American Express offers a variety of travel cards that provide excellent benefits, perks, and points redemption options. Two prominent cards in their lineup are the American Express® Green Card and the American Express® Gold Card. Both cards belong to the Membership Rewards program, but they have distinct features and rewards tailored to different preferences.
The American Express® Green Card is designed for travel enthusiasts, catering to their wanderlust with travel-related benefits and rewards. On the other hand, the American Express® Gold Card focuses on rewarding spending on culinary experiences and dining.
Choosing between these two cards depends on your individual needs and lifestyle. If you frequently travel and value travel-related benefits, the Green Card might be the better option. However, if you enjoy exploring gastronomic delights and dining experiences, the Gold Card could be the more suitable choice. Evaluating your preferences will help you make an informed decision and get the most out of your credit card.
| GREEN FROM AMEX | AMEX GOLD | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $250 |
| Rewards | 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases | 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases |
| Welcome bonus | 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of card membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit | 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership |
| Card benefits | Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit; up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit; Global Assist Hotline¹; trip delay insurance²; secondary car rental loss and damage insurance³; baggage insurance⁴. Enrollment is required for select benefits. | Up to $120 dining statement credit; up to $120 in Uber Cash (card must be added in Uber app to receive benefit); experience credit during eligible stays at The Hotel Collection properties; Global Assist Hotline¹; secondary car rental loss and damage insurance³; baggage insurance⁴. Enrollment is required for select benefits. |
Annual fees
Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold Card are positioned in the market between mid-tier and ultra-premium cards. The former has a $150 annual fee, while the latter charges $250 annually. Comparatively, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card falls in the mid-tier category with a $95 annual fee, and The Platinum Card® from American Express is an ultra-premium option with a steep $695 yearly fee (terms apply).
For individuals who rarely travel or dine out, neither of these cards may be suitable, and they might prefer a no-annual-fee rewards credit card. However, for the right person, either the Amex® Green Card or the Amex Gold Card can be well worth the price. Take, for instance, the Amex® Green Card’s up to $189 CLEAR Plus statement credit and up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit, which can offset a significant portion of the $150 annual fee.
Both cards offer access to the Membership Rewards program and a valuable lineup of transfer partners. This feature is highly advantageous for those seeking almost-free award travel through points redemption.
Rewards
Green from Amex and Amex Gold are both rewarding credit cards for spending on food and travel. While the Green from Amex offers lower bonus rates, it is a versatile choice for various travel expenses. On the other hand, the Gold Card targets food enthusiasts who wish to maximize their rewards.
With the Green from Amex, you earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel (including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services), and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Conversely, the American Express Gold Card offers 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, takeout, and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel, and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Both the Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold earn Membership Rewards points, Amex’s flexible rewards currency. Cardmembers have a variety of redemption options, such as booking or upgrading travel, applying statement credits to past purchases, choosing gift cards from various retailers, shopping online with participating merchants, and buying merchandise through Amex’s shopping portal. Additionally, cardholders can transfer their Membership Rewards points to nearly two dozen airline and hotel loyalty partners at a 1:1 rate or better with most partners.
The best value for points redemption can typically be achieved by booking flights via American Express Travel or transferring points to preferred airline or hotel programs for award travel.
Welcome bonus
American Express offers two cards with attractive welcome bonuses based on specific spending requirements.
The Amex® Green Card presents a chance to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of owning the card. Additionally, during those six months, you can also get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases, receiving up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
On the other hand, the Amex Gold Card offers a similar opportunity to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points. To qualify, you need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of owning the card.
Both cards provide valuable rewards, making them appealing options for those who can meet the required spending thresholds.
Travel benefits
The Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold offer travel benefits that can help justify their annual fees. One advantage is the absence of foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside the U.S. Additionally, both cards provide emergency coordination and assistance through Amex’s Global Assist Hotline when you’re more than 100 miles from home.
The Amex® Green Card provides two significant yearly credits. You can enjoy a CLEAR Plus statement credit of up to $189, which allows you to go through select airports more quickly using biometric identification. Moreover, you get a LoungeBuddy statement credit of up to $100, which can be useful for purchasing occasional airport lounge access. The card also offers travel protections like trip delay insurance and baggage insurance when you book a trip with it.
On the other hand, the Amex Gold also comes with valuable credits. Cardholders can receive up to $120 in dining statement credits and $120 in Uber Cash each year. Similar to the Green Card, booking a trip with the Gold Card offers baggage insurance and trip delay insurance.
The travel benefits of the Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold can enhance your travel experience and provide value for the respective annual fees. Whether it’s expedited airport procedures or financial coverage for unexpected events during your trips, these cards have you covered.
Car rental insurance coverage
Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold offer secondary car rental insurance, which serves as an additional benefit to cardholders. This secondary insurance comes into play when your personal car insurance policy does not cover certain costs.
It’s important to note that this car rental loss and damage insurance does not include liability coverage. Its main focus is on covering damages to the rental vehicle in the event of an accident or theft during the rental period. In some cases, this coverage may also extend to reasonable charges such as towing, storage, and rental company administration fees.
To take advantage of this benefit, cardmembers need to use their Amex card to pay for the rental vehicle and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver at the counter. By doing so, they become eligible for coverage under this secondary car rental insurance policy.
Hotel Benefits:
While the Amex® Green Card focuses on earning bonus points for hotel purchases, the Amex Gold offers a unique perk. When booking stays with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel, cardholders can receive up to a $100 experience credit. It’s important to note that a minimum two-night stay is required to qualify for this credit offered by the Gold Card. If you’re looking for more extensive hotel rewards or automatic status, exploring hotel-specific cards might be a better option.
Shopping Benefits:
Both the American Express Green Card and the American Express Gold Card come with shopping benefits. Cardholders can enjoy purchase protection and extended warranty protection on eligible purchases made with their cards. Additionally, they receive a complimentary ShopRunner membership upon enrollment. This membership allows for free two-day shipping when shopping online at over 100 participating merchants, making it a valuable perk for avid online shoppers.
Should you get both the Amex® Green Card and Amex Gold?
Amex offers two prominent credit cards that could be valuable additions to your wallet. The Amex Gold caters well to food enthusiasts, providing excellent rewards for dining and grocery expenses. On the other hand, if you are a frequent traveler, the Amex® Green Card might be more rewarding for you. However, it’s crucial to carefully assess the overlapping spending categories and benefits of both cards to determine if the cost of two annual fees is justified.
For most consumers, it would be more practical to choose either the Amex Gold or the Amex® Green Card based on their spending habits and preferences. Nonetheless, if you are an avid traveler and heavily spend on restaurants and groceries, carrying both cards could potentially be advantageous, especially if you can utilize the major credits offered.
Both the Green from Amex and the Amex Gold are part of the issuer’s flagship suite of rewards cards. To have the best chances of approval, a good-to-excellent credit score, such as a FICO Score of 670 or higher, is generally recommended, though other factors are also taken into account.
