Is the Amex Green Card worth its annual fee?

Generally, when credit cards undergo modifications, these changes usually involve an annual fee.

However, this isn’t true for the American Express® Green Card. Despite several updates in recent years, its affordable $150 annual fee (refer to rates and fees) has stayed consistent.

So, what do you receive for that $150? Let’s explore the card's perks to help you determine if it deserves a spot in your wallet.

The information regarding the Amex Green Card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The details of the card presented on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

Introductory offer

At present, new Amex Green cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first six months. TPG's July 2024 valuations value Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $800.

When you're ready to use your Membership Rewards points, you have various options, including cashing out your points (which isn't the best value) or redeeming them with hotel and airline partners (can offer significant value, depending on the partner).

Great ways to spend Membership Rewards points include domestic flights on Delta Air Lines, flights to South America with LATAM, and flights to Japan on Virgin Atlantic through ANA redemptions.

Clear Plus membership

Clear is a security service designed to help you move quickly through airport and sporting event security checkpoints by using biometrics to verify your identity.

The membership fee is $189 per year, which can be fully reimbursed if you pay for your Clear Plus membership with your Amex Green card (subject to auto-renewal). There’s no prior enrollment needed with Amex to access this benefit, but you must register with Clear Plus and complete your enrollment to utilize Clear security lanes at more venues and airports.

Additionally, select holders of Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus cobranded credit cards can obtain a Clear Plus membership for a reduced fee of $149. Since your annual benefit cap on the Amex Green Card is $189, this is sufficient to cover the reduced fee and part of the cost for adding a family member.

If you don't currently have a Clear Plus membership, this benefit alone will easily justify the $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).

LoungeBuddy benefits

LoungeBuddy is a network of over 200 lounges globally. You can reserve a lounge visit ahead of time, which is a fantastic way to avoid long waits at crowded lounges.

Pay for LoungeBuddy visits with your Amex Green, and you’ll receive up to $100 in statement credits to help cover these expenses each calendar year (this benefit will be removed effective Jan. 13, 2025). No prior enrollment with Amex is needed for this benefit, but you do need to sign up for a LoungeBuddy membership.

Although this feature doesn't offer the complimentary unlimited access provided by a Priority Pass Select membership available with other credit cards, it’s a fantastic way to explore airport lounges before deciding on a card with a higher annual fee that comes with more extensive benefits.

Earning structure

One of the standout aspects of the Amex Green Card is its earning potential.

Cardmembers earn 3 points for every dollar spent at restaurants globally, 3 points per dollar on takeout and delivery services in the U.S., 3 points per dollar on transit (which includes trains, buses, ferries, and subways), 3 points per dollar on travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

With extensive travel and transit categories, this is among the top cards for travel expenses and dining costs. Given that TPG values Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, this translates to an effective 6% return on your spending for travel, commuting, and dining.

Although the Amex Green Card offers fewer points at restaurants compared to the 4 points per dollar (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) provided by the American Express® Gold Card, and doesn't offer bonus points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, 1 point per dollar thereafter) like the Gold Card does, it significantly outperforms in earning rates for commuting and travel.

Extra perks

Cardmembers can also take advantage of Amex Offers, which can deliver rebates or bonus points on future purchases through targeted promotions.

The card is equipped with built-in shopping and travel protections, offering both reassurance and security during unforeseen events at home and overseas.

Conclusion

While the Amex Green's cardmember benefits have enhanced in recent years, the annual fee has remained stable at a reasonable $150 (see rates and fees). If you can utilize the Clear Plus benefit and LoungeBuddy passes annually, you can easily offset the cost of the annual fee.

However, you may not take advantage of these perks if you already have another credit card that includes lounge access and/or a card that covers your Clear Plus membership. The key consideration then would be whether the earning structure of the Green Card yields sufficient additional Membership Rewards points each year to justify keeping the card.

Discover more in our comprehensive review of the Amex Green card.