offer, feel free to check out our editor's comprehensive review of the card.

The American Express Green Card foreign transaction fee is 0%. While the Amex Green card used to charge 2.7% for these purchases, its foreign transaction fee changed to 0% when the card revamped its features in 2019.

Aside from the American Express Green Card's 0% foreign transaction fee, there are plenty of other reasons the card is good for travel. It offers ample rewards on travel purchases and dining worldwide, along with statement credits for CLEAR (expedites airport security) and airport lounge access.

Keep in mind that even though the American Express Green card has a 0% foreign transaction fee, it does have a $150 annual fee. So make sure you take advantage of enough of the card's perks to justify the cost.

The American Express Green Card update, which took effect in October 2019, changed the card's rewards rates and fees. The updated Amex Green Card rewards are 3 points per $1 spent on dining, travel and transit purchases, plus 2 new annual statement credits, while the annual fee jumped from $95 to $150. The card's 2.7% foreign transaction fee also dropped to 0%.

Other updates include the addition of Amex's Pay Over Time feature - which allows you to use the card to finance certain approved purchases over a period of time - and a mobile assistant to help with account-related questions, flight and hotel bookings, and more.

One other American Express Green Card update is to the physical card itself. The new eco-friendly card is made of 70% recycled plastic recovered from oceans, islands and coastal communities worldwide.

To earn points with the American Express Green Card, make purchases with the card anywhere Amex is accepted. Cardholders earn 3 Amex Green Card points per $1 spent on dining, travel and transit, as well as 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. There's also an initial bonus of 45,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.

Restaurant purchases worldwide, including takeout and delivery, all earn the 3 points per $1 rewards rate. Eligible travel purchases are airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and booking on third-party travel websites, including Amex Travel. And transit-related purchases include taxicab fare, rideshare services, parking fees, tolls, and more.

Amex Green Card bonus points are credited to your Membership Rewards account once a month, within 24-72 hours after Amex posts your on-time monthly payment. Initial bonuses will be added to your points balance in 8 to 12 weeks after you meet the spending requirement. After your points post, you can redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, travel bookings, merchandise or charitable donations.

Amex Green Card points are worth between 0.6 of a cent and 1 cent apiece, depending on how they're redeemed. Cardholders can also transfer points to more than 20 affiliated airline and hotel loyalty programs. Amex points never expire, as long as your account is open and in good standing, but you'll forfeit any unredeemed points if you or Amex close the account.

Depends on your credit history. Minimum if approved is $500 but on 61 day you used the american express app and 3x the credit limit