American Express Green Card Review

John S Kiernan, WalletHub Managing EditorMay 25, 2023

WALLETHUB’S RATING: 3.5 / 5

John S Kiernan, WalletHub Managing EditorMay 25, 2023

WalletHub’s Rating

3.5 out of 5 rating 3.5 / 5

Opinions and ratings are our own. This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. American Express is a WalletHub partner.

Pros

60,000 points initial bonus offer
No foreign fee

Cons

$150 annual fee
No preset spending limit

American Express® Green Card

3.78 out of 5 rating362 Reviews

Apply NowRates & Fees | Terms Apply

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee

$150

Rewards Rate

1 - 3 points / $1

Bonus Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.

60,000 points

Min Credit Needed

Good

Rewards Details

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
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.
Terms Apply.

Additional Info

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.
This American Express Card has no preset spending limit, giving you purchasing power that adjusts with your use of the card. No preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors including spending patterns, your payment history, your credit history, and financial resources known to us.
More Details & Reviews About American Express® Green Card

American Express Green Card Review Summary

The American Express® Green Card is a card for people with good or excellent credit who want to earn extra rewards on travel expenses and at restaurants. It is best for high-spenders who plan to pay the bill in full each month and anticipate spending enough to more than cover the cost of the card’s $150 annual fee via rewards earnings.

The Amex Green Card’s best features are its bonus rewards and travel benefits. New applicants can earn an initial bonus of 60,000 points by spending $3,000 within 6 months of opening a new account. All cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel, transit and restaurant purchases. And that’s supplemented by hundreds of dollars in credits annually.

The Amex Green Card’s worst features are its $150 annual fee and its lack of a clearly defined spending limit.

You can learn more about American Express Green Card below.

american express green card review

Advantages of the American Express Green Card

60,000 Points for an Initial Bonus

Those bonus points, which new cardholders can earn by spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, are worth an average of $402 when redeemed through American Express Membership Rewards based on our calculations. On average, credit cards offering an initial bonus in the form of points or miles give roughly 29,788 (worth around $231).

So, based on initial points alone, Amex Green’s welcome bonus offer figures to be better than average. Fortunately for applicants who time things right, bonus points might not be the only thing in your welcome wagon. You can also earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.

Extra Rewards on Travel, Transit & Dining

Amex Green gives 3 points per $1 spent on all travel-related purchases as well as all purchases made at restaurants around the world (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.). That works out to about 2.31% cash back, on average.

Travel includes everything from airfare and hotel reservations to cruises and car rentals, whether booked directly with a travel provider or through a third-party travel comparison website. Transit purchases (including trains, taxi, rideshare services, tolls, buses, and subways) also yield 3 points per $1 spent.

Annual Travel Credits

Amex Green cardholders are eligible for a pair of yearly bonuses that can help make travel more efficient and more comfortable. There’s up to $189 in credits annually to reimburse cardholders for membership fees for the airport screening service CLEAR. In addition, there’s up to $100 per year in credits for airport lounge access via the service LoungeBuddy.

If you fly frequently and don’t already have access to savings on those services, that’s great news. But if you’re unlikely to use them often, don’t give these features too much emphasis when deciding which card to apply for.

Disadvantages of the American Express Green Card

$150 Annual Fee

For context, the average annual fee on a credit card is roughly $21.65. In other words, the American Express Green Card is about seven times more expensive than the average credit card. That doesn’t necessarily mean Amex Green is a bad deal. Rather, it just has an uphill climb to prove it deserves a spot in your wallet.

Below-Average Base Rewards Rate

Purchases that fall outside of the bonus rewards categories yield just 1 point per $1 with the Amex Green Card. That’s pretty standard for a rewards card, but most credit card points are worth a penny each. Amex points get you a bit less than that, on average.

No Preset Spending Limit (NPSL)

The American Express Green Card does have a spending limit; you just won’t know exactly what it is at any given time. The limit may vary over time, based on your spending and payment history as well as broader market factors. And American Express probably won’t communicate such changes to you proactively.

