Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?

The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?

Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?

The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?

Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?

The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?

Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) is better for everyday value, while the American Express Green Card ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

American Express Green Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

$150

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

40,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	American Express Green Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins in 3 of 5 categories. The American Express Green Card leads in 2.

Streaming

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr — that's $55 more than the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $55 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

The American Express Green Card offers lounge access. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the American Express Green Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express means losing:

The Bottom Line

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

The American Express Green Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the American Express Green Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?: The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or American Express Green Card?: The American Express Green Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?: Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Green Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Amex Platinum

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

American Express Green Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

American Express Green Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

$150

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

40,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	American Express Green Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins in 3 of 5 categories. The American Express Green Card leads in 2.

Streaming

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The American Express Green Card offers lounge access. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the American Express Green Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express means losing:

The Bottom Line

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

The American Express Green Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?: The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or American Express Green Card?: The American Express Green Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?: Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Green Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Amex Platinum

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

American Express Green Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

American Express Green Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

$150

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

40,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	American Express Green Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express wins in 3 of 5 categories. The American Express Green Card leads in 2.

Streaming

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X

Travel

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

American Express Green Card earns 3X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The American Express Green Card offers lounge access. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the American Express Green Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express means losing:

The Bottom Line

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

The American Express Green Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Express Green Card worth the higher annual fee?: The American Express Green Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or American Express Green Card?: The American Express Green Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express have that the American Express Green Card doesn't?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the American Express Green Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the American Express Green Card?: Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the American Express Green Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Green Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Amex Platinum

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

American Express Green Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide covers most everyday spending
+$189 CLEAR Plus credit more than offsets the $150 annual fee for CLEAR users
+$100 LoungeBuddy credit provides flexible airport lounge access
+No foreign transaction fees for international travel
+Made from reclaimed ocean plastic (environmentally friendly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−$150 annual fee is not waived first year
−No direct lounge network membership (LoungeBuddy is pay-per-use)
−CLEAR credit has limited value outside major airports
−Lower-tier welcome bonus compared to Gold or Platinum
−$35 authorized user fee adds up for multi-card households

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide covers most everyday spending
+$189 CLEAR Plus credit more than offsets the $150 annual fee for CLEAR users
+$100 LoungeBuddy credit provides flexible airport lounge access
+No foreign transaction fees for international travel
+Made from reclaimed ocean plastic (environmentally friendly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−$150 annual fee is not waived first year
−No direct lounge network membership (LoungeBuddy is pay-per-use)
−CLEAR credit has limited value outside major airports
−Lower-tier welcome bonus compared to Gold or Platinum
−$35 authorized user fee adds up for multi-card households

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide covers most everyday spending
+$189 CLEAR Plus credit more than offsets the $150 annual fee for CLEAR users
+$100 LoungeBuddy credit provides flexible airport lounge access
+No foreign transaction fees for international travel
+Made from reclaimed ocean plastic (environmentally friendly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−$150 annual fee is not waived first year
−No direct lounge network membership (LoungeBuddy is pay-per-use)
−CLEAR credit has limited value outside major airports
−Lower-tier welcome bonus compared to Gold or Platinum
−$35 authorized user fee adds up for multi-card households

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express Green Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express Green Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs American Express Green Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express Green Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

What You Give Up

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?