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Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Amex Gold vs. Amex Classic Green: A popular product against an underrated choice
Jennifer is a contributing writer to The Points Guy where she focuses on family travel. She is also the founder of Deals We Like where she helps her readers travel on a deal.
Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time). Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won the Green Card Lottery and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years before relocating to Spain in 2025.
also contributed to this story
March 23, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Two long-standing travel rewards cards have been updated to appeal to different spending habits, with one focusing on travel and the other on dining and groceries.
The travel-focused card is no longer accepting new applications as of July 23, 2026, while the dining and grocery card remains available with enhanced benefits.
Both products provide travel and shopping protections, statement credits and no foreign transaction fees, but the dining and grocery card offers more value through a broader range of credits.
Redemption and transfer options for points are identical across both cards, including access to 16 airline and four hotel partners.
What to consider
Eligibility for introductory offers depends on previous card ownership and other factors, with notifications provided before application submission.
The travel-focused card offers a credit for a biometric security service, while the dining and grocery card provides monthly and annual credits at select merchants and services (enrollment required; terms apply).
Switching between these products is possible, but doing so may forfeit eligibility for introductory offers.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of benefits, earning structures and redemption strategies to help determine which card best matches your spending patterns.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
But classic doesn’t mean outdated, as these cards have received significant makeovers in recent years, resulting in two competitive products aimed at different market segments.
The Amex Classic Green is more focused on travel, while the Amex Gold is better suited for spending on groceries and dining.
The Amex Classic Green is no longer accepting applications as of July 23, 2026.
The information for the American Express Classic Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The card is no longer accepting applications, therefore it has no welcome offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Earning rates
3 points per dollar on select travel and transit
3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com or through the Amex Travel App™
4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
3 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airline, through amextravel.com or through the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked through amextravel.com
1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Statement credits and benefits
Clear+: Up to $219 credit every calendar year for Clear+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)*
No foreign transaction fees
Dining: Up to $10 monthly dining credit at select merchants*
Dunkin': Up to $7 monthly credit for purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts*
Hotel: Up to $100 experience credit for your stay of at least two nights each year when booking The Hotel Collection through amextrave.com or the Amex Travel App^
Resy: Up to $50 biannual credit per calendar year for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants*
*Enrollment is required; terms apply. ˜The Amex Gold Card must be added to your Uber account and you can redeem your Uber and Uber Eats transactions with any Amex card. ^Eligible charges vary by property.
Amex Gold vs. Amex Classic Green welcome offer
With the Amex Gold, you can offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Using TPG’s March 2025 valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, this offer is worth up to $2,000.
THE POINTS GUY
If you have or have had the Classic Green, you should be able to get the welcome offer on the Gold.
In addition, American Express also considers other factors to determine welcome offer eligibility, though it should notify you of your status before you submit your application and face a hard inquiry.
A standout benefit of the Amex Classic Green is its up to $209 annual statement credit every calendar year toward a Clear+ membership. This is enough to fully cover the cost of one adult membership. (Enrollment is required; subject to auto-renewal.)
However, the Amex Gold offers much more value to cardmembers in the form of up to $424 in statement credits every year. (Individual credits detailed in the table above.)
VIOLETASTOIMENOVA/GETTY IMAGES
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
