Are you in the market for a new credit card that offers both rewards on everyday spending and travel purchases? Look no further than the Amex Gold and Green credit cards. In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison of these two cards to help you make an informed decision.
How the cards stack up
Both the Amex Green and Gold cards have the same APR rates and neither charges a foreign transaction fee. However, they do offer different welcome bonuses, rewards, and perks. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from each card:
| Amex Green Card | Amex Gold Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards | – 3x Membership Rewards Points on: – Restaurant purchases (including delivery and takeout) – Transit (including buses, subway, trains, and ferries) – Travel purchases. – 1x Membership Rewards Points on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. | – 4x Membership Rewards Points on: – Restaurant purchases (including delivery and takeout) – Grocery purchases (limited to $25,000 annually). – 3x Membership Rewards Points on: – Airfare booked with AmexTravel.com. – 1X Membership Rewards on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. |
| Additional perks | – Annual $189 CLEAR Credit – $100 LoungeBuddy Credit – Free two-day shipping with ShopRunner – Purchase protections and extended warranties – Trip delay insurance – Baggage insurance coverage – Car rental loss and damage insurance – Emergency global travel assistance – Exclusive access to American Express Experiences – Terms Apply. | – Monthly statement credit of up to $10 for dining purchases through Grubhub at eligible Shake Shack locations, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and Goldbelly – $10 of Uber Cash each month for Uber rides or Uber Eats – $100 experience credit to use when you stay at a hotel for two or more nights and book through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel – Baggage insurance coverage – Car rental and loss damage insurance – Emergency global travel assistance – Exclusive access to American Express Experiences – Preferred access to select events – Terms Apply. |
Welcome bonus
The Amex Gold Card offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in the first six months. On the other hand, the Amex Green Card does not offer the same level of bonus points. If you don’t think you can meet the spending requirement of $4,000, the Amex Green Card might be a better option for you.
Rewards
When it comes to earning rewards, the Amex Gold Card allows you to earn more points on restaurant and grocery purchases. Additionally, you’ll earn three points for every dollar spent on airfare booked through AmexTravel.com. The Amex Gold Card is our top pick because it offers rewards on both travel and everyday purchases, and you can earn more points on individual purchases.
Annual fee
Both cards come with an annual fee that grants you access to cash-back rewards and perks. The Amex Green Card has an annual fee of [annual_fees], while the Amex Gold Card has an annual fee of [annual_fees]. Although the Amex Green Card is cheaper, you should consider your typical expenditures to determine if the extra $100 for the Amex Gold Card could save you money in the long run.
APR and foreign transaction fee
Both the Amex Green and Gold cards offer the same APR range, and neither charges a foreign transaction fee. If you’re a frequent international traveler, either of these cards could save you money on fees.
Additional perks
Both cards offer various travel and purchase protections, rental car coverage, and exclusive access to American Express Experiences. However, the Amex Green Card offers statement credits for CLEAR, lounge access, and other benefits, while the Amex Gold Card provides statement credits for dining purchases through Grubhub, Uber Cash, and more. The choice between the two cards depends on your travel and spending habits.
Which card earns the most?
To better understand the earning potential of both cards, let’s consider how much you would earn if you spent $500 in each rewards category. Keep in mind that this chart does not consider rewards earned on flights booked through AmexTravel.com.
| Amex Green Card | Amex Gold Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
| Transit | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
| Travel | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
| Grocery | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
| Airfare | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
| Other purchases | [Green Card] | [Gold Card] |
You can determine if the extra $100 per year for the Amex Gold Card is worth it by estimating how much you would spend in each category.
Our recommendations
Based on our analysis, we recommend the Amex Gold Card due to its higher welcome bonus and greater earning potential. If you spend a significant amount on dining out and groceries, the Amex Gold Card is the better choice. However, if you’re a frequent flier who dines out often or won’t be able to meet the spending requirement for the welcome bonus, the Amex Green Card might be a better fit for you.
The bottom line is that the Amex Gold Card offers more value to cardholders, but you should consider your specific needs and spending habits when making a decision.
For more information on the Amex Gold Card, you can visit the Personal Finances Blog.