7 American Express Green Card Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Victoria M. Walker
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The American Express® Green Card** is a travel rewards card that strikes the perfect balance between everyday practicality and premium perks.
While it may not be flashy in the way some premium cards are (including other Amex cards), its simplicity is what makes it so appealing. The card delivers consistent value without requiring you to become a frequent flyer or luxury hotel guest through benefits such as travel statement credits, bonus American Express Membership Rewards® points in select categories and more.
Here are the seven Amex Green Card benefits you should know about, whether you’re considering applying for the card or already have it in your wallet.
**All information about the American Express® Green Card** has been collected independently by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for these products.
1. Welcome Offer for New Card Members
Right now, the Amex Green Card has a decent welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership..
When redeemed with Amex’s transfer partners, it can cover your travel right from the start.
2. Earn up to 3x Points
The Amex Green Card earns 3x points on three major categories:
- Dining at restaurants: While some cards only cover dining at U.S. restaurants, your Amex Green earns 3x points whether you’re getting currywurst in Berlin, ordering tacos in Los Angeles or picking up sushi in Tokyo. It also earns 3x points on U.S. takeout and delivery.
- Transit: This category includes everything from subways, buses, rideshares, tolls, ferries and even parking.
- Travel: Travel is another broad category that includes flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars and home-sharing bookings, such as Airbnb and VRBO.
You’ll earn 1x on other eligible purchases. The true value is in how broad and intuitive the 3x categories are. If you live in a city or travel even a few times a year, chances are you’ll earn most of your points at that higher rate without changing your habits.
3. CLEAR® Plus Credit
One of the standout perks is an up to $209 annual statement credit toward CLEAR Plus, the expedited identity verification program at dozens of airports and venues across the U.S.
This benefit alone justifies the card’s $150 annual fee if you fly more than once or twice a year and value the convenience of getting through airport security faster. It’s one of those perks that’s easy to ignore until you’re breezing past the TSA line during holiday travel.
4. Access to Amex’s Wide Range of Transfer Partners
Amex Membership Rewards partners with loyalty programs that cover all three major airline alliances (Oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam), as well as several hotel programs. Amex transfer partners include:
- Delta SkyMiles
- British Airways Club
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
When you pair the Amex Green with one of these loyalty programs, your points can be worth significantly more than 1 cent each.
You can also book directly through Amex Travel® and redeem points for flights, hotels and more.
5. Travel and Purchase Protections
While the Amex Green Card doesn’t come with the luxury-level perks of The Platinum Card® from American Express (an advertising partner), you still get access to a suite of underrated benefits:
- Trip delay insurance: If a round-trip paid for entirely with your Amex Green Card is delayed by more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed for certain expenses, up to $300 per trip.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: Secondary coverage when you decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver and pay for your rental with the card.
- Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 help when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home, including emergency coordination and translation services.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees
On top of the 3x points you can earn on restaurant and travel purchases, you also won’t be charged foreign transaction fees. This makes it a great card to keep in your wallet when you travel abroad.
7. More Options To Pay Over Time
Your Amex Green Card gives you three main options to pay your balance:
- Pay Over Time: For eligible charges, you can carry a balance (with interest), similar to a regular credit card.
- Plan It: Break up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee and no interest.
- Pay It: Use the mobile app to pay off small purchases under $100 right after they post.
This gives you flexibility if your cash flow fluctuates or if you like to break up big expenses into manageable chunks.
For the Trip Delay Insurance on the American Express® Green Card** Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance on the American Express® Green Card** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Global Assist Hotline on the American Express® Green Card** You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amex Green Card Benefits
Does the Amex Green Card have an annual fee?
Yes, the Amex Green has a $150 annual fee.
Is the Amex Green Card a travel card?
Yes, the Amex Green Card can be considered a travel card. You’ll earn bonus points on travel, and the card comes with some travel-specific perks, like a statement credit for CLEAR Plus and no foreign transaction fees.
Does the Amex Green Card offer airport lounge access?
No, the Amex Green Card does not include airport lounge access.
Does the Amex Green Card have foreign transaction fees?
No, the Amex Green Card does not have foreign transaction fees.
