American Categorical Inexperienced Card overview
The American Categorical® Inexperienced Card is suited to trendy vacationers. It earns bonus factors on journey, transit and eating at eating places and gives precious assertion credit that assist offset its annual charge. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card score relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
Till I wrote this evaluate, I would by no means actually thought of the Amex Inexperienced. As I discovered about this card, I spotted it is a surprisingly sturdy mid-tier journey card for anybody who prioritizes journey, dines out ceaselessly and incurs journey prices.
It has an annual charge of $150, and TPG recommends candidates have a credit score rating of 670 or greater to have the most effective likelihood of getting authorized.
Should you can make the most of the Clear Plus assertion credit score, the cardboard can simply be a worthwhile addition to a traveler’s pockets. Let’s take a more in-depth look to see if it may also be a superb match for you.
The knowledge for the American Categorical Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: What’s Clear airport safety — and is it value it?
Amex Inexperienced professionals and cons
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Amex Inexperienced welcome provide
New Amex Inexperienced cardmembers can earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Based mostly on TPG’s June 2025 valuation of Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents every, the welcome provide is value $800 — a strong worth proposition.
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The historic excessive for this card’s welcome provide (not accessible) is 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months. This provide additionally included 20% again on eligible journey and transit purchases within the first six months (as much as $200 again).
You is probably not eligible for Amex Inexperienced’s welcome provide if you happen to maintain or beforehand held sure higher-tier American Categorical playing cards, together with The Platinum Card® from American Categorical and the American Categorical® Gold Card.
Fortunately, Amex will let you know whether or not you are eligible for the Amex Inexperienced’s welcome provide earlier than you submit your utility.
Associated: The most effective American Categorical bank cards
Amex Inexperienced advantages
Strong earnings and advantages make the Amex Inexperienced a severe competitor if you happen to’re in search of a mid-tier journey rewards card.
$199 Clear Plus annual assertion credit score
One good thing about the Amex Inexperienced card I have never seen on many different playing cards is an as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score every calendar 12 months. With Clear, your eyes and fingertips will help you get by means of safety quicker at choose airports and stadiums nationwide.
For the reason that regular price for this membership is $199 per 12 months, this assertion credit score covers the complete annual price. Nonetheless, take into account that on July 1, the price of Clear Plus went as much as $209. Enrollment required; topic to auto-renewal.
Associated: Clear is newest TSA PreCheck enrollment supplier
Journey and procuring protections
The Amex Inexperienced gives prolonged guarantee** and buy safety** if you buy eligible gadgets along with your card. These protections can prevent severe cash if one thing goes mistaken with a current buy.
You will even be protected if you’re on the highway. The Amex Inexperienced gives a baggage insurance coverage plan** and secondary automotive rental loss and harm insurance coverage***, with the choice to improve to main protection by means of Amex’s Premium Automotive Rental Safety.
**Eligibility and profit ranges range by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all car sorts or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by means of American Categorical Journey Associated Companies Firm, Inc.
Associated: The whole lot it is advisable to learn about American Categorical buy safety
Incomes factors on the Amex Inexperienced
The Amex Inexperienced earns:
- 3 factors per greenback spent on eating at eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.)
- 3 factors per greenback spent on journey and transit
- 1 level per greenback spent on different purchases
Based mostly on TPG’s June 2025 valuation of Amex Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents every, you may get an approximate 6% return on spending within the prime two classes and a couple of% on the whole lot else.
It is vital to notice that these classes are broad. For instance, “journey” contains airfare, lodges, excursions, campgrounds and trip leases, whereas “transit” contains trains, taxicabs, ride-hailing companies, ferries and tolls.
A lot of your spending might fall inside these classes, relying in your life-style.
Associated: Getting began with factors, miles and bank cards to journey
Redeeming factors on the Amex Inexperienced
The Amex Inexperienced supplies Membership Rewards factors, which might be redeemed in a number of methods.
Other than journey, choices embody assertion credit for current, eligible purchases, procuring on Amazon and procuring with Membership Rewards. Nonetheless, these choices present much less worth than redeeming your factors for journey.
Utilizing your factors on Amazon gives poor worth, at solely 0.7 cents per level; redeeming factors to cowl eligible fees will get you 0.6 cents per level; and procuring with Membership Rewards is the worst possibility, offering a meager 0.5 cents per level.
On condition that TPG’s June 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards factors at 2 cents per level, redeeming your factors for journey is by far your best option. The simplest technique to get at the very least 2 cents per level is through the use of Amex’s switch companions.
Associated: Learn how to redeem American Categorical Membership Rewards factors
Transferring factors on the Amex Inexperienced
The Membership Rewards factors you earn with the Amex Inexperienced might be transferred to 21 journey companions: 18 airways and three lodges. Noteworthy switch companions embody Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles and Singapore Airways KrisFlyer.
Some glorious candy spots embody one-way business-class flights to Europe and stays at taking part Most popular Resorts and Resorts worldwide with Alternative Resorts factors.
TPG bank cards author Chris Nelson frequently transfers factors to Avianca LifeMiles and has gotten transatlantic flights to Europe for as little as 17,000 factors in financial system class. Avianca LifeMiles has loads of nice redemptions with Star Alliance companions, making it an particularly precious switch companion.
Associated: Bank card switch bonuses working this month
Which playing cards compete with the Amex Inexperienced?
The Amex Inexperienced is a aggressive mid-tier card with sturdy incomes charges and helpful advantages, however different issuers have some comparable choices:
For extra choices, try our checklist of the most effective starter journey playing cards.
Associated: Amex Inexperienced Card vs. Chase Sapphire Most popular: Which card is best for you?
Backside line
The Amex Inexperienced’s assertion credit can greater than offset the $150 annual charge, making this card a compelling possibility for younger professionals and others who allocate a lot of their price range towards journey, eating and commuting.
Should you’ll use the annual Clear Plus assertion credit score and may maximize the broadly outlined bonus classes, the Amex Inexperienced is a card to noticeably take into account including to your pockets.
Associated: Is the Amex Inexperienced Card definitely worth the annual charge?
