Normally, when credit cards undergo changes, those changes come with a higher annual fee.
However, that is not the case of the American Express® Green Card. While the card has seen multiple updates in recent years, its reasonable $150 annual fee remains the same.
But what do you get for that $150? Let’s look at the benefits of the card 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 during the first six months of card membership.
TPG January 2025 ratings set 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 redeem your points (not the best value) or redeem with hotel and airline partners (can provide incredible valuedepending on the partner).
Great uses for Membership Rewards points include domestic flights on Delta Air Lines, flights to South America with LATAM, and flights to Japan on Virgin Atlantic for exchanges with ANA.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Amex Membership Rewards
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Clear Plus Statement Credit
Clear is a security program that can help you quickly get through security checkpoints at airports and sporting events by using biometric data to prove your identity.
Membership costs $199 per year, which you can get a full refund by paying for your Clear Plus membership with your Amex Green card (subject to automatic renewal).
No pre-registration with Amex is required to use this benefit, but you will need to register for Clear Plus and complete your registration to use Clear security lanes at a growing number of locations and airports. Terms apply.
Even better, select Delta Sky Miles and United Mileage Plus co-branded credit card holders you can get a Clear Plus membership at a reduced price of $159. Since your maximum annual benefit at 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 benefit alone will more than offset the cost of the $150 annual fee.
Related: Why your family may want to get Clear Plus before your next flight
Profit rates
One of the best features of Amex Green may be its earnings structure.
Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants around the world (including takeout and delivery services in the US), 3 points per dollar on public transportation (including trains, buses, ferries and meters), 3 points per dollar on trips and 1 point per dollar. in other purchases.
With wide travel and transit categories, this is one of the best cards for travel purchases and food expenses. From January 2025 from TPG ratings Set Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, this is an effective 6% return on your travel spend. commute and meal expenses.
While Amex Green earns less at restaurants 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 does not offer bonus points in the US. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, 1 point per dollar thereafter) Like Amex Gold does, Amex Green offers much better earning rates for commuting and travel.
Related: Card Showdown: Amex Gold vs. Amex Green
Additional benefits
Cardholders also have access to Amex Offerswhich may provide cashback or bonus points on your next purchases through specific promotions.
The card also comes with built-in shopping and travel protections that can provide peace of mind and security during mishaps at home and abroad. Terms apply.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Credit Card Merchant Offers
In a nutshell
As cardholder benefits have improved at Amex Green in recent years, the annual fee has remained stable at a moderate $150. If you can use the Clear Plus benefit, you can easily offset the annual fee.
However, you may not use these benefits if you already have another credit card. that refunds your Clear Plus membership. The question at that point would be whether Amex Green’s earning structure provides enough extra Membership Rewards points each year to make the card worth keeping.
More information: American Express Green
Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Green card?
