Is the Amex Green Card worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
Typically, when credit cards undergo changes, those changes come with a higher annual fee.
However, that's not the case for the American Express® Green Card. While the card has experienced multiple updates in recent years, its reasonable $150 annual fee has remained the same.
But what do you get for that $150? Let's break down the card's benefits to help you decide if it's worth adding to your wallet.
The information for the Amex 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.
Welcome offer
Currently, new Amex Green applicants can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership.
TPG's January 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $800.
You have a wide range of options when you're ready to redeem your Membership Rewards points, including cashing out your points (not the best value) or redeeming with hotel and airline partners (can provide incredible value, depending on the partner).
Excellent uses of Membership Rewards points include domestic flights on Delta Air Lines, flights to South America with LATAM and flights to Japan on Virgin Atlantic for redemptions with ANA.
Related: The ultimate guide to Amex Membership Rewards
Clear Plus statement credit
Clear is a security program that can help you speed through airport and sporting event security checkpoints by using biometrics to prove your identity.
Membership costs $199 per year, which you can get reimbursed for in full by paying for your Clear Plus membership with your Amex Green card (subject to auto-renewal).
There's no prior enrollment required with Amex to use this benefit, but you will need to register with Clear Plus and complete your enrollment to use Clear security lanes at a growing number of venues and airports. Terms apply.
Even better, select Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus cobranded credit card holders can get a Clear Plus membership at a reduced price of $159. Since your annual benefit maximum on the Amex Green is $199, that's enough to cover this reduced price and some of the cost of adding a loved one.
If you don't already have a Clear Plus membership, this perk alone will more than make up the $150 annual fee cost.
Related: Why your family may want to get Clear Plus before your next flight
Earning rates
One of the best features of the Amex Green may be its earning structure.
Cardmembers earn 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery services in the U.S.), 3 points per dollar on transit (including trains, buses, ferries and subways), 3 points per dollar on travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
With broad travel and transit categories, this is one of the best cards for travel purchases and dining expenses. Since TPG's January 2025 valuations peg Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, this is an effective 6% return on spending for your travel, commuting and dining expenses.
While the Amex Green earns less at restaurants worldwide than the 4 points per dollar (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) provided by the American Express® Gold Card and doesn't offer bonus points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, 1 point per dollar thereafter) as the Amex Gold does, the Amex Green provides much better earning rates for commuting and travel.
Related: Card showdown: Amex Gold vs. Amex Green
Additional benefits
Cardmembers also have access to Amex Offers, which can provide rebates or bonus points on your upcoming purchases through targeted promotions.
The card also comes with built-in shopping and travel protections that can provide both peace of mind and security during mishaps at home and abroad. Terms apply.
Related: Everything you need to know about credit card merchant offers
Bottom line
As cardmember benefits have improved on the Amex Green in the past few years, the annual fee has remained steady at a moderate $150. If you can use the Clear Plus benefit, you can easily offset the annual fee.
However, you might not use these perks if you already have another credit card that reimburses your Clear Plus membership. The question at that point would be whether the earning structure on the Amex Green provides enough extra Membership Rewards points each year to make keeping the card worthwhile.
Learn more: American Express Green
Related: Who should (and who shouldn't) get the Amex Green card?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.