As a result, you won’t ever really know how close you are to maxing out your card. That could make it difficult to rely on Amex Green alone.

Limited Financing Capabilities

Amex Green is a hybrid card, which means cardholders must pay off most charges by the due date each billing period in order to continue making purchases the next. However, a certain portion of your balance will be eligible to be paid off over time, with interest. The APR for such a balance depends on your creditworthiness and other factors.

Cardholders will have the option to choose specific recent purchases for longer-term repayment, through Amex’s Pay Over Time feature. Eligible purchases will automatically fall into the longer-term repayment bucket, up to a certain limit. All charges not added to a Pay Over Time balance must be paid in full each month by the payment due date. Also, cardholders can still pay their balance in full by the due date with no limitation.

Other Features of the American Express Green Card

Instant Card Number

If American Express can instantly verify your identity and decides to approve you for an account, you won’t have to wait for your physical card to arrive in the mail to begin making purchases. Amex will give a so-called instant card number that you can use in the meantime. You may not have access to your full credit line until the card arrives, however, which should happen within 7-10 business days of approval.

Made From 70% Recycled Ocean Plastic

The American Express Green Card is largely made from recycled plastic that was reclaimed from oceans, beaches and coastal areas. So, the card isn’t just green in name and coloring alone; it’s eco-friendly, too. Amex has partnered with the organization Parley for the Oceans for this effort.

No Foreign Transaction Fee

The American Express Green Card’s 0% foreign transaction fee makes it suitable for international spending. But American Express cards are not accepted in as many countries as other major card networks.

Assorted Amex Perks

Cardholders get access to special deals on tickets to things like sporting events and concerts, along with offers for everyday savings opportunities and various other benefits available with any American Express card.

Applicants Need Good Credit or Better

We recommend a credit score of 700+ to comfortably satisfy the American Express Green Card’s credit score requirement. If you don’t know where you stand, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.

In addition to good-to-excellent credit, the American Express Green Card’s requirements include being 18+ years old, having a Social Security number, living in the U.S., and earning much more income than you spend on debt payments and other major expenses, among others.

American Express Green Card vs. the Competition

In order to help put the American Express® Green Card into context, we compared it to some of its most popular competitors.

	Sponsored	Sponsored	Sponsored	Sponsored
Annual Fee	$150	$250	$695	$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Bonus Offer	60,000 points	60,000 points	80,000 points	$250
Rewards Rate	1 - 3 points / $1	1 - 4 points / $1	1 - 5 points / $1	1 - 6% Cash Back
Purchase Intro APR	N/A	N/A	N/A	0% for 12 months
Transfer Intro APR	N/A	N/A	N/A	0% for 12 months Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR	See Pay Over Time APR	See Pay Over Time APR	See Pay Over Time APR	18.99% - 29.99% (V)
Editors' Rating	3.5	3.8	3	4.7
Details, Rates & Fees	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply

American Express® Green Card Review Methodology

This American Express® Green Card review is based on WalletHub’s proprietary 100-point credit card rating system. By using a consistent methodology to evaluate the American Express® Green Card and all other cards, WalletHub’s credit card experts make it easy for people to compare their options and find the best credit cards for their needs.

The WalletHub rating system uses 16 key metrics grouped into seven categories: Fees, Rewards, Two-year Cost, Interest Rates, Approval Requirements, Special Features, and Reviews. Each metric has a maximum number of points allocated to it, based on the metric’s importance as determined by our editors. The points are added up to create an overall rating for the American Express® Green Card out of a maximum of 100 points, which is then converted to a 5-point scale.

Ratings for each category reflect how close Amex Green card is to WalletHub’s definition of a 5-star credit card, which is based on market conditions and what we believe are reasonable terms. We compare Amex Green card to that standard to give a numerical approximation of how reasonable and competitive its terms are compared to other cards.

