AmEx Green Card Makes a Comeback with Unprecedented Welcome Bonus

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The American Express® Green Card is a premier travel rewards credit card, but in recent years, it has been somewhat eclipsed by its more glamorous counterparts: American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Nonetheless, during its time away from the limelight, this classic green card has been busy enhancing its offerings. Now, the American Express Green Card is set to reclaim its place in the spotlight.

The current American Express Green Card aligns perfectly with the preferences of today’s credit card users, offering substantial rewards on purchases, credits that effectively balance out the annual fee, and an attractive welcome bonus to enhance the initial sign-up offer. With a low annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees), this card promises three times the points compared to the Platinum Card in categories like travel (excluding airfare) and dining globally. Additionally, it offers some level of airport lounge access—a feature not found in popular alternatives like Chase Sapphire Preferred and Citi Premier—along with $100 in statement credits for one-time entry fees via partner Lounge Buddy.

Best of all, this card, which seldom offers a substantial sign-up bonus, now features one. In celebration of its relaunch and to regain its former glory, the Green Card has fully embraced the trend of modern welcome bonuses, providing an unprecedented 60,000 bonus points (after spending $3,000 within the first six months) along with 20 percent back on eligible travel and transit purchases, up to $200.

Here’s everything you need to know about the refreshed American Express Green Card.

An unprecedented introductory offer

At present, the American Express Green Card is attracting new cardholders with a record-setting two-part bonus. First, you can earn 60,000 AmEx Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the first six months of having the card. Second, you'll receive 20 percent back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the initial six months, up to $200 in statement credits. For context, previous offers for this card topped out at 45,000 points and did not include statement credits.

Once earned, AmEx points can be transferred to 17 airline partners—3 based in the U.S. and 14 internationally—as well as to 3 hotel partners. With a total of 20 transfer partners, the Membership Rewards program stands out as the top loyalty program for transferable points, surpassing Capital One Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou points. Notable partners include Delta SkyMiles, Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue, and Marriott Bonvoy, with a transfer ratio of 1:1. Hilton Honors points transfer at a rate of two Hilton Honors points for every Membership Reward point. This flexibility allows cardholders to accumulate points from everyday purchases and then convert them into points or miles with their chosen partner program for specific redemptions. Additionally, Amex points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or even cash back.

If you're an existing Amex cardholder and curious about the bonus eligibility, the answer is a resounding yes—you can still qualify for the generous Amex Green bonus. You are permitted to hold multiple different Amex cards, but not two of the same type. Therefore, as long as you don’t currently possess (or haven’t previously held) the Green card, you’re good to go.

Earnings potential

With the Green Card, you can accumulate points rapidly, as it offers triple points across various spending categories. Specifically, you earn three Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on:

• Airfare
• Hotels
• All other travel (including cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals)
• Transit purchases (including trains, taxis, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways)
• Restaurants around the globe (including takeout and delivery within the United States)

In comparison, the Platinum Card from American Express earns five points per dollar on airfare, but only one point per dollar on all other purchases. Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card awards three points per dollar on dining, but only two points per dollar on travel and most transit purchases made outside the Chase portal.

Credits

With the current welcome promotion, you can earn up to $200 back in statement credits by receiving a 20 percent refund on eligible travel and transit purchases made within the first six months. Additionally, you will receive two annual credits: one for a Clear membership and the other for LoungeBuddy, an app that allows you to access select airport lounges at 80 airports worldwide for a one-time fee. For Clear, you can receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when paying for your Clear Plus membership. For LoungeBuddy, simply download the app and link your Amex Green card to earn up to $100 in statement credits each year for lounge entry fees. (Each entry typically costs around $50, effectively covering two visits.) These two annual credits alone offset the $150 annual fee. Furthermore, as with all American Express cards, the Green Card provides access to Amex Offers, a continually updated selection of discounts and deals tailored to your location and spending habits. You can check your personalized offers in the American Express app or online after logging in.

While the Green Card’s annual credits may appear modest compared to the Platinum Card—which offers potential credits exceeding $2,000 across various categories like airline fees, entertainment, and Uber Cash—it's essential to note that the Platinum comes with a hefty annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees). Additionally, the Platinum card is ideal for those who are highly knowledgeable about credit cards and who travel frequently enough to take advantage of the regular lounge access it offers.

When you stack up the Green Card’s credits against other popular low-fee travel rewards cards, they seem quite attractive. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers just a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Ultimate Rewards, while the Citi Premier provides a $100 credit for a single prepaid hotel booking of $500 or more made through Citi ThankYou Travel.

Travel Insurance

If you’re looking for travel insurance in a credit card, the Green Card offers several built-in protections for travel expenses charged to it. These cover trip delays, lost luggage, and rental car insurance. However, it's important to note that this insurance package is not as comprehensive as what comes with the Platinum Amex and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards.

Key Takeaways

The newly revamped American Express Green Card is back with an unbeatable welcome bonus of 60,000 points along with $200 in statement credits. If you're after a fantastic travel credit card that offers excellent earning potential without the hefty annual fee of the Platinum Card, the Green Card is a great option!

While the offers detailed above are accurate as of the publication date, they are subject to change at any time and may have been modified or could no longer be available.