American Express Green Card Review: Is It Worth It?
If you want a card without an annual fee and want to earn rewards points with flexible redemption options, the American Express® Green Card may be a practical fit.
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Points on on eligible hotel bookings.
Points on eligible car rental bookings.
Point on all other eligible purchases.
An uncomplicated, no-fee entry point into Amex Membership Rewards. You earn a flat 1x on every dollar spent, and get baseline insurance — extended warranty and purchase protection — is included. That’s it, though. No travel insurance or bonus goodies, like car rental and fuel discounts, that are sometimes offered by no-fee competitors. Best for: People who want a simple, no-fee starter card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn bonus points through the Amex Travel Online portal.
Cons
- No accelerated earn rates on everyday spending categories.
- No travel insurance.
- Get the Card that lets you live in the moment while getting ready for the future.
- The American Express® Green Card lets you go for it with every swipe or tap of your Card.
- As a new American Express® Green Cardmember, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. That’s $100 towards groceries or concert tickets.
- Earn 1x the points on Card purchases.
- Charge an eligible purchase to your Card and redeem your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit (All eligible purchases: 1,000 points = $10 statement credit).
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
American Express Green Card full review
The American Express Green Card is a no-fee credit card that earns Membership Rewards points. Cardholders earn 1 point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases, making it a straightforward choice for earning rewards on everyday spending.
Individuals seeking a no-annual-fee credit card that earns Membership Rewards points will find the Amex Green Card appealing. Its straightforward rewards structure of 1 point per $1 spent makes it a practical choice for everyday spending.
No annual fee: A cost-effective way to earn rewards without worrying about annual charges.
Membership Rewards points: Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases.
Amex Experiences™ program: Enjoy exclusive perks and early access to special events and more.
Purchase protection and extended warranty: Provides added security for your purchases.
No accelerated earn rates: The card lacks bonus categories like groceries or gas, which can make it slower to accumulate points. However, cardholders can earn one bonus point per dollar spent when booking hotels or car rentals online through Amex Travel.
Limited insurance coverage: Does not include travel insurance, mobile device protection, or rental car coverage.
Is the American Express Green Card worth it?
The value of the Amex Green Card depends on your spending habits. You don’t need to worry about recouping the cost of an annual fee, but you’ll want to consider the card’s earn rates and rewards to make sure it’s a practical fit for your lifestyle.
American Express customer ratings
High customer satisfaction: American Express ranks first in customer satisfaction among credit card issuers, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
Poor Trustpilot rating: American Express Global has 1.4 out of 5 possible stars based on more than 4,800 customer reviews at the time of this writing.
Low Better Business Bureau rating: American Express 1.1 out of a possible 5 stars, according to more than 550 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau website, at the time of this writing.
Amex Green Card eligibility
Who qualifies for the American Express Green Card?
To qualify for the American Express Green Card, you must be:
A Canadian resident.
At least the age of majority for your province or territory.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for.
Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
American Express Canada now lets you check your eligibility for a personal card before you apply. You’ll get an instant decision through a soft credit check, with no impact to your credit score — a smart, easy way to apply with confidence.
American Express Green Card rewards
The Amex Green Card’s introductory offer includes up to 10,000 American Express Membership Rewards points when new cardholders spend at least $1,000 in their first three months of card membership (limited time offer, terms and conditions apply).
Earn one American Express Membership Rewards point for each $1 spent on eligible everyday purchases.
Plus, earn one additional Amex Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings booked through the Amex travel portal.
The total value of the Amex Green Card’s welcome offer depends on how you redeem the 10,000 points. Amex suggests it is worth $100, which is the minimum value when redeemed through statement credits.
However, you can squeeze more value from the card by redeeming your Membership Rewards points for travel or by transferring them to your preferred frequent flyer or loyalty program.
The American Express Green Card also has additional benefits that deliver value. For example, the card comes with valuable extended warranty and purchase protection insurance should you ever need it.
Point value breakdown
The value of an American Express Membership Rewards point varies on the redemption method you choose, but you can expect to get around 0.6 to 11.5 cents per point, according to NerdWallet analysis.
1.52 cents per point for hotel redemptions.
1.74 cents per point for business class air fare redemptions.
