Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Looking for a travel credit card that won't break the bank? The American Express® Green Card might be exactly what you need. This mid-tier travel card offers solid earning potential on everyday purchases while maintaining a reasonable $150 annual fee – making it significantly more accessible than its premium siblings.

We'll break down everything you need to know about the Amex Green Card's benefits, earning structure, and whether it delivers enough value to justify that annual fee. Plus, we'll show you how this card stacks up against other popular travel rewards options.

American Express® Green Card: Key Benefits at a Glance

The Amex Green Card has evolved into a compelling option for travelers who want premium benefits without the premium price tag. Here's what makes this card stand out:

Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.

Earning Structure:

• 3x points on dining worldwide (including takeout and delivery)
• 3x points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, car rentals, and more)
• 3x points on transit (taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, public transportation)
• 1x points on all other eligible purchases

Premium Travel Credits:

• Up to $209 annual CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Annual Fee: $150

The American Express transfer partners program is where these points truly shine, offering 1:1 transfer ratios to valuable airline and hotel partners.

How Much Value Does the Welcome Bonus Deliver?

With a 40,000-point welcome bonus after spending $3,000 in six months, you're looking at substantial immediate value. Based on typical Membership Rewards valuations of 2 cents per point, this bonus is worth approximately $800.

This spending requirement is very achievable for most cardholders – that's just $500 per month over six months. For comparison, that's less than what many people spend on groceries and dining combined.

The welcome bonus alone can more than cover your first five years of annual fees, making the card essentially free during that period if you maximize the sign-up offer.

Breaking Down the American Express® Green Card's Earning Categories

Travel and Transit: Your Everyday Commute Pays Off

The 3x earning rate on both travel and transit sets this card apart from many competitors. While most cards only bonus travel purchases, the Green Card rewards your daily commute too.

Travel purchases include:

• Flights and hotels
• Car rentals and vacation rentals
• Cruises and tours
• Campgrounds and RV parks

Transit purchases include:

• Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft)
• Taxis and public transportation
• Parking fees and tolls
• Gas station purchases (when paying at the pump)

This broad definition means you'll earn bonus points on purchases other cards might only give you 1x points for. If you're someone who commutes regularly or travels frequently, this category structure can generate significant points.

Dining: From Corner Cafés to Fine Dining

The 3x points on dining worldwide makes this card competitive for food enthusiasts. Whether you're grabbing coffee on your way to work or enjoying a multi-course dinner, you'll earn triple points.

The dining category includes:

• Restaurants and bars
• Takeout and delivery services
• Coffee shops and cafés
• Food trucks and casual dining

For those who frequently dine out or order delivery, this earning rate can quickly add up. However, it's worth noting that the American Express Gold Card offers 4x points on dining (up to $50,000 annually), making it a better option for serious foodies.

Statement Credits: Offsetting the Annual Fee

CLEAR Plus Credit: Skip the Security Lines

The up to $209 annual CLEAR Plus credit is one of the card's most valuable benefits. CLEAR Plus membership typically costs $189 annually and allows you to skip to the front of airport security lines at participating airports.

This benefit alone nearly covers the card's $150 annual fee. If you fly even a few times per year, the time savings and stress reduction make this credit incredibly valuable.

LoungeBuddy Credit: Airport Lounge Access Made Affordable

The $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit provides flexible lounge access without requiring elite status or premium cards. LoungeBuddy lets you purchase day passes to airport lounges worldwide, and this credit covers those costs.

Since airport lounge day passes typically cost $25-$45, this credit can cover 2-4 lounge visits per year. For occasional travelers who don't justify a premium card with unlimited lounge access, this strikes a perfect balance.

Transfer Partners: Where Membership Rewards Truly Shine

The real value of Membership Rewards points comes through American Express transfer partners. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to numerous airline and hotel partners, often achieving values well above 2 cents per point.

Top Airline Transfer Partners:

• British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
• Delta SkyMiles
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Hotel Transfer Partners:

• Marriott Bonvoy (at a 1:1.2 ratio)

Sweet Spot Redemptions:

• British Airways Avios for short-haul flights
• Virgin Atlantic for flights to Japan via ANA
• Delta for domestic flights
• Marriott for international hotel stays

Understanding how to maximize these transfer opportunities can easily push your point values to 3-5 cents each, making your spending significantly more rewarding.

