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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.
Guides
Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Green card?
Ethan's been a frequent flier for as long as he can remember, from studying abroad in Paris to moving to Shanghai after graduating college, where he served as TPG's eyes and ears for all things travel in the Asia-Pacific region. If you asked him where he wants to travel next he'd quote Anthony Bourdain and tell you "anytime I'm eating spicy noodles in a bowl, I'm happy."
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
November 15, 2024 • 7 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
A refreshed travel rewards card offers perks like statement credits for expedited airport security and lounge access, though some benefits are ending soon.
The card is best suited for travelers who can use Clear Plus membership and occasional lounge visits, but the lounge credit will be discontinued after January 13, 2025.
Eligibility for the welcome bonus has become more restrictive, with new rules on prior card ownership and bonus sequencing.
This product is positioned between entry-level and premium, making it appealing for semi-frequent travelers but less so for those seeking top-tier benefits.
What to consider
The lounge access credit expires January 13, 2025, reducing future value for some users.
Eligibility for the welcome bonus is limited by both a once-per-lifetime rule and restrictions based on prior card ownership.
Those maximizing other card application opportunities, such as the 5/24 rule, may find better value elsewhere.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of who benefits most from this card, including nuanced eligibility scenarios and comparison to premium alternatives.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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.
CLEAR
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.
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.
LOUNGEBUDDY/FACEBOOK
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.
THE POINTS GUY
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.
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.
JORDAN WALLER/THE POINTS GUY
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.
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.
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.
