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American Express^® Green Card vs. American Express^® Gold Card: Not All That Glitters Is Gold

The hefty annual fee on the Amex Gold Card might not be worth it, but the Amex Green Card is an excellent option for almost any traveler.

By Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®
and Harrison Pierce

Edited by Jess Ullrich

Updated Nov. 11, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

4.6

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
3X points at eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Up to $199 annually as a statement credit for CLEAR Plus
Up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit per year

4.9

Our view

The American Express^® Gold Card gets all the press, especially in light of its July 2024 update. However, the American Express^® Green Card deserves some of this attention, as it is more affordable, versatile, and useful for a wider audience.

For select diners, the statement credits offered by the Amex Gold will make it worthwhile. However, these credits can be difficult to redeem and might not be at restaurants where you normally dine. For instance, if you don’t already go to Dunkin’ or The Cheesecake Factory once a month, you might not use these credits. You shouldn’t start spending money at new merchants just to take advantage of some card benefits.

On the flip side, you could get a lot of value from having a CLEAR membership provided by the Amex Green, and the LoungeBuddy credits are enough to get you a few visits to an airport lounge each year. Even though the Amex Green earns fewer points per dollar on purchases, its bonus categories are much more extensive, which means you can probably earn more points throughout the year than with the Amex Gold.

All information about American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by FinanceBuzz.

How we evaluate products

Amex Green vs. Amex Gold

The Amex Gold is one of the most popular cards for foodies, while the Amex Green is an under-the-radar gem that most people miss out on. Here’s how they stack up.

	American Express^® Green Card	American Express^® Gold Card
FinanceBuzz star ratings	4.6 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
FinanceBuzz value calculation¹	Year one earnings $1,424 Year two earnings: $824	Year one earnings: $1,784 Year two earnings: $1,184
Annual fee	$150	$325
Welcome bonus	Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months months of card membership	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
Earning rate	3X points on eligible travel and transit purchases, and at eligible restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases	4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X on all other eligible purchases
Statement credits	Up to $199 annual statement credit for CLEAR Plus membership Up to $100 annual statement credits for airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy	Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 per month) for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders when you add your Gold card to the Uber app Up to $84 in annual Dunkin' credits Up to $100 in annual Resy credits Up to $120 in annual dining credits with participating partners such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and Five Guys Enrollment required in select benefits
Foreign transaction fee	None	None
Credit needed	Good, Excellent	Good, Excellent

When to go with the Amex Green Card

The American Express Green Card is an amazing choice for any traveler who wants valuable benefits at a fraction of the cost of a premium credit card. The Amex Green might be the best choice if:

You want to enroll in CLEAR
You want to keep an annual fee low
You want flexible lounge access

Travel benefits and earnings

The Amex Green focuses more on travel-related benefits than the Amex Gold. For instance, the Amex Green offers a statement credit of up to $199 each year to cover your CLEAR Plus membership and up to $100 in annual LoungeBuddy credits. If you already have a card that offers Priority Pass lounge access, the LoungeBuddy credit can help increase your options when traveling through airports that don’t have Priority Pass lounges.

Plus, the bonus earning categories on the Amex Green are focused on travel and transit, which can help you accumulate points quickly if you’re a frequent traveler. The Amex Green card is at the top of my list of cards I want to apply for for this reason.

Annual fee

The Amex Green has a $150 annual fee while the Amex Gold has a $325 annual fee. Comparing these numbers alone, the Amex Green is the clear winner because it costs less for card members.

However, it makes sense to dig a little deeper. If you can take advantage of the annual credits on both cards, both annual fees are more than made up for. Amex Green offers up to $299 in annual credits, while Amex Gold provides over $400 in annual credits. The eventual winner will depend on which card’s credits you’ll use more.

When to go with the Amex Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card was revamped earlier this year, giving cardholders more statement credits and increasing the annual fee. The Amex Gold Card could be right for you if:

You can actually utilize each statement credit
You spend heavily on dining purchases
You can earn the limited-time welcome offer

Dining benefits

If the Amex Green leans more toward travel benefits, the Amex Gold leans more toward dining benefits. It provides cardholders over $400 in total credits each year, most of which are doled out monthly. These credits include:

Up to $10 per month in Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders when you add your Gold card to the Uber app. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit
Up to $7 each month on purchases at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
Up to $50 semi-annually at U.S. Resy Restaurants
Up to $10 each month for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys

Plus, the Amex Gold earns 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X). It also earns 4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X). If you are a heavy spender on dining and grocery purchases, this can be a fantastic way to earn valuable Membership Rewards points for future travel.

While the statement credits can more than outweigh the annual fee, you have to ensure you’ll use them. For instance, as a full-time digital nomad who spends 11 months each year living outside of the U.S., I wouldn’t get the Amex Gold Card because of how heavily focused its benefits are on U.S. purchases. I can’t take advantage of any statement credits, and the bonus earnings on grocery purchases are for U.S. supermarkets.

A closer look at the welcome bonuses

There’s no question that the Amex Gold Card has a much better welcome offer, but it might not be the most fair comparison. The Amex Green hasn’t gotten a facelift in a few years, and the current welcome offer is the standard offer we’ve seen all year. Either way, the Amex Gold is the clear winner off the bonus alone.

New cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.

New cardholders of the Amex Green can earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. While the spending requirement is half that of the Amex Gold and much more accessible, you’ll receive fewer bonus points.

FAQs

Which is better, the Amex Green or Amex Gold?

The better card between the Amex Green or Gold depends on your spending habits and goals. If you frequently travel and want an enhanced airport experience, the Amex Green card offers plenty of travel benefits. If you want a travel card with a dining focus, the Amex Gold provides over $400 in annual credits and elevated earnings on purchases.

Can you upgrade from the Amex Green to the Amex Gold?

Yes, it’s possible to upgrade from the Amex Green to the Amex Gold. This can be done by contacting American Express or checking for an upgrade offer in your Amex online account. It’s often recommended to hold your Amex Green Card for a year before upgrading to an Amex Gold Card, though if you receive an upgrade offer from American Express before the year mark, you likely don’t have to wait.

What credit score do you need for the American Express Green Card?

You likely need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the American Express Green Card. Good credit scores typically start in the high 600s. A good FICO score typically ranges from 670-739. Excellent credit scores are above 740.

What credit score do you need for the American Express Gold Card?

Like the Amex Green, you’ll need a good-to-excellent credit score to increase your approval odds. On the FICO model, aim for at least a 670, though the higher your score, the better your chances.

Which is the easiest American Express card to get?

American Express doesn’t currently offer a card designed for those with poor credit to work on building their scores. However, cards like the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express might have easier approval odds because they are no-annual-fee cash back cards. For the best chances of approval, it’s still recommended to have at least a good credit score.

Bottom line

The best card for you between the Amex Green and Amex Gold depends on your spending habits and travel goals. Overall, the Amex Green might make sense if you want a travel-oriented card that can also earn you rewards on dining purchases. Likewise, the Amex Gold could make sense if you want a dining-oriented card that also has travel benefits and can earn you rewards on specific travel purchases.

Ultimately, I think the Amex Green is much more versatile and worthwhile for a wider group of people, while the Amex Gold can provide premium value for a select few consumers. I’m waiting to apply for the Amex Green to see if the welcome offer will increase in the next few months. Amex Membership Rewards are very valuable, so I am eager to start earning.

Big Rewards at Restaurants

American Express^® Gold Card

4.9

American Express^® Gold Card

Learn How to Apply

See rates and fees | Terms Apply

Current Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership

Annual Fee

$325

Rewards Rate

4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Card Details