American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements (2023)

6 Min Read |April 28, 2023

The American Express Green Card is available exclusively at Amex. Here’s how to get it – plus a rundown of its rewarding travel and dining benefits.

American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements (2)

At-A-Glance

The American Express Green Card is a rewarding card for travelers who want to maximize their points-earning potential and enjoy essential travel benefits.

But take note: The Card is now available exclusively at American Express.

Long before The American Express® Gold Card or The Platinum Card®, there was Green. For more than half a century, The American Express Green Card has been the card that practical travelers never left home without. And for good reason: Green from Amex offers essential rewards and benefits for those who savor experiences away from home – whether traveling with friends, trying out new restaurants, or taking a relaxing weekend to get away from it all.

(Video) NEW Benefits UPGRADE on the Amex Green Card


In recent years, potential Green from Amex Card Members could apply for the Card through a variety of affiliates. But right now the Card is available exclusively at Amex. Read on for an overview of its benefits, plus how to apply.


Terms apply to all offers and benefits listed below and all offers are subject to change.

How to Earn Membership Rewards® Points with The American Express Green Card

Green from Amex can help Card Members maximize their points with several practical points multipliers:

  • 3X points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout or delivery in the U.S.
  • 3X points on transit worldwide, from taxis and trains to tolls and beyond.
  • 3X points on travel purchases, including airfare, car rentals, hotels, and home shares.

Card Members will also get 1X points on all other eligible purchases.

How Green from Amex Helps Make Travel Stress-Free

Of course, points are only part of the picture. The American Express Green Card offers several essential travel perks to help make each trip better. For example, Card Members can enjoy a $189 CLEAR®credit – an annual statement credit that effectively covers up to $189 of a CLEAR Plus membership when charged to your American Express Green Card (Excluding any applicable taxes. Subject to auto-renewal).


What’s more, the annual $100 LoungeBuddy Credit can help make time spent in airports more comfortable. Card Members can earn up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year when using the American Express Green Card to purchase lounge access directly from LoungeBuddy, either through the LoungeBuddy website or LoungeBuddy app. LoungeBuddy is an airport lounge service that aims to provide any traveler with the ability to find, book, and enjoy premium airport lounges around the world – with no need for a lounge membership, premium credit card, or first-class ticket.


To top it off, when you use the Card outside of the United States Amex will not charge any foreign transaction fees.1However, there may be circumstances in which a merchant or ATM charges a fee on foreign transactions.

Pay Your Way with Green from Amex

Aside from rewards and perks, credit cardsare known and loved for their added flexibility when managing your budget. Green from Amex takes this flexibility to another level with no preset spending limit. Unlike a traditional card with a set credit limit, the amount you can spend on your Card adapts based on factors such as your credit history, purchase history, and payment history.


Green from Amex offers more flexible ways to pay your bill, too. Of course you can pay it in full each month – the ideal choice to avoid paying interest charges. But sometimes it’s better for your monthly budget to pay off an item over time. That’s why Card Members can use the Pay Over Time2 feature to carry a balance, with interest – as long as you pay your minimum payment each month.

How Does Pay Over Time Work?

When you make purchases, eligible charges are automatically placed in your Pay Over Time balance, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. Interest is charged at your standard APR from the date of charge, unless you pay your balance in full each month by the due date.1


Card Members can also use Plan It® to select eligible large purchases and split them into monthly payments with a fixed fee. With Plan It, you can create up to 10 active payment plans, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. Each plan is subject to a plan fee, which is a fixed finance charge that accrues each month the corresponding plan is active.1 For more on how Plan It works, read “Buy Now, Pay Later with Plan It® by American Express®.”


Finally, Card Members can pay off small purchase amounts – $100 or less – throughout the month with Pay It®. Pay It payments are deducted from your outstanding balance, making this option an easy way to keep your credit utilization ratio down. Pro tip: Making multiple credit card payments every month is a common practice followed by people aiming to get a perfect credit score.

What Are The American Express Green Card Requirements?

To get Green from Amex, you’ll have to apply directly through American Express. Application requirements are standard fare. For example, you’ll need to provide information such as your name, email address, date of birth, Social Security number, and income. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live in the United States. Potential Card Members should also be prepared to pay the Green Card’s $150 annual fee.1


Once all application requirements are fulfilled, you’ll get a decision as to whether you’re approved in as little as 30 seconds. If so, you’ll receive the Card in the mail within 7 to 10 days. And if you’re eligible, you’ll be invited to receive an instant card numberso you can start making online purchases or add your actual card number to your digital wallet before your Card arrives in the mail.


