The Green earns 3.0X on travel, 3.0X on dining, 1.0X on all_purchases with a $150 annual fee.
Our Verdict
The Green is a points rewards card from American Express that carries a $150/yr on the visa network. At its core it earns 1.0X Membership Rewards on everyday purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders who want predictable, consistent returns.
Points enthusiasts will find the most flexibility with the Green. Membership Rewards can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to loyalty partners. Cardholders who maximize transfer partners often extract 1.5–2+ cents per point, well above face value.
The $150/yr fee is the key variable — run the numbers against your actual spending. If the rewards and benefits offset the fee, this card earns its place in your wallet. If not, consider a comparable no-fee alternative.
Apply for the Green →Rewards Structure
Fee Analysis
The Green charges $150 per year. To justify this fee, you need to earn at least $150 in rewards and benefits annually.
Statement credits: $189 CLEAR Plus Credit ($189/yr), $100 LoungeBuddy Credit ($100/yr). These credits total $289/yr, bringing the effective annual fee down to $0.
Where This Card Earns Bonus Rewards
| Category | MCC Code | Bonus Rate | Example Merchants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 5812 Eating places and Restaurants | 3x | Acapulco Restaurant, Another Broken Egg, Applebee's, Applebee's - Albuquerque |
| Dining | 5813 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs and Discotheques | 3x | AMF Bowling Centers, Angry Orchard, Applebee's Bar, Bar Louie |
| Dining | 5814 Fast Food Restaurants | 3x | Arby's, Arby's - Albuquerque, Arby's - Anaheim, Arby's - Anchorage |
| Transit | 4111 Local/Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation – Railroads, Feries, Local Water Transportation. | 3x | AC Transit, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit, Albuquerque ABQ RIDE, Atlanta MARTA |
| Travel | 4112 Passenger Railways | 3x | Amtrak, Deutsche Bahn, Eurostar, Loco2 |
| Travel | 4121 Taxicabs and Limousines | 3x | Alto, Arro, Bolt, Cabify |
Click any MCC code or merchant name to see all cards that earn bonus rewards there.
Benefits
Effective Annual Fee
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- 3X top earn rate on bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $150 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
How to Apply
You can apply for the Green directly through American Express's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and requires your Social Security number, annual income, and housing payment information. Most applicants receive an instant decision. Note that the $150 annual fee is typically not charged until your first statement closes.
Before applying, check if you are pre-approved on American Express's website — a pre-approval uses a soft pull and does not affect your credit score.