Is the American Express Green Card worth the annual fee?
Usually, when credit card undergo changes, those changes come with higher annual fees.
However, that is not the case for American Express® Green Card. Although the card has undergone several updates in recent years, the reasonable annual fee of $150 remains 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.
Information about the Amex Green Card has been independently collected 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 subscribers can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
TPG January 2025 valuation pegs Membership Rewards Points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $800.
You have many options when you’re ready to redeem your Membership Rewards points, including Cash out your points (not the best value) or redeem with hotel and airline partners (can deliver incredible valuedepending on the partner).
Excellent use of membership rewards points includes domestic flights on Delta Air Lines, flights to South America with LATAM, and flights to Japan on Virgin Atlantic to redeem rewards with ANA.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Amex Membership Rewards
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Clear Plus statement credit
Airy is a security program that can help you get through airport and sporting event security checkpoints quickly by using biometrics to prove your identity.
Membership costs $199 per year, which you can get reimbursed in full by paying for your Clear Plus membership with an Amex Green card (subject to auto-renew).
There is no need to pre-register with Amex to use this benefit, but you will need to register with Clear Plus and complete your registration to use Clear Security Lanes at a growing number of locations and airports. Terms apply.
Better yet, choose Delta SkyMiles And United MileagePlus co-branded credit card holders Clear Plus membership can be obtained at a reduced price is $159. Since your maximum annual benefit on Amex Green is $199, that’s enough to cover this reduced price and some of the costs of adding a relative.
If you don’t already have a Clear Plus membership, this perk alone will offset the $150 annual cost.
Related: Why your family might want to buy Clear Plus before your next flight
Income ratio
One of Amex Green’s best features may be its earnings structure.
Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the US), 3 points per dollar on transit (including trains train, bus, ferry and subway), 3 points per dollar on travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
With extensive travel and transit categories, this is one of the Best card to buy travel And Food expenses. As of January 2025 of TPG valuation pegs Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, which is effectively 6% back on your travel spending, travel and food expenses.
While Amex Green earns less at restaurants than the 4 points per dollar (for the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) offered by the government. American Express® Gold Card and does not offer rewards points in the US supermarket (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, 1 point per dollar after that) Like Amex Gold, Amex Green offers much better earning rates on travel and tourism.
Related: Card Battle: Amex Gold vs. Amex Green
Additional benefits
Cardholders also have access Amex offersmay offer discounts or bonus points on your upcoming purchases through targeted promotions.
Tags are also built-in shopping And tourism protective measures can provide peace of mind and security when there are risks at home and abroad. Terms apply.
Related: Everything you need to know about credit card merchant offers
Bottom line
As cardholder benefits have improved on Amex Green over 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 may not be able to use these perks if you already have another credit card refund your Clear Plus membership fee. The question at that point will be whether the earning structure on the Amex Green provides enough additional Membership bonus points each year to make the card worthwhile.
Learn more: American Express green
Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get an Amex Green Card?
