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The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) earns valuable American Express Membership Rewards® points in categories that include travel, transit and dining for a moderate annual fee of $150. With some travel perks and protections, the card can be a great option for occasional travelers who aren’t willing to take on a higher annual fee. However, frequent travelers will find its benefits to be lackluster compared to more premium travel cards.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Amex Green Card overview

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a welcome offer of 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. You’ll also receive an annual up to $189 statement credit for a CLEAR® Plus membership and an annual up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit, available each calendar year. These perks can easily offset the $150 annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The card earns 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Membership Rewards are a highly valued currency among travelers for their ability to be transferred to a wide variety of airline and hotel transfer partners.

Major Amex Green Card benefits

Welcome bonus 

Cardholders can earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Although the welcome bonus is not the highest the card has ever had, the reasonable spending requirement to earn it can make the offer extra appealing. 

Points earned 

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. shines with its generous earning rate and broadly defined categories. You can earn:

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

  • 3 points per $1 at restaurants.
  • 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours and ridesharing services.
  • 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

The travel category is expansive and includes flights, hotels, campgrounds, car rentals, cruises, vacation rentals. Transit includes trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways. 

Finally, the dining category includes takeout and delivery at U.S. restaurants.

Redemption options

Earned rewards are only as good as their redemption options and Amex’s Membership Rewards are valuable. You can transfer points to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty program partners. Occasional transfer bonuses to specific partners can make this all the more lucrative as the value of the redemptions will vary from program to program. 

For those who prefer a more straightforward approach, points can also be redeemed for travel through Membership Rewards at a fixed rate of no more than one cent per point. 

Lesser-value options include redeeming points for gift cards and shopping online, although there are better ways to use the points.

The juice can be worth the squeeze. Here’s how to maximize the benefits on the Amex Green card in the first year

Travel benefits 

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. comes with an annual CLEAR Plus statement credit so you can enjoy shorter airport security lines. It also includes an annual up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit when purchasing airport lounge access through the LoungeBuddy website or app (enrollment required). LoungeBuddy allows you to purchase lounge access to over 2,000 airport lounges in over 800 airports around the world. 

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Insurance benefits 

Although less comprehensive than other travel rewards cards, the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has some useful travel protections.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Trip delay insurance¹ will cover up to $300 per round-trip if you are delayed for more than 12 hours. You are covered up to $300 per trip (up to two claims per year) and you have to had paid for the trip with the Amex Green Card.

Baggage insurance² covers lost, damaged or stolen baggage up to $1,250 for carry-ons and up to $500 for checked bags. 

Car rental loss and damage insurance³ can save you money when you use your American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. to reserve and pay for your car rental. You can decline the collision damage waiver and be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in covered territories. It’s important to note that exclusions apply and the coverage is secondary.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Additional benefits 

Global Assist Hotline⁴

When traveling more than 100 miles from home, you can access Amex’s 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services with your American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . The service can help with issues while traveling, such as passport assistance, emergency cash or legal or medical referrals. While you are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers, Amex can help connect you with the services you need.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Purchase protection⁵

New purchases paid for with your American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. may be covered for 90 days from theft or damage. You’ll have purchase protection up to $1,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per calendar year.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Extended warranty⁶

You can get up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty on covered purchases paid for with your American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Amex offers 

An easy way to save cash or earn bonus points is by adding targeted Amex Offers to your American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . With the click of a button you can receive additional benefits from merchants on purchases you’re already making. 

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Amex event experiences

Getting tickets to concerts or exclusive events is easier with Amex’s early access benefit. Owning the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. can unlock presale ticket sales, special VIP packages and unique cardholder benefits. Previous offers include special U.S. Open Tennis Championship suite access and unique food and dining events in Napa Valley.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Amex Green vs. American Express® Gold Card: Which has better benefits?

While the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is geared toward travelers, the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees) is best for those who frequently dine out (or in!), earning 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

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American Express® Gold Card

Partner Offer
American Express® Gold Card
BLUEPRINT RATING
Our ratings are based on specific use cases for each card. We compared this card to others in the same category and developed our rankings based on this criteria, along with our editorial input. Note that although we chose this card as the best in its category, the right card for you will depend on your own financial circumstances.
Rates & fees / Terms apply
Apply Now
On American Express’s secure website

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 60,000 points

Annual fee

$250

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit score

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

(700 – 749) Good, Excellent
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases

Editor’s take

Pros
  • Up to $240 in combined credits for Uber Cash and on select dining.
  • High rewards rate on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and travel.
  • Generous welcome bonus.
Cons
  • $250 annual fee.
  • Minimal travel perks.
  • Complex rewards structure.
If eating and travel are your priorities, the American Express® Gold Card could be ideal for you for its generous rewards on spending in those areas. Plus it comes with valuable perks that could offset the annual fee, if fully maximized.

Card details

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

The Amex Gold comes with a higher annual fee of $250 but has a bigger welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card also comes with up to $120 in annual dining credits eligible at participating locations, up to $120 in annual Uber Cash (card must be added to Uber app to receive this benefit) and an up to $100 experience credit with a two-night minimum stay when you book The Hotel Collection through Amex Travel. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Comparing the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and Amex Gold card benefits and deciding which is better for you comes down to your lifestyle and rewards goals as each has their draws and limitations.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is good for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees, as well as trip delay¹, car rental insurance³ and baggage insurance²

It also earns 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases, expenses you’re likely to have when abroad.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers trip delay¹, baggage² and car rental insurance³.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The credit limit on the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is not specified and will vary person to person based on factors that include your credit history, current credit limits on other cards, income and existing debt.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. does not include Priority Pass lounge access, but it does have an up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit per calendar year, which can be used for day passes at participating lounges. 

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Whether the American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. or Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is the better card for you depends on your spending habits and rewards goals. 

The Amex EveryDay Card may be a better choice for someone who doesn’t want to pay an annual fee and is ok with earning fewer points on travel purchases but more points at U.S. supermarkets with limited additional benefits.

All information about American Express® Green Card and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.

¹Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

²Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

³Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

⁴You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

⁵When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

⁶When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

*The information for the American Express® Green Card and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Tamara Aydinyan has been traveling the world with the help of miles and points for over a decade and enjoys teaching others to do the same. When she's not on the move, you can find her in Los Angeles or New York City, or on Instagram @deadlytravel.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.