American Express Green Card
Sustainable Rewards for Daily Travelers
Earn 3X on travel, transit, and dining with CLEAR Plus and LoungeBuddy statement credits that can offset your $150 fee
- Annual Fee
- $150
- Membership Rewards points · Welcome Bonus
- 40,000
- Top Rate
- 3X
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $150
- Authorized User Fee
- $35
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- $0
- Network
- Amex Green
- Rewards Currency
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Point Value (Transfer Estimate)
- 1.3–2 cpp (mid: 1.5)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
40,000
Membership Rewards points
$3,000
Spend Required
6 months
Time Period
Earning Rates
- 3X
Travel
3X on travel worldwide (flights, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals)
- 3X
Transit
Earn 3X points on transit including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- 3X
Dining
3X on dining worldwide (restaurants, takeout, delivery)
- 3X
Ridesharing
Earn 3X points on transit including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
Earning Scenarios
3X on $500 Flight = 1,500 Points Worth $33
Book a roundtrip flight for $500 with your Amex Green and earn 1,500 Membership Rewards points, worth approximately $33 toward your next trip to Europe or hotel redemption.
3X on $200 Monthly Transit = 600 Points
Spend $200 monthly on rideshare, trains, tolls, and parking with your Amex Green and earn 600 Membership Rewards points monthly, or 7,200 points annually.
3X on $500 Restaurant Spending = 1,500 Points
If you dine out 25 times monthly spending $20 each ($500 total), you earn 1,500 points monthly. Transfer these to airline partners for premium cabin redemptions.
1X on Everything Else Worldwide
All other purchases earn 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar, including groceries, shopping, utilities, and subscriptions.
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
3 perksGeneral Travel
Experiences
Lounge Access
Annual Credits & Statement Credits
1 creditsUp to
$100
in recurring credits (annual)
$100 LoungeBuddy credit
Get up to $100 in annual credits for day passes to eligible airport lounges worldwide through LoungeBuddy platform
$100
Annual
Insurance & Protections
7 protectionsZero liability protection on fraudulent charges
You're not responsible for unauthorized charges. Amex covers 100% of fraudulent transactions when reported promptly.
Car rental insurance up to $50,000 for theft or damage
$50,000
Secondary coverage for rental car damage or theft when you pay with your card and decline the rental company's CDW
Extended warranty adds 1 year to eligible purchases
$10,000
Automatically extends manufacturer warranties by 1 year for items with original warranties of 5 years or less
Baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on, $500 checked
$1,250
Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during common carrier travel when you book with your card
Purchase protection up to $1,000 per item for 90 days
$1,000
Coverage against damage or theft of eligible purchases for 90 days after purchase, up to $50,000 per year
Show all 7 protectionsShow fewer protections
Trip delay coverage up to $300 per trip after 12 hours
$300
Get reimbursed for meals, hotel, and essentials when your common carrier travel is delayed 12+ hours or requires overnight stay
Return protection up to $300 per item within 90 days
$300
Get refunded for eligible purchases (up to $300/item) if the merchant won't accept a return within 90 days
Dining Out
3x at restaurants
Membership Rewards
≈$4.50 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 1.5¢ per point
Annual fee: $150
Explore 5,512 New York restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 3x, once you join and link this card.
+$5
cash back, or ≈$5.50 as points
More on a $100 dinner
Program & Transfers
Membership Rewards
Membership Rewards rewards earned with this card can transfer to 20 loyalty partners.
Amex Membership Rewards offers one of the broadest transfer networks in the industry with 16 airline and 4 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, with most transfers estimated at 48 hours, makes Membership Rewards workable for short-notice premium cabin bookings.
