Link: Apply now for the American Express® Green Card
The American Express® Green Card (review) is one of the most lucrative Amex cards for earning points. In this post I wanted to focus on the rewards structure of the card. First, let’s cover the very basics of this lucrative product.
The information and associated card details on this page for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
In this post:
Why you should apply for the Amex Green Card
The Amex Green Card has a $150 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and potentially offers quite a bit of value.
The card has a welcome offer where you can earn 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the first six months.
Beyond the excellent bonus, this is one of the best cards for earning Amex Membership Rewards points. It’s incredibly rewarding for spending, as it offers 3x points on dining, travel, and transit, all with no caps and no foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees). In terms of the rewards structure, this is Amex’s competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), as that card also offers 3x points on dining and travel.
On top of that, the Amex Green Card offers significant annual credits, which for many will help justify the annual fee. You can receive up to $100 in LoungeBuddy credits annually, and can also receive up to $199 in CLEAR Plus credits annually (Enrollment required).
The information and associated card details on this page for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Amex Green Card bonus categories explained
The primary reason you’ll want to pick up the Amex Green Card is because of its lucrative rewards structure, as this is probably the most well-rounded Amex card for everyday spending. Specifically, the card offers 3x points on travel, transit, and restaurants.
What all is included with those bonus categories? Let’s cover all the details. Let me note upfront that this card has no foreign transaction fees as well, and unless otherwise noted, these bonus categories apply for purchases globally.
What counts as travel on the Amex Green Card
The Amex Green Card offers 3x points on travel purchases, with no caps. The travel category on this card is really broad, and includes eligible purchases involving airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals, travel purchases on third party travel websites, and travel purchases on amextravel.com.
What counts as transit on the Amex Green Card
The Amex Green Card offers 3x points on transit purchases, with no caps. The transit category on this card is also broad, and includes eligible purchases involving trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
What counts as restaurants on the Amex Green Card
The Amex Green Card offers 3x points on restaurant purchases, with no caps. The restaurant category is defined a bit differently than the other ones. Rather than listing what is included, Amex instead lists what isn’t included.
Specifically, you may not earn 3x points on restaurants when they’re located within another establishment (like a restaurant inside a hotel), or for purchases made through third party food delivery services outside the United States.
However, you can expect that purchases at restaurants, cafes, fast food joints, and takeout and delivery in the United States, will generally qualify for 3x points. Ultimately it comes down to how an establishment chooses to categorize itself with its merchant code.
The information and associated card details on this page for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What about the Amex Green Card $200 travel & transit credit?
As part of the current welcome offer, the Amex Green Card is offering 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during the first six months, up to $200 back in the form of statement credits.
There aren’t any further restrictions to be aware of beyond the above. Any eligible travel or transit purchase would qualify for this credit. In other words, if you spend $1,000 on hotels or airfare or rideshares with the card, you’d receive the full $200 statement credit. It’s pretty straightforward.
Bottom line
The Amex Green Card can be worth getting for the bonus, then the annual fee can be easy to justify with the CLEAR and LoungeBuddy credits. However, the real reason you’ll want to keep this card is because of the rewards structure, as the card offers 3x points on travel, transit, and restaurants. This is one of the most rewarding Amex cards for spending.
What’s your take on the rewards structure of the Amex Green Card?
The information and associated card details on this page for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: American Express® Green Card (Rates & Fees).
I also wish to know why it says I am not eligible for welcome bonus, I never had this card before. My spouse tried it too, same message. Anything we are missing, Matt? Thanks!
Does airport parking qualify for 3X points? Do restraunts in other countries get the 3x points?
YMMV Parking sometimes it does, others it don't including off airport. Your second question: 3X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (pasted from my Amex card benefits page).
What are the bonus approval requirements? I tried to apply via P2's referral and was not eligible for the bonus. Over 800 credit score, high income, all I can think is too many Amex cards...though I only have 4 cards currently and 3 are contained.
Cobranded