Wondering the credit requirements for the American Express Green Card? As with all lending products – credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc. – the higher your credit score, the more likely you’ll be approved. And while it’s still possible to be approved with a lower credit score, having a good or excellent score of at least 700 can boost your chance of success.

(Video) The American Express Green Card has a HUGE BONUS!!!

The Takeaway

Before Gold and Platinum there was Green, the original travel and dining Card from American Express. Long loved for its essential travel benefits, Green from Amex lives on as a popular Card for those who enjoy expanding their horizons and enjoying what life has to offer. With practical points multipliers, Card Members can get rewarded for doing the things they love, while essential travel benefits can help make every trip away from home even more enjoyable.

1For more on Rates and Fees for The American Express Green Card®, click here.

2For more on Offer and Benefit terms for The American Express Green Card®, click here.

American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements (4)

Megan Doyleis a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.

All Credit Intelcontent is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements (8)

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American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements (9)

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FAQs

American Express® Green Card Benefits and Requirements? ›

The Amex Green card requirements for approval include being at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number. Applicants must also have a physical U.S. address, enough income to make monthly minimum payments, and at least good credit (a credit score of 700+).

Is it hard to get approved for Amex green card? ›

To qualify for the Amex Green card, you'll need to have a good to excellent credit score (a FICO score of 670 or higher).

What is the limit on my Amex green card? ›

The American Express Green Card has no preset spending limit and cardholders can choose to pay in full, use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee (up to the Pay Over Time limit) or or carry a balance with interest on eligible charges.

What are the requirements to get approved for American Express? ›

American Express eligibility requirements:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A valid Social Security number is required. Or, if you don't have a credit history in the U.S. but you have a credit card or loan in certain countries, you might be able to get approved without a SSN.

What are the benefits of Amex Green? ›

Earn 20% Back on Eligible Travel and Transit

purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit. 20.99% to 28.99% variable APR on eligible charges.

Is Amex Green card better than gold? ›

Amex Gold vs.

Travel Benefits Winner: The Amex Green card is the winner for travel benefits since it includes credits toward airport lounges and expedited security. The Amex Green Card caters more to travelers and as such includes a few benefits that will improve your travel experience.

What is the easiest Amex card to get approved for? ›

Which Amex card is the easiest to get? The easiest Amex cards to get are ones with a lower minimum spending requirement for rewards, as well as a low annual fee or no annual fee. Examples include the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and the American Express Cash Magnet Card.

What is the lowest credit limit on American Express? ›

If the full balance due is not paid, the cardholder has to pay additional fees: interest on the balance due… which is very high (around 20%). Also, the CREDIT card has a limit, which is called the “credit limit”. At American Express, the minimum credit limit is $1,000.

Does Amex Green card have lounge access? ›

No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.

What is the black credit card with no limit? ›

There is no spending limit with the Amex Black Card. However, balances must be paid off in full every month.

What income is needed for American Express? ›

If you make nearly $100,000 a year and have good credit, you should have no issue getting approved. But, applicants with annual incomes as low as $40,000 have also been approved if they have a low debt-to-income ratio and pay their other credit cards in full every month.

What income do you need for an Amex? ›

However, you must fulfill the minimum annual income criteria for the American Express® credit card you are applying for. In general, you require a minimum income of Rs. 4.5 lakh or above if you are salaried, and Rs. 6 Lakh or above if you are self employed.

Can you get Amex with bad credit? ›

Although American Express doesn't specify any minimum credit score requirements, you'll need good credit (or better) to qualify, which means a FICO score of at least 670. A premium Amex card — say, the American Express Gold Card — likely requires a “very good” FICO score, somewhere in the range of 740 and above.

What type of card is Amex Green card? ›

American Express Green Card facts
American Express Green Card
Card TypeNo-fee credit card
Interest Rates
Regular/purchase APR20.99%
Cash advance APR21.99%
14 more rows
May 1, 2023

Should I upgrade from Amex green to gold? ›

The Amex Gold Card Is a Better Fit for You

If you've weighed the benefits of each card and decided that the bonus categories and perks of the Amex Gold card are a better fit for you, then it might make sense for you to upgrade your Amex Green card to the Amex Gold card.

What is the Amex Green 60k offer? ›

American Express® Green Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Can you upgrade Amex green to platinum? ›

Upgrading an Amex Green Card to another Platinum is a great strategy if you want to collect a lot of Platinum cards. After you upgrade your Green card, you can open another Green card to maintain access to the great bonus categories offered by the revamp card.

How do I upgrade my Amex Green card to gold? ›

If you want to upgrade or downgrade your Amex card, the next step to take is to call the issuer. Use the customer service number on the back of your credit card, and a representative will help. American Express also has a helpful online chat feature you can use to see about upgrading or downgrading your card.