Program Ratings
Transfer Partners (20)
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Airlines
(16)Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
View detailed transfer ratios
Airlines
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | 1-2 days | — | 0.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 3-5 days | — | 1.5 cpp | |
| 5:4 | 1-2 days | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| 5:4 | 1-2 days | — | 1 cpp | |
| 5:4 | 1-2 days | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 94% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 88% | 1.3 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 3-5 days | 81% | 1.3 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 81% | 1 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 81% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 75% | 1.2 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 75% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 75% | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 75% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 69% | 1.35 cpp |
Hotels
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:1 | 3-5 days | — | — | |
| 1:2 | 1-2 days | 63% | 0.4 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp |
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | economy | Europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | economy | Europe |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | economy | Europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | economy | South America |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | economy | United States |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | economy | Europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | business | Europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | economy | United States |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | economy | Central America |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | economy | United States |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | first | United States |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | economy | Central America |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | economy | United States |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | economy | Europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | economy | Asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | economy | Asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | business | South America |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | economy | Africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | economy | Asia |
| US to Mexico in Business on a Partner | 30,000 | business | Central America |
Showing top 20 of 45 sweet spots
Reviews & Analysis
Third-Party Rankings & Ratings
5 sourcesCategory Rankings (1 category)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide covers most everyday spending
- +CLEAR Plus statement credit helps offset 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)
- +Membership Rewards points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partners
- +Pay Over Time feature adds flexibility to charge card structure
- +Upgrade path to Amex Gold or Platinum within same points ecosystem
Cons
- -$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
- -No grocery bonus category like Amex Gold offers
- -Amex acceptance is more limited internationally than Visa or Mastercard
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Frequent travelers who value a CLEAR Plus statement credit
- Urban commuters who spend heavily on transit (3X on trains, rideshare, tolls, parking)
- Diners and travelers who want 3X across multiple everyday categories
- Those building Membership Rewards points for transfer to airline partners
- Eco-conscious consumers who appreciate the recycled ocean plastic card
Not Ideal For
- Those who do not use CLEAR Plus at airports (credit may go unused)
- Travelers seeking lounge network access rather than LoungeBuddy day passes
- People who prefer cash back over points
- Light spenders who cannot offset the $150 annual fee with credits
- Those who want Centurion Lounge or Priority Pass access
The Math: Is $150 Worth It?
First-year value includes $600 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$60
Annual Fee
-$150
Net Annual Value
-$90
Details & Terms
Application Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Amex Family | If you have received a signup bonus from a higher tiered card, you are ineligible to receive a bonus from a lower tiered card in that same card family |
| Amex 1/7 | Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card) |
| Amex Popup Jail | After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus |
Payment Terms
| Cash Advance APR | 26.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $35 |
FAQs
Can you cash out Amex Membership Rewards points?
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
Where is the best place to use American Express points?
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
Can I upgrade Amex Gold to Platinum?
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
How to avoid Amex Platinum annual fee?
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Can I use Amex points to upgrade to business class?
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Should you transfer points or book with the Amex Travel portal?
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
How do I transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to airlines?
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
Are there fees when transferring Amex points?
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Can you pool or share Amex points?
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
Media & Resources
Video Reviews
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Amex Green Card Review | What To Know About the American Express Card!
Amex Green Card REDEMPTION: Why I Got It AGAIN & You Should TOO
American Express Green Card Review (2026) The Most Underrated Amex Card?
American Express Green Card Honest Review (Is It Worth It in 2026?)
American Express Green Card Review 2025 | Worth It or Leave It?
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
American Express Green Card Review
U.S. News analysis of the Amex Green with pros, cons, and comparison to competitors
American Express Green Card review: A great choice for modern travelers and professionals
Comprehensive review covering rewards structure, credits, and welcome bonus for the Amex Green Card
American Express Green Card Review
Detailed review with WalletHub ratings, editor's analysis, and user reviews of the Amex Green
American Express Green Card insights
Credit Karma's overview of benefits, rewards, and who should apply for the Amex Green
American Express Green Card Review: Simple Rewards With No Fees Or Requirements
Canadian perspective on the Amex Green Card with focus on accessibility and Membership Rewards
American Express Green Card: Reasons to Get It
Analysis of key reasons to get the Amex Green Card with detailed benefit breakdown
Is the Amex Green Card annual fee worth it?
CNBC Select analysis on whether the $150 annual fee provides enough value
Benefits of the American Express Green Card
NerdWallet's guide to Amex Green benefits including travel protections and credits
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | — | American Express |
| NerdWallet | — | NerdWallet |
| American Express | American Express: Card name | |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Issuer Page | Issuer Page: Multiple card facts | |
| American Express | American Express |
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