Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Green card?
Editor's Note
Effective Jan. 13, 2025, the $100 LoungeBuddy Credit benefit will no longer be available.
A few years back, Amex refreshed its longstanding American Express® Green Card with added perks — and an increased annual fee.
Currently, the Amex Green Card is offering new applicants a welcome bonus of 40,000 Membership Rewards points (worth $800, based on TPG's November 2024 valuations) after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.
The card has an annual fee of $150, but you'll also enjoy some bonus categories and perks.
The Amex Green earns 3 points per dollar worldwide on travel, restaurants, and transit, including flights, hotels, campsites, tours, car rentals, rideshares, buses, subways, third-party travel websites, and Amextravel.com. It earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
You can go a long way toward offsetting the annual fee by taking advantage of annual statement credits of up to $299: up to $199 to purchase a Clear Plus membership and up to $100 for LoungeBuddy access (no longer available effective Jan. 13, 2025). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Let's discuss who this card is right for — and who it isn't.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The information on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Who should get the Amex Green?
People who use Clear
Expedited security options like Clear can get you through the lines and into airport lounges faster. Clear speeds you through the identification check at the beginning of security and to the front of the line.
It currently operates in more than 55 U.S. airports. Passengers use biometric data (facial recognition and fingerprints) to clear themselves through security without having to wait in line for a human to do it. The normal rate for Clear Plus membership is $199 a year, and Amex Green cardholders receive a Clear Plus credit that fully covers this cost.
Dozens of credit cards offer fee reimbursements for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry and Priority Pass memberships. Still, the Amex Green Card's Clear Plus statement credit is a nice supplement for people with TSA PreCheck through a different card.
Related: Best credit cards for TSA PreCheck
People without a Priority Pass membership
LoungeBuddy is great for people who don't have a Priority Pass membership and still want occasional access to lounges. It's also a complimentary perk for people who have a membership but travel through airports without Priority Pass lounges.
The price of a single pass varies from lounge to lounge, but you should be able to squeeze two visits out of your $100 annual statement credit. LoungeBuddy also sometimes partners with airline lounges unavailable to Priority Pass members. However, it is important to note that the LoungeBuddy credit will end on Jan 13, 2025, as the program is ending.
People who are eligible for the welcome bonus
Recently, Amex has become more stringint on the eligibility requirements for their welcome bonuses. In addition to its once-per-lifetime restriction, Amex has recently added restrictions about the order of welcome bonuses cardmembers are eligible to receive.
Their terms state:
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, the American Express® Gold Card or previous versions of these Cards.
The information for the Platinum Card from American Express for Morgan Stanley and the Platinum Card for Charles Schwab have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you're new enough to the Amex ecosystem that you're eligible for the Amex Green bonus, you may want to apply for it before going after more premium cards.
Who shouldn't get the Amex Green?
People who've previously had an Amex Green Card
If you currently have or have ever had an Amex Green card, it's likely not worth applying as you won't be eligible for the bonus. You'll also need to keep an eye out as you progress through the application for a pop-up warning that you are not eligible for this product. It's unclear what triggers these ineligibility messages, but Amex has been on the warpath against gaming and abuse among its customers.
People under 5/24
One of the biggest reasons not to get the Green Card has nothing to do with Amex and everything to do with Chase, Amex's biggest competitor in the credit card rewards world. If you're unfamiliar with the 5/24 rule, check out this guide (you'll thank us later).
If you are familiar with the 5/24 rule and still have slots left with Chase, there's no good reason to apply for the Amex Green Card. I know five credit cards in two years can seem like a lot when you're just starting out, but trust me, those spaces fill up faster than you'd imagine, and once you're over 5/24, there's a massive opportunity cost to get back under.
Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots
People who want a premium credit card
The Amex Green straddles the line between entry-level and premium with its low annual fee and some perks.
However, many travelers have found that they can come out ahead with premium cards, even if they pay hundreds of dollars a year in annual fees.
If you travel more than once or twice a year, you might want a card with a full Priority Pass membership instead of a limited LoungeBuddy credit or maybe a card to help you earn elite status with your preferred airline or hotel. The Amex Green is a great option for the relatively low cost, but if you're looking to upgrade your travel experience, there are better choices out there.
Related: Card showdown: Amex Gold vs. Amex Green
People who don't use Clear and LoungeBuddy
Between Clear's limited footprint and the fact that the LoungeBuddy credit is only good for a couple of passes each year, many people might struggle to maximize two of these card's key benefits.
If you can't use either credit, your out-of-pocket cost on the Amex Green will be the full $150 annual fee. I'd rather have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($795 annual fee; see rates and fees), which effectively costs $495 a year after subtracting the $300 annual travel credit and comes with better perks, like a full Priority Pass membership.
Bottom line
The Amex Green is generally a decent product if its offerings align with your travel and spending needs. If you're a semi-frequent traveler, you can definitely get value from this card's perks, but there are certainly other, more viable travel credit card options out there. Some will benefit from this card, but it won't be the right choice for everyone.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Green Card to decide if it's a good addition to your wallet.
Related: Best credit cards