To learn more about how WalletHub rates credit card offers, check out our full credit card review methodology.

American Express Green Card FAQ(16 questions)

What is the American Express Green card credit limit?

Upvotes

Archie Conway, WalletHub Financial Advisor

The Amex Green card spending capacity can vary from month to month, but generally there is no preset spending limit. This means 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 history, 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. But improvements to your credit and income may also allow you to spend more.

View more answers

What credit score do you need for the American Express Green card?

Upvotes

Lawrence, Wallethub Credit Card Analyst

You need a credit score of 700+ to get the Amex Green card. This means at least good credit is required for 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 are the Amex Green card approval requirements:

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 United States mailing address (no P.O. boxes) and a Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or passport.

Before you apply, you should also be aware that the Amex Green card is a hybrid card. That means you're usually required to pay the entire balance in full each billing period.

However, there is a feature called “Pay Over Time” where cardholders can carry a balance on individual eligible charges. Just note that these purchases are subject to approval by Amex. The account will also have a set Pay Over Time limit that cannot be exceeded. All charges not included in the Pay Over Time balance must still be paid in full every month. If you usually carry a balance every month, you might want to consider other Amex cards.

What is the American Express Green Card annual fee?

Upvotes

Gina Marte, WalletHub Advisor

The Amex Green card annual fee is $150. This card is the least expensive of the Amex hybrid card offers. Plus, its rewards and benefits can make it well worth the cost for frequent travelers. The Amex Green card's annual fee isn't the only fee you need to worry about, either.

American Express® Green Card Fees

Annual Fee: $150
Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
Max Late Fee: $40

Despite its annual cost, the Amex Green card is a decent travel and restaurant rewards card. Cardholders can earn 1 - 3 points per $1 spent, depending on the type of purchase. There's also a one-time bonus of 60,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the first 6 months (up to $200 in the form of a statement credit) after account opening.

How much is the American Express Green Card foreign transaction fee?

Upvotes

Elijah Nash, WalletHub Analyst

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.

What changed with the American Express Green Card update?

Upvotes

James bronzz, WalletHub Analyst

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 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the US), 3 points per $1 on travel and transit purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. It also included extra 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 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 current eco-friendly card is made of 70% recycled plastic recovered from oceans, islands and coastal communities worldwide.

How do you earn points on American Express Green Card?

Upvotes

Ashley Wade, WalletHub Analyst

To earn points with the American Express Green Card, make purchases with the card anywhere Amex is accepted. Cardholders earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the US), 3 points per $1 on travel and transit purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. There's also an initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the first 6 months (up to $200 in the form of a statement credit).

Eligible travel purchases include 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 points are worth between 0.7 of a cent and 1 cent apiece, depending on how they're redeemed. Cardholders can also transfer points to 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.

When you first get approved is there a way of getting a temporary card number, or the full account number?

Upvotes

How much is the credit line?

Upvotes

Carlos Lopez

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

Can I use my American Express Green Card card overseas?

Upvotes

Ernest Meyer

You can use your American Express Green card internationally! It's not exactly the best card for purchases overseas (2.7% foreign transaction fee), but if you see that Amex logo, you'll be able to use the card without any trouble. You can also check out the publicly endorsed countries here.

You probably noticed Australia is there as well. That's because there are plenty places where you'll be able to use it. In fact, you can check out this link.

View more answers

What is the Amex Green card bonus?

Upvotes

thomas friedman, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst

The Amex Green Card bonus offer is 60,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the first 6 months (up to $200 in the form of a statement credit). Membership Rewards points vary in value, depending on how they're redeemed. Redemption options include statement credits, travel, gift cards, and merchandise. The Amex Green card bonus is available only to new applicants.

You'll receive Amex Green Card bonus points about 8 to 12 weeks after you've met the spend requirement. Membership Rewards points never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. You will, however, forfeit any unredeemed points if you or Amex closes your account for any reason.

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