AmEx Green Card Annual Fee: Is it Worth It?

American Express offers considerable rewards and bonuses through its Gold and Platinum Credit Cards, but those usually come with considerable annual fees. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Amex Green Card could be the perfect fit for you. It offers a lower annual fee while maintaining a competitive rewards program. A Green Card can be an excellent alternative for those who don’t need the extensive benefits of premium cards.

Keep reading to discover when the Green Card is enough and when it might be worth it to explore premium options.

Value of Amex Green Card Benefits

The Amex Green Card annual fee is $150, which is half the cost of the Gold Card and nearly five times cheaper than the Platinum Card, which is available at $325 and $695, respectively. At the same time, the Green Card offers similar, though more modest, bonuses.

You can expect a substantial welcome bonus, easy credit, some travel perks, discounts at partner networks, and some additional points multipliers.

Let’s take a closer look at what a Green Card can offer you.

Welcome Bonus

If you spend around $500 monthly on purchases, travel, or dining, you can earn a welcome bonus of up to 40,000 points. In other words, you can get an additional $280–400 to offset your expenses (at a rate of 0.7–1 cent per dollar spent). Since the Membership Rewards ratio is dynamic, the reimbursement amount can theoretically become even higher. The only condition is to spend at least $3,000 within the first six months of using a Green Card.

Additionally, new members (statement required) can benefit from a special offer that provides up to $200 in reimbursements for expenses incurred with specific travel service providers.

Clear Plus Credit

The Clear Plus membership allows for faster processing through security procedures at airports and stadiums. Membership guarantees up to $189 in reimbursement and automatically upgrades your account status to premium. This is one of the more significant advantages of an Amex Green Card.

LoungeBuddy Credits

In exchange for subscribing to the quite reasonable  American Express Green Card annual fee, you’ll get access to luxury services, including premium airport lounges that have agreements with Amex. You can receive up to $100 in reimbursement for a LoungeBuddy membership, turning your travel into a comfortable transit experience with amenities such as relaxation zones, food courts, tax-free shops, and more.

Rewards

It’s not just Gold and Platinum cards that have a high-quality reward system. The Green Card, though somewhat toned down compared to the premium options, still offers a lot of value. You can get:

• 3 points per dollar spent on certain partner networks like hotels, airlines, car rentals, tours, and more;
• 3 points per dollar at most restaurants worldwide;
• 1 point per dollar on any other purchases.

Travel Insurance

One final benefit worth mentioning is travel insurance. This feature includes secondary protection for incidents such as rental car damage, flight delays, lost carry-on baggage, and more. It guarantees compensation for a range of unforeseen and unpleasant situations, which is always welcome when you need it.

When the Amex Green Card Is Not Worth the Annual Fee

The Amex Green Card fee is $150 annually. While the card offers many attractive bonuses, it still might not be worth the investment in some cases. Additional points are a benefit, but are you sure you will be earning them consistently enough with your current lifestyle? Let’s consider scenarios where you might want to look at some alternatives.

You Don’t Travel Often

All Amex cards that feature a Membership Reward program offer solid bonuses, but they’re especially beneficial for those who travel frequently and use services like airlines, hotels, and restaurants. If this doesn’t match your lifestyle, paying an extra $150 (Amex Green annual fee) a year for perks you rarely take advantage of might not be worth the investment.

You Need Better Opportunities and Offers

The American Express Green Card fee is justified, given the benefits it grants you. However, if you frequently travel or dine out and regularly use services within the Amex partner network, you may prefer a more extensive set of perks. In that case, a Gold or Platinum package could be a better fit for your needs.