The American Express Green Card has long been popular among frequent travelers and dining enthusiasts. Though not as flashy as its exclusive siblings like the Platinum and Centurion cards, the Amex Green Card packs a surprising punch with its benefits.
For a modest $150 annual fee, Green Card holders enjoy perks that enhance everything from airport lounge access to rental cars and shopping protections.
Here, we will take a closer look at the benefits of the Amex Green Card, making it a top contender for your wallet.
1. Welcome Offer
One of the first perks new Amex green cardholders can take advantage of is the welcome offer. As an incentive to sign up, American Express currently offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
This welcome offer alone can offset a significant portion of the $150 annual fee right from the start. 60,000 Amex points are valued at approximately $300 - $600 depending on how they are redeemed, making it a lucrative initial deal.
Welcome offer also includes %20 back on travel and transit purchases in the first 6 months. This gives you plenty of points to get started redeeming for airfare, hotels, statement credits, gift cards, and more.
2. Reward Points
Beyond the initial signup bonus, the American Express Green Card earns valuable Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases.
Cardholders earn 3x points on travel and transit spending, 3x at restaurants worldwide, and 1x on everything else. This makes it an excellent card for racking up points quickly on some of the most common purchase categories.
Frequent travelers can earn triples points on flights, hotels, taxis, trains, and more. You can earn these three points after spending $1.
The Membership Rewards program offers flexibility, too - points can be redeemed for statement credits, merchandise, gift cards, or transferred to airline/hotel partners.
3. CLEAR Plus Membership Credit
One unique perk of the Amex Green is up to $189 in annual statement credits towards a CLEAR membership. CLEAR is the expedited airport security program that allows members to cut to the front of security lines biometrically.
Green Card holders can enroll in CLEAR Plus via their card benefits and receive up to $189 annually on the membership cost. This is a nice rebate that essentially makes the program free for Amex Green members.
With air travel delays and long security lines, CLEAR is a valuable time-saving service. The Amex Green perk provides easy access to this program which can make airport experiences much smoother. Between just 2-3 airport visits per year, Green Card members can quickly offset the annual fee and then some thanks to the CLEAR credit.
4. LoungeBuddy Credit
Lounge access is an invaluable airport perk for frequent travelers, and the Amex Green Card provides statement credits towards LoungeBuddy purchases.
Cardholders can enroll to receive up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year when booking lounge visits through LoungeBuddy. This gives Green Card members easy access to over 300 airport lounges in 50+ countries.
LoungeBuddy partners with all the major networks like Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Centurion Lounges, providing a one-stop lounge booking service. Between the cost of lounge visits and guest fees, it’s easy for Green Card members to utilize the full $100 credit annually.
5. No Foreign Transaction Fees
The American Express Green Card makes for an excellent travel companion abroad thanks to having no foreign transaction fees. This means no extra costs or penalties when making purchases internationally.
Many credit cards charge foreign transaction fees in the range of 3%, which quickly adds up on dining, hotels, tours, and shopping during international trips.
With the Green Card, cardholders can use it freely when traveling overseas without incurring these extra costs. This keeps costs low and earnings high since Amex Membership Rewards are frequently most valuable when redeemed for international airline ticket purchases.
6. Travel Protections
The Amex Green Card provides robust travel protections and insurance for cardholders' trips. Some key benefits include baggage insurance plans that reimburse for lost, damaged, or stolen bags up to $1,250 per person when flights are purchased with the card.
Trip delay protection reimburses essential purchases like meals and lodging when a delay exceeds 12 hours. It also includes $300 per trip for unexpected expenses like delayed flights.
The card also offers an auto rental collision damage waiver in most countries for rental periods of up to 30 days. From delayed bags to damaged rental cars, these protections provide peace of mind for Amex Green members.
7. Shopping Benefits
The Amex Green Card provides some excellent shopping and purchase benefits as well. Cardholders receive extended warranty protection on eligible items, adding up to one extra year on top of the original manufacturer's warranty.
For the first 90 days after purchase, items are also covered against accidental damage or theft with purchase protection. You will receive up to $1,000 as replacement coverage and $50,000 annually.
Green Card members can shop with confidence knowing purchases have extra coverage. There are also rental car privileges like primary rental car insurance, elite status, and special offers with select companies.
8. Flexible Payment Options
One last valuable feature of the Amex Green Card is the flexible payment options it provides cardholders. The card allows you to carry a balance on certain large purchases over time with various programs like Pay Over Time and Plan It.
This allows members to finance big expenses on their schedule and take advantage of 0% promo APR periods when available.
If needed, Green Card users can also access the Pay It Plan It tool for breaking purchases into monthly installments. For managing expenses and cash flow, the Green Card provides users with options to pay off balances over time rather than all at once.
Final Words
American Express Green Card provides a compelling package of rewards, perks, and protections that appeal to today's travelers and diners. With strong earning potential in categories like transit, restaurants, and travel, members can rack up points quickly to redeem toward flights, hotels, and more.
The Green Card deserves consideration for consumers wanting a well-rounded premium travel rewards card that provides an exceptional experience.