Additional Perks and Protections

Travel Insurance and Protection Benefits

The Amex Green Card includes several travel protections that add value beyond earning points:

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Coverage up to $50,000 when you decline the rental company's insurance and pay with your card.

Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $300 per trip for eligible expenses when your trip is delayed 12 hours or more (maximum 2 claims per year).

Purchase Protection: Coverage up to $1,000 per occurrence for items stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase.

Amex Offers: Extra Savings on Everyday Purchases

Cardholders get access to Amex Offers – targeted promotions that provide statement credits or bonus points at participating merchants. These offers regularly feature popular retailers, restaurants, and travel brands.

While offer availability varies, active users can typically save $100-$200 annually through these promotions, further offsetting the annual fee.

When the American Express® Green Card Makes Sense

This card works best for travelers who:

Spend significantly on dining and travel: The 3x earning categories are broad enough to capture substantial spending for most people.

Want premium benefits without premium fees: At $150 annually, it's much more accessible than the $695 Platinum Card.

Fly occasionally but want airport perks: The CLEAR and LoungeBuddy credits provide real value without requiring frequent travel.

Plan to use transfer partners: The card's value proposition depends heavily on transferring points rather than redeeming directly with Amex.

What to Consider Before Applying

Credit Requirements

American Express typically requires good to excellent credit for approval. While there's no published minimum credit score, most successful applicants have scores above 670.

Spending Patterns Matter

If you don't spend much on dining, travel, or transit, you might not generate enough bonus points to justify the annual fee. Calculate your annual spending in these categories to determine potential earnings.

Annual Fee Break-Even Analysis

To break even on the $150 annual fee through earning alone, you'd need to spend $7,500 annually in bonus categories (earning 22,500 points worth about $450, minus the fee). However, the statement credits significantly lower this break-even point.

How It Compares to Other Travel Cards

vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers:

• Lower $95 annual fee
• 5x points on travel through Chase portal
• 3x points on dining
• $50 annual hotel credit

The Sapphire Preferred might be better for those who prefer Chase's ecosystem or want a lower annual fee, while the Green Card offers better transit earning and more valuable travel credits.

vs. American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card offers:

• 4x points on dining (up to $50,000 annually)
• 4x points on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually)
• $120 dining credits
• $250 annual fee

Choose the Gold if you're a serious foodie who values dining credits, or stick with the Green for travel-focused benefits at a lower cost.

Maximizing Your American Express® Green Card Value

1. Use All Statement Credits

Fully utilizing the CLEAR Plus and LoungeBuddy credits essentially reduces your effective annual fee to around $50 or less.

2. Monitor Amex Offers

Check your account regularly for new Amex Offers and add relevant ones to your card. These can provide significant additional value throughout the year.

3. Plan Transfer Partner Redemptions

Don't redeem points directly with Amex. Instead, transfer to partners during bonus promotions for maximum value.

4. Consider Credit Score Impact

Building a relationship with American Express through the Green Card can help with future applications for premium cards like the Platinum.

The Bottom Line: Is the American Express® Green Card Worth It?

The American Express Green Card delivers solid value for moderate spenders who want travel rewards without a hefty annual fee. The combination of broad earning categories, valuable travel credits, and access to Membership Rewards transfer partners makes it a compelling choice.

At $150 annually, it's positioned perfectly between no-annual-fee cards and premium options. If you can use the CLEAR Plus credit and occasionally access airport lounges, the card pays for itself while providing excellent earning potential.

The 40,000-point welcome bonus offers immediate value that can cover several years of annual fees, making the first-year value proposition especially strong.

For travelers seeking a balance of earning potential, travel perks, and reasonable costs, the Amex Green Card deserves serious consideration. However, make sure your spending patterns align with the bonus categories and that you'll use the included benefits to maximize your return on the annual fee investment.

Ready to start earning? The current welcome bonus won't last forever, so consider applying while this offer is available.

Looking for more travel credit card options? Check out our complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards or learn about maximizing retention offers to get even more value from your existing cards.