The American Express® Green Card is a travel card that offers generous rewards, including the ability to transfer points to various partners. On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a cash-back card with excellent rewards for grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets and select streaming services.
The two cards, American Express® Green Card and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, cater to different types of cardholders. The Amex® Green Card is ideal for frequent travelers who often spend on hotels, restaurants, and transit. In contrast, the Blue Cash Preferred Card is more suitable for individuals who have significant grocery expenses at U.S. supermarkets or enjoy using select streaming services.
It’s worth noting that the Amex® Green Card earns Membership® Rewards points, providing flexibility in redemption options, including transfers to nearly two dozen airline and hotel partners. On the other hand, the rewards earned through the Blue Cash Preferred Card are less versatile, offering Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits.
Overall, both cards have their strengths and target specific spending habits, allowing cardholders to choose the one that best aligns with their lifestyle and financial needs.
| AMERICAN EXPRESS GREEN CARD | BLUE CASH PREFERRED CARD | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
| APR | See terms for Pay Over Time eligibility and program details | 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers requested in the first 60 days, then a variable APR of 18.99% to 29.99%. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 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 | Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership |
| 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 | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit |
| Foreign transaction fees | None | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. |
| Other benefits | Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit annually, which helps you move through security faster at certain airports. Enrollment is required | Receive a $7 monthly statement credit after using your card to spend $12.99 or more on the Disney Bundle subscription, up to $84 annually. Enrollment is required |
Amex® Green Card offers elevated rewards on travel-related expenses and allows you to redeem points for travel bookings or transfers to various travel partners. It’s a great fit for frequent travelers seeking free flights and hotel stays. Additionally, it provides a CLEAR statement credit benefit, which is advantageous for those who travel frequently.
On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred Card focuses on earning cash back as statement credits, catering to consumers who prefer simplicity. Although it may offer lesser value for travel redemptions, it allows straightforward redemption for statement credits where $1 in rewards equals $1 off the account balance, without the need to seek optimization or deals.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card also provides introductory APR periods for both purchases and balance transfers, making it suitable for financing significant purchases or consolidating debt from other credit cards.
On the contrary, the Amex® Green Card boasts a more generous welcome bonus, making it an attractive option for consumers who don’t carry a balance and want to accumulate points quickly.
American Express Green Card vs. Blue Cash Preferred: Travel coverage and purchase protection
| | AMERICAN EXPRESS GREEN CARD | BLUE CASH PREFERRED CARD |
|---|---|---|
| Airport security benefits | Up to $189 CLEAR Plus statement credit annually, which helps you move through security faster at certain airports. Enrollment is required. | N/A |
| Lounge access | Up to $100 annual statement credit for LoungeBuddy lounge access. Enrollment is required. | N/A |
| Baggage insurance | Baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on items and up to $500 for checked baggage¹ | N/A |
| Trip delay insurance | Receive up to $300 per trip if your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours ² | N/A |
| Car rental insurance | Secondary car rental insurance for damage and theft to eligible vehicles in a covered territory³ | Secondary car rental insurance for damage or theft when you rent an eligible vehicle in a covered territory⁴ |
| Emergency assistance | Receive 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services when traveling more than 100 miles from home⁴ | Receive 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services when traveling more than 100 miles from home⁵ |
Amex® Green Card: The Traveler’s Delight
The Amex® Green Card is a top choice for frequent travelers. It offers a generous rewards program, with cardholders earning 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants and 3 points per $1 on various travel expenses, including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services. Even other purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent. The travel category encompasses a wide range of expenses, such as airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and purchases from third-party travel websites and amextravel.com. Additionally, the transit category covers various modes of transportation like trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
Enhancing Your Travel Experience
The Green from Amex goes beyond rewards by offering valuable perks to ease your travel experience. Cardholders enjoy an annual up to $189 statement credit for CLEAR Plus, a service that streamlines the identity verification process at select airports’ security checkpoints. Moreover, an annual up to $100 statement credit for LoungeBuddy lounge passes adds an extra touch of comfort during layovers and delays.
Travel Protections You Can Rely On
Safety and security are paramount during travel, and the Amex® Green Card provides a range of essential travel protections. These include trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, and secondary car rental insurance. Plus, if you ever find yourself more than 100 miles away from home, rest assured knowing that 24/7 emergency assistance is just a phone call away.
Blue Cash Preferred Card: Different Benefits for Everyday Spending
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is an attractive choice for those seeking rewards on everyday purchases. While it doesn’t offer bonus rewards on travel expenses like airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, or rental cars, it excels in other areas. Cardholders benefit from solid cash-back rates on transit and gas spending, making it an appealing option for those who frequently commute or drive.
Additional Perks for Peace of Mind
Aside from its cash-back rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card offers some essential travel benefits. These include 24/7 emergency assistance and secondary car rental insurance, which can provide added reassurance during trips.
Remember, choosing the right credit card depends on your spending habits and travel preferences, so consider the features that align with your needs before making a decision.
Who should choose the American Express Green Card?
The Amex® Green Card is a travel card that offers excellent benefits without a high annual fee. It provides elevated rewards for spending on eligible travel, transit, and restaurants. These rewards come in the form of Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to nearly two dozen airline and hotel partners or used to book travel through Amex.
In addition to earning rewards, the card comes with various perks to enhance your travel experience. These include a $189 statement credit for CLEAR Plus, up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit, baggage insurance, and 24/7 emergency assistance. With these features, your trips can become more convenient and worry-free.
Who should choose the Blue Cash Preferred?
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is an excellent option for individuals who spend heavily on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and frequently commute by either car or public transit. The card offers generous cash-back rewards in these categories, making it a rewarding choice for everyday expenses. Additionally, it provides introductory APR periods, making it a useful tool for financing significant purchases or transferring debt from high-interest credit cards.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that the card comes with a foreign transaction fee, which might not be ideal for those who frequently travel abroad. Furthermore, the rewards earned with this card cannot be transferred to Amex’s airline and hotel partners, which might not make it the best choice for someone seeking a travel rewards card.
Which card should you get?
Card selection depends on your specific preferences and needs. If you’re inclined towards travel rewards and added perks, the Amex® Green Card could be your ideal choice. With valuable rewards tailored for travel and zero foreign transaction fees, it’s an excellent option.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in earning cash-back rewards on everyday expenses, such as groceries and streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred is the way to go. Additionally, it offers a 0% intro APR, which can be advantageous for those looking to save on interest.
Considering a different approach, you might even consider owning both cards to leverage their distinct spending categories, welcome bonuses, and perks. However, bear in mind that managing two cards comes with dual annual fees, so evaluate whether the rewards outweigh the effort involved in juggling them.
