American Express Green Card review

At a glance

• Sensible welcome offer
• Dining, transit, and travel rewards
• Points for all purchases
• Travel credits
• $150 annual fee applies
• No foreign transaction fee
• Extra security protections apply

Overview

The American Express Green Card starts off strong, offering the ability to earn points over a longer period than most other cards. If you spend $2,000 within your first six months of having the card, you can earn 45,000 Membership Rewards Points. There are regular rewards, too, which include 3x the points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery. There are 3x the points on transit, as well, rewarding you not only for those taxi rides but also your subway, train, and ferry trips. Extended travel is included, as well, with 3x the points on airfare, hotels, cruises, and car rentals. All other purchases earn 1x the points. 

That is far from all because true to form, American Express is very generous with its benefits. Skip the headaches of security with a $100 annual credit for CLEAR® and up to $100 on LoungeBuddy purchases with trip delay insurance up to $300 per trip. Your luggage is accompanied by the Baggage Insurance Plan, offering coverage for up to $1,250 for your carry-on baggage. If you rent a car on your trip, there is car rental loss and damage insurance for added peace of mind. 

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card. However, there is an annual fee of $150, which is a very reasonable amount for American Express, given that some of their card fees surpass $500. 

Pros:

• Excellent for travel
• No foreign transaction fee
• Low annual fee

Cons:

• Average rewards
• It lacks some of the perks other Amex cards offer