American Express® Green Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $150
• APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Rewards: 3X points on travel, restaurants & transit, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 40,000 Membership Rewards points after $3,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Urban commuters, frequent diners, eco-conscious travelers
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The American Express Green Card is designed for modern urban professionals who prioritize sustainable travel and daily transit. With 3X Membership Rewards points on travel, dining, and transit (including rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses), this card rewards your everyday lifestyle while keeping the annual fee accessible at just $150.

Built for those who want premium rewards without the premium price tag, the Green Card delivers exceptional value through its broad 3X earning categories and valuable credits. The $209 CLEAR credit and $100 LoungeBuddy credit effectively reduce the annual fee to zero, while the card's focus on transit and sustainable travel makes it perfect for environmentally conscious cardholders.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Balance Transfer APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Cash Advance APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This card is designed to be paid in full each month to maximize rewards value.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
• $100 LoungeBuddy Credit: Annual credit for airport lounge day passes through LoungeBuddy
• Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per trip for delays over 6 hours
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Coverage for qualified trip disruptions
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage worldwide
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $100,000 coverage
• Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance while traveling

Transit Benefits

• $209 CLEAR Credit: Annual statement credit for CLEAR Plus membership (normally $199, save on TSA security lines)
• 3X Points on Transit: Includes rideshares (Uber, Lyft), parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
• Sustainable Travel Focus: Earn bonus points on eco-friendly transit options

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties of 5 years or less
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back (up to $300 per item)
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Free Additional Cards: Add authorized users at no cost

Lifestyle Benefits

• Amex Experiences: Access to exclusive events, concerts, and dining experiences
• Global Dining Collection: Reservations at exclusive restaurants worldwide
• Membership Rewards Program: Transfer points to 20+ airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratio
• ShopRunner: Free 2-day shipping at select online retailers

Rewards & Points

• 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel (flights, hotels, cruises, tours, etc.)
• 3X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery)
• 3X points on transit (rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, ferries)
• 1X point on all other purchases

Redemption Options:

• Transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners (typically 1.5-2.0+ cents per point value)
• Redeem for travel through Amex Travel portal
• Statement credits (1 cent per point)
• Shopping with points at Amazon and other retailers
• Gift cards
• Pay with Points at eligible merchants

Points never expire as long as your account remains open.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 40,000 points can be worth $600–$800 when transferred to airline partners like Delta, ANA, or British Airways for award flights. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $150
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: Not applicable (charge card)
• Cash Advance Fee: Not applicable
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Urban commuters who spend heavily on transit (Uber, Lyft, parking, trains)
• Frequent diners who eat out regularly and value 3X on restaurants
• Eco-conscious travelers who prioritize sustainable transportation
• Those who fly frequently and benefit from CLEAR membership
• International travelers who avoid foreign transaction fees
• Membership Rewards collectors building points for aspirational travel
• Budget-conscious premium seekers wanting low annual fee with strong rewards
• Airport lounge visitors who use LoungeBuddy for day passes

Not Good For

• Those who don't commute or use transit regularly (3X category wasted)
• Suburban/rural residents who drive personal vehicles exclusively
• Those who won't use CLEAR (major credit goes unused)
• Light spenders who can't justify the $150 annual fee
• Those seeking airport lounge access (LoungeBuddy credit is limited)
• Cash back preferrers (Membership Rewards require learning transfer partners)
• Balance carriers (high APR makes this expensive)
• Those who want higher earning rates (3X is good but not exceptional)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad 3X earning on travel, dining, and transit (rideshares, parking, tolls, trains)
• $209 CLEAR credit effectively covers half the annual fee
• $100 LoungeBuddy credit provides airport lounge flexibility
• Low $150 annual fee makes it accessible for premium rewards
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• Membership Rewards transfer to 20+ airline and hotel partners
• Transit category includes rideshares (Uber, Lyft) and parking
• Sustainable travel focus aligns with eco-conscious values
• Points never expire as long as account is open
• Comprehensive travel protections included

Cons

• $150 annual fee requires active use to justify
• 1X earning on non-bonus categories is weak
• Credits require specific services (CLEAR, LoungeBuddy)
• No airport lounge access included (unlike Platinum)
• LoungeBuddy credit is limited to $100 (3-4 visits)
• CLEAR credit only valuable if you fly frequently
• Transit category may be limited for those who drive personal vehicles
• 3X earning rate is good but not exceptional compared to competitors
• Membership Rewards require learning transfer partners for max value
• APR is high if you carry a balance

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $25,000 per year on typical expenses:

Credits Value:

• CLEAR credit: $209
• LoungeBuddy credit: $100
• Total Credits: $309

Net Annual Fee: $150 - $309 in credits = effectively -$159 (profit if you use all credits)

Total Value: 51,000 Membership Rewards points (worth $765–$1,020 when transferred) + $309 in credits = $1,074–$1,329 in total value, minus $150 annual fee = $924–$1,179 net value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You spend $300+ monthly on dining, transit, and travel combined
• You commute regularly using rideshares, trains, or parking
• You fly frequently and benefit from CLEAR membership
• You want occasional airport lounge access via LoungeBuddy
• You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
• You understand how to maximize Membership Rewards transfers
• You want premium rewards with a manageable $150 annual fee
• You value sustainable travel and eco-friendly transportation
• You can comfortably pay the balance in full each month

You Should Skip It If...

• You drive your personal vehicle exclusively (transit category wasted)
• You don't fly frequently enough to use CLEAR membership
• You spend less than $300/month on dining and transit combined
• You won't use the LoungeBuddy credit regularly
• You prefer simple cash back over transferable points
• You need comprehensive airport lounge access (consider Platinum)
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR)
• You want higher earning rates on everyday spending
• You can't justify the $150 annual fee with your spending patterns
• You prefer all-around travel cards over transit-focused rewards

Apply Now

Apply for American Express Green Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.