1.42 cents per point for economy class air fare redemptions.
1 cent per point for statement credits.
0.76 cents per point for gift cards.
0.65 cents per point for merchandise.
American Express Green Card vs American Express SimplyCash Card
If you are interested in a no-fee American Express credit card that earns rewards but favour cash back over points, you might consider the SimplyCash® Card from American Express. Here’s how it compares with the American Express Green Card.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on on eligible hotel bookings.
Points on eligible car rental bookings.
Point on all other eligible purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeAn uncomplicated, no-fee entry point into Amex Membership Rewards. You earn a flat 1x on every dollar spent, and get baseline insurance — extended warranty and purchase protection — is included. That’s it, though. No travel insurance or bonus goodies, like car rental and fuel discounts, that are sometimes offered by no-fee competitors. Best for: People who want a simple, no-fee starter card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn bonus points through the Amex Travel Online portal.
Cons
- No accelerated earn rates on everyday spending categories.
- No travel insurance.
Card details
Card details- Get the Card that lets you live in the moment while getting ready for the future.
- The American Express® Green Card lets you go for it with every swipe or tap of your Card.
- As a new American Express® Green Cardmember, you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. That’s $100 towards groceries or concert tickets.
- Earn 1x the points on Card purchases.
- Charge an eligible purchase to your Card and redeem your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit (All eligible purchases: 1,000 points = $10 statement credit).
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada.
Cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually).
Cash back on all other eligible purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThe most noticeable feature of the SimplyCash Card from American Express is the 1.25% cash-back base rate — higher than most cash-back cards in Canada. But the perks are fairly thin on the ground — travel accident insurance and access to Amex Offers and Experiences. Best for: Everyday spenders who want a simple cash-back card without the frills.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Travel accident insurance.
- High 1.25% cash-back base rate.
Cons
- Highest cash-back rate is just 2%.
- No travel perks outside of accident insurance.
Card details
Card details- In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.
- Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually), and 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- Insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
Reasons you might want a different card
The Amex Green Card earns American Express Membership Rewards Points and offers numerous perks — all without an annual fee. But there are a couple of circumstances where it won’t be a practical fit:
You’d prefer a card that delivers a higher rate of rewards on your most frequent expenses, like groceries, gas or travel.
You’d prefer a card with more robust insurance coverage.
You’d prefer to earn a different reward, like cash back or travel miles.
American Express Green Card facts
American Express Green Card | |
|---|---|
Card type | |
Interest rates | |
Regular/purchase APR | 21.99%. |
Cash advance APR | 21.99%. |
Penalty APR | 25.99% if you miss two payments within 12 months and 29.99% if you miss three payments within 12 months. This penalty APR will stay in place for 12 billing periods. |
Fees | |
Annual fee | $0.00 |
Balance transfer | N/A. |
Funds advance | $0 each. |
Foreign transaction | 2.5% of the transaction amount. |
Reward earn rates | |
Signup bonus or welcome offer | New cardholders can receive up to 10,000 American Express Membership Rewards points by spending at least $1,000 in their first three months of card membership (limited time offer, terms and conditions apply). |
Rewards and benefits | Cardholders earn one American Express Membership Rewards point for each $1 spent on eligible everyday purchases. Cardholders also earn one additional Amex Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on eligible hotel and car rental bookings booked through the Amex travel portal. |
Other perks | Amex Front Of The Line® Amex Presale and Reserved Tickets™: Skip the lineups and get reserved tickets to in-demand special events like concerts and theatre productions. Exclusive lounges and bars: Enjoy exclusive access to America Express lounges at Budweiser Stage and Rogers Stadium, plus other perks. Amex Offers: Get rewarded with in-app offers for dining, shopping and more. Transfer points: Transfer American Express rewards points to other loyalty programs, like Aeroplan, Avios and Marriott Bonvoy, for more redemption flexibility. |
Insurance coverage | |
Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPFrequently asked questions
Is Amex Green a charge card or a credit card?
The American Express Green Card is a credit card. Purchases are made using borrowed funds, and any balance unpaid by the billing date is charged interest.
How do I apply for the American Express Green Card?
You can complete the application for the American Express Green Card from the American Express website.
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