American Express Green Card Review

John S Kiernan, Managing EditorNov 15, 2022

WALLETHUB’S RATING: 3.5 / 5

John S Kiernan, Managing EditorNov 15, 2022

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

40,000 points initial bonus offer
No foreign fee

Cons

$150 annual fee
No preset spending limit

American Express® Green Card

3.79 out of 5 rating363 Reviews

Learn More

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee

$150

Rewards Rate

1 - 3 points / $1

Bonus Offer

40,000 points

Min Credit Needed

Good

Rewards Details

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on all eligible travel, from subway swipes and window seats to hotel stays and city tours.
Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR® membership with the American Express® Green Card.
Earn up to $100 in annual statement credits to access airport lounges globally through LoungeBuddy.
Terms Apply.

Additional Info

Info about the American Express® Green Card has been collected by WalletHub to help consumers better compare cards. The financial institution did not provide the details.
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 40,000 points by spending $2,000 within 6 months of opening a new account. All cardholders earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel-related purchases and at restaurants worldwide. 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.

Advantages of the American Express Green Card

40,000 points for an Initial Bonus

Those bonus points, which new cardholders can earn by spending $2,000 in the first 6 months, are worth an average of $347 when redeemed through American Express Membership Rewards. On average, credit cards offering an initial bonus in the form of points or miles give roughly 31,338 (worth around $230).

So, based on initial points alone, Amex Green’s welcome bonus figures to be a bit better than average. Fortunately for applicants who time things right, bonus points might not be the only thing in your welcome wagon.

Extra Rewards on Travel & Dining

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

Travel includes everything from airfare and hotel reservations to ridesharing, tolls and public transit, whether booked directly with a travel provider or through a third-party travel comparison website. And unlike some other Amex cards’ dining rewards, restaurants outside the U.S. are eligible for bonus points, too.

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 $22. 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

Non-travel/restaurant spending yields 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. The card’s marketing materials do mention the ability to spend above your limit, and earn rewards in the process, but they don’t provide much in the way of specifics.

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, though.

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 revamped 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.

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
Annual Fee	$150	$250	$695	$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Bonus Offer	40,000 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	20.24% - 27.24% (V)	See Pay Over Time APR	18.24% - 29.24% (V)
Editors' Rating	3.5	3.8	3	4.7
Details, Rates & Fees	Learn More	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply	Learn More Rates & Fees Terms Apply

American Express Green Card FAQ(18 questions)

What is the American Express Green card credit limit?

Upvotes

Archie Conway, WalletHub Financial Advisor

The Amex Green card credit limit can vary from month to month, but generally there is no preset spending limit. 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.

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What is the American Express Green Card credit score requirement?

Upvotes

Lawrence Stone, Wallethub Credit Card Analyst

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 hybrid 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 eligible charges. However, these purchases are subject to approval by Amex. And the account will have a set “Pay Over Time” limit that cannot be exceeded. All charges not included in the Pay Over Time balance will also require to 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 40,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months 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 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.

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 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 40,000 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.

I need clarification, I was reading something that says, earn 1 point for every eligible dollar spent and read something that says, earn 1 point for every eligible purchase requirement. Is it purchases or every dollar spent? Do they have a list of what is considered "eligible"?

Upvotes

Carlos Lopez

Virtually you earn 1point on every purchase . But the program is different in the different american express cards (19 cards).

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.

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