How much is Amex Green card annual fee? ›

The Amex Green Card is a travel card with a $150 annual fee. Here are the best card member perks that can make it worthwhile. The American Express® Green Card is a good card for traveling and dining out, but it comes with a $150 annual fee.

What is the hardest Amex card to get? ›

The hardest Amex card to get is the Centurion® Card from American Express. Also known as the “Black Card,” this Amex card is hard to get because it is available by invitation only, and potential candidates are rumored to need an annual income of at least $1 million.

What FICO score does Amex use? ›

We believe everyone should know their credit score and have the tools to understand it better. That's why we're giving you VantageScore® 3.0 by TransUnion®, and the key factors that affect your score for free, even if you are not an American Express® Card Member.

Is Amex harder to get than visa? ›

Because Visa is offered by so many more card issuers than American Express, there are more types of Visa cards, so it's typically easier to get approved for a Visa card with a lower credit score than an American Express card.

Can I buy a car with my Amex Platinum? ›

Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express (another high credit limit card), or any other type of Amex members, can try using the American Express Auto Purchasing Program, which connects you to dealers who accept American Express and let you charge $2,000 or more toward a car purchase on your Amex card.

Can you buy a car with a credit card? ›

In general, car dealerships accept credit cards. You might even be able to use a card to buy a vehicle. However, it's more likely that the dealership will take a credit card for a down payment or a part of the down payment up to a certain amount. For you, using a credit card is a convenience or maybe a necessity.

Do you have to pay off American Express every month? ›

Unlike traditional credit cards, American Express cards do not have a regular APR or charge interest, as all balances must be paid in full each month.

Is Amex Green Card metal? ›

The card's fresh design was created in part to draw environmentally conscious consumers. Unlike many of the high-end rewards cards that are made of metal, Green from Amex is made from 70% reclaimed plastic collected from beaches, islands and coastal communities, in partnership with Parley for the Oceans.

How to get into Amex lounge for free? ›

Travelers with The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Centurion® Card from American Express receive complimentary access to any outpost within the Centurion Lounge network.

Which Amex gets you into airport lounges? ›

If you're a Platinum Card® from American Express cardholder, you get complimentary access to the Amex lounge networks on the day of your departure.

What card do billionaires use? ›

What Credit Card Do the Super Rich Use? The super rich use a variety of different credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.

What is the minimum income for a black card? ›

How much do you have to make to get Amex's black card? There aren't any income requirements per se, but you most likely need to be a high spender on your Amex cards. If you're in the ballpark of $250,000 to $500,000 in annual spending across all your open Amex cards, you may qualify for the Centurion card.

What credit card has the highest credit limit? ›

The cards with the highest overall credit limits, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, are points cards, so they win this category as well. A few well-heeled applicants will qualify for six-figure limits, but most will qualify for limits closer to the $5,000 to $10,000 minimum.

Will Amex verify my income? ›

What you should know about the American Express income verification process: If Amex does request proof of income, you'll receive a reference number either by mail or email. This number will give you access to the American Express income verification portal.

Does Amex ask for household income? ›

With Amex credit cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the application states that you can include “all income” available to you including “wages, retirement income, investments, rental properties, etc.” unless you are under the age of 21. In that case, you can only include your own income.

Why did I get denied for American Express? ›

The most common reason you'll be denied an Amex card even with great credit is that you're already at their limit. Specifically, American Express tends to restrict each cardholder to a maximum of four "lending products" (that means revolving credit lines, like credit cards) and up to 10 charge cards.

Do you need Social Security for Amex? ›

The two most popular card issuers for applicants without an SSN are American Express and Citibank. These issuers also both offer cards outside the U.S. and if you have an open account with either issuer in another country, your foreign credit activity will be considered.

Can you get an Amex without a job? ›

And while being unemployed won't necessarily bar you from getting a card, not having income could. The good news is that several types of non-wage income, like investment returns, child support, or Social Security payments might suffice.

Can I get an Amex if I'm unemployed? ›

Credit card issuers are more interested in your income than your job. They also look at your credit history, credit scores and existing debt. You can meet the income requirement even without a job by including on your application any income you have access to. Even if your income comes up short, rest easy.

Is Amex good for building credit? ›

American Express can help your credit score if you are the primary accountholder or an authorized user aged 18 or older on an American Express credit card or charge card account. For an Amex card to be good for your credit score, the account must be kept in good standing with on-time monthly bill payments.

What is the lowest credit score for Amex Gold Card? ›

Getting the Amex Gold Card isn't the easiest card to qualify for as you need good or excellent credit. That means having a minimum 670 FICO score and existing cards in good standing. Being an existing American Express cardholder can also make it easier to qualify.

