If you’re into rewards credit cards, chances are you’ve come across the classic Amex Green card and ignored it. The card was never flashy, it didn’t offer big sign-up bonuses, travel perks or category bonuses worth writing about. It was the pre-filler Kylie Jenner of the Amex family.
All of that has changed because American Express has just introduced the revamped Amex Green card. In addition to new travel perks, expanded category bonuses and a slightly better sign-up bonus, the card is leaning into its “green” theme: It’s now made from reclaimed plastic (don’t say it, don’t say it…).
I’m all for fewer garbage islands floating in the pacific, but how does this card stack up in terms of card benefits? Below is a breakdown.
Higher welcome bonus for the new Amex Green Card
To kick things off, the Amex has increased the Green Card’s welcome bonus and spending requirement. Previously, the card offered 25,000 points after $1,000 spent in 3 months. Now, it earns 30,000 points after $2,000 spent in 3 months.
Spread across three months, the spending requirement is still going to be manageable for most people. Even if you’re not churning gift cards, charging all of your household spending to the card gets the job done.
Tip (HT to Rick): You can get a 45,000 point welcome bonus for this card by accessing the offer page using incognito mode. If you’re using Safari, go to file > New Private Window and type in the offer page URL to see higher sign-up bonus.
A higher annual fee
Previously, the annual fee on the Amex Green Card was $0 the first year, then $95 after. Now, the annual fee has increased to $150 per year. En exchange, the card is no longer charging foreign transaction fees and offering better category bonuses and additional perks.
New Amex Green Card perks
The new card offers a slew of impressive new perks, which are especially valuable for frequent travelers.
$100 Away credit
In the market for new luggage? The Amex Green card offers a $100 Away credit between Dec. 24 – Jan. 15. Considering Away bags start at $225 for a carry-on, this $100 credit can be pretty substantial in reducing the cost of a new bag.
$100 CLEAR + Lounge Buddy credit
The Amex Green card also offers $100 annual credits for CLEAR and LoungeBuddy membership.
CLEAR is a trusted traveler program that helps you skip past the long airport security lines. On a recent flight out of SFO, the TSA Precheck line was a mile long. Meanwhile, the CLEAR line was…well, clear.
With everyone getting TSA Precheck from credit cards nowadays, there are more reports of congestion in that line. CLEAR has yet to get to that level, though it does service just 60 airports, stadiums and venues around the country.
The $100 LoungeBuddy credit is great for those times when you either don’t have lounge access through a credit card or you want to visit a nicer lounge that isn’t covered as part of your card benefit.
Amex Green Card category bonuses
In addition to introducing new travel perks, the card improved its category bonuses. Previously, it earned 2x points on travel booked through Amex Travel.
Now, the card earns 3x on travel, transit and dining. No need to book directly with American Express. All other purchases continue to earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Is the Amex Green Card worth getting?
The new Amex Green card has substantially improved to keep up with competing credit cards. Nowadays, reward cardholders are looking for more opportunities to earn bonus rewards in frequent spending categories.
Cardholders also want more benefits to make their travel experiences just a little less stressful, and the increased focus on eco-friendliness is no doubt a positive step. This card has historically been ignored by rewards travelers looking for value, but now it’s finally a contender in that regard.
I’m seriously considering applying for this card, though I’m a little disappointed in the welcome bonus. With the card celebrating 50 years on the market, a 50,000 point sign-up bonus would have been nice. You can’t have it all, I guess.
What are your favorite features of the new Amex Green Card? Are you considering applying for this card?
Who do you think would win in a fight? Kylie Jenner or Marie Kondo?
Marie Kondo. She’s got her sh** together and no pop-able fillers.
Just cancelled the Delta Platinum. I was not using the companion pass as Delta is pricing their flights to high in $’s and points to fly out of my area cost effectively. All my flights in the last couple of years have been on AA, UA, and Allegiant from the SAV airport. DL is a fine airline, but not cost effective.
Once the Delta card was cancelled, I then used the link in incognito mode and got the 45K offer. Got approved 30 seconds later. I printed off all the offer pages just in case something went wonky during approval. Sure enough, after approval, their system started experiencing errors. I went to the Amex site from Chrome and they chat person said they DID see the card in my profile, but it was not showing on my side of things. They are expediting the card to me.
I will do the spend and see how many points are added. I will gladly pay the annual fee to get 45k membership reward points.
HT to Rick for this one. I owe him lunch at Jim and Nicks.
Congrats! At least this way you can still get your hands on Delta miles if you need them. I don’t know what Jim & Nicks is, but I’m sure Rick will be thrilled.
A little correction: card doesn’t earn 3 points on dining but rather just on restaurants and there is a big difference. With other cards (like chase or citi) you will earn bonus points at Cafes but not with Amex. In a nutshell Amex coding system for restaurants sucks and it is really hot or miss if you’ll get the points for dining / restaurants