Can I get an Amex with a 600 credit score? ›

The American Express credit score requirement is of at least 700, depending on the card. That means people with good to excellent credit are eligible to get approved for an American Express credit card.

Is Amex Green hard to get? ›

Your Amex Green card approval odds are best with a 700+ credit score. This means that you need at least good credit to get this card. You will also need and proof of a steady income.

Is it hard to get approved for Amex Green? ›

To qualify for the Amex Green card, you'll need to have a good to excellent credit score (a FICO score of 670 or higher).

How old is the Amex Green card? ›

American Express developed their first paper charge card in 1958, gold card in 1966, green card in 1969, platinum card in 1984, and centurion card in 1999.

Is Amex Gold better than Platinum? ›

Amex Platinum ultimately offers more value, though. For example, its benefits include airport lounge access, while the Amex Gold Card's perks do not. When it comes to ongoing rewards on purchases, Amex Platinum has a higher maximum earning rate and better travel rewards. But Amex Gold provides more everyday value.

Is the gold Amex better than the blue? ›

The American Express® Gold Card is the better card for people who spend a chunk of their budget at restaurants, too. Restaurant spending, which includes takeout and delivery, nets 4X points with the AmEx Gold; with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, dining earns just 1%.

What are the color levels of Amex cards? ›

You may have heard of Amex's main three “colors” of personal cards: the American Express® Green Card, the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

What is Amex Green Card best for? ›

With broad travel and transit categories, this is one of the best credit cards for travel purchases and dining expenses.

What is the Amex Green Card good for? ›

The American Express® Green Card's headline feature is its strong earnings of 3 points per dollar on travel and transit including flights, hotels, taxis, rideshare services, trains, parking and more, 3 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 ...

Is it hard to get approved for American Express Blue Card? ›

Yes, Amex Blue Cash Everyday is hard to get because applicants need to have a credit score of 700 or higher to be approved for the card. Unless your credit score is at least good and you have a lot of income, it will be difficult for you to get approved for this card.

Why didn't I get approved for an American Express card? ›

The most common reason you'll be denied an Amex card even with great credit is that you're already at their limit. Specifically, American Express tends to restrict each cardholder to a maximum of four "lending products" (that means revolving credit lines, like credit cards) and up to 10 charge cards.

Can I get an Amex card with a 650 credit score? ›

Although American Express doesn't specify any minimum credit score requirements, you'll need good credit (or better) to qualify, which means a FICO score of at least 670. A premium Amex card — say, the American Express Gold Card — likely requires a “very good” FICO score, somewhere in the range of 740 and above.

What income do you need for Amex Platinum? ›

Salary Needed for Amex Platinum Credit Card

If you make nearly $100,000 a year and have good credit, you should have no issue getting approved. But, applicants with annual incomes as low as $40,000 have also been approved if they have a low debt-to-income ratio and pay their other credit cards in full every month.

What are the disadvantages of American Express card? ›

Disadvantages of AmEx cards

One disadvantage of AmEx cards is that they charge both the seller and the buyer for processing a transaction. Since they do not rely on financial companies, such as Rupay, Mastercard or Visa, and have their own payment network, they charge additional fees on the transactions.

Why is American Express so special? ›

American Express is one of the leading card issuers in the United States. It's known for its top-notch customer service and some of the best rewards available. From ultra-elite business travel cards to everyday rewards, American Express has credit cards that are a good choice for many different types of cardholders.

Why don t most people take Amex? ›

The different fees often make or break a deal for a merchant. This is why many merchants, especially small businesses, don't accept American Express. American Express' interchange fee is just too high. Providers like Visa and Mastercard charge between 1.15% and 2.5%, while Amex charges merchants between 1.43% and 3.3%.

Does Amex verify income? ›

While American Express probably won't ask to verify your income, it's not a good idea to lie about your income on an application. In fact, providing false information on a credit card application is against federal law. Therefore, you're much better off being honest when applying for an American Express credit card.

How do I know if Amex will approve me? ›

Upon applying for a chosen Card, a soft inquiry will be made on an applicant's credit report and applicants will be told with 100% certainty if they are approved – without any impact to their credit score.

What if I get rejected by Amex? ›

If your Card application was declined, we realize this may not have been the outcome you had hoped for. Please call us at 1-800-567-1083 if you'd like us to review our decision. Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee we will change our decision.

How many Amex points is $4000? ›

The current welcome offer is: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Is Amex Green Card free? ›

The Amex Green Card is a travel card with a $150 annual fee. Here are the best card member perks that can make it worthwhile. The American Express® Green Card is a good card for traveling and dining out, but it comes with a $150 annual fee.

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