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As a travel and credit card rewards writer, I have a long list of cards I’d like to apply for in the future. However, I am also a digital nomad, spending the vast majority of my time outside of the U.S. This means I am less focused on cards whose benefits are highly U.S.-specific. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) has a fantastic value proposition if you can take full advantage of its benefits. Being abroad means I can’t utilize the majority of the statement credits, so the $695 annual fee simply isn’t worth paying.
The only American Express card I hold is the co-branded Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees). However, this card earns Delta SkyMiles, which are good, but I’d like to also have the option to earn American Express Membership Rewards® since they are highly flexible with strong redemption rates. So, I’m in the market for an American Express card. The strongest contender is the American Express® Green Card*, which offers many benefits for a modest $150 annual fee. Here’s why I want to open the American Express Green Card this year.
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All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor
Earning Membership Rewards Points
Cardholders of the Amex Green Card earn 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 point per dollar on other purchases. Although I have other cards that might give me more points per dollar on flights and hotels, the Amex Green would give me an additional point per dollar on vacation rentals and tours. Similarly, transit includes trains, taxis, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways. I love taking public transport whenever possible, so I will take full advantage of being able to earn three points per dollar on those purchases.
The only downside in earning is that takeout and delivery purchases only qualify for bonus points within the U.S. With my current spending, I believe I can earn more than enough points to justify the annual fee and meet any potential welcome offer.
Other Valuable Cardholder Benefits
One of the main reasons I want the Amex Green, besides the opportunity to earn Membership Rewards, is the $189 CLEAR® Plus credit. I have Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck® benefits, but I am not a member of CLEAR, so this perk alone covers the entire annual fee.
Additionally, cardholders receive up to a $100 LoungeBuddy credit each year. In the event I am flying and cannot access a Priority Pass or Premium Plaza Lounge, the LoungeBuddy credit could allow me to enjoy lounge access without incurring an additional cost.
Redeeming Membership Rewards Points
You can often get more value from your points or miles when transferring them to a transfer partner. American Express has over a dozen airline partners and three hotel partners. Although you can technically redeem points for purchases, gift cards or booking travel through the travel portal, I don’t typically use my points this way, as I want to get maximum value and stretch them as far as possible.
Airline transfer partners, along with the transfer ratio:
- Aer Lingus 1:1
- Aeromexico 1:1.6
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue 1:1
- ANA Mileage Club 1:1
- Avianca LifeMiles 1:1
- British Airways Executive Club 1:1
- Cathay Pacific 1:1
- Delta SkyMiles 1:1
- Emirates Skywards 1:1
- Etihad Guest 1:1
- HawaiianMiles 1:1
- Iberia Plus 1:1
- JetBlue TrueBlue 1.25:1
- Qantas Frequent Flyer 1:1
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club 1:1
- Singapore KrisFlyer 1:1
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1
The airline partners are perfect for both domestic and international travel. Some of these partners are exclusive to American Express, making them even more beneficial to travelers and one of the best ways to use your Amex points.
Hotel transfer partners, along with the transfer ratio:
- Hilton Honors 1:2
- Marriott Bonvoy 1:1
- Choice Privileges 1:1
How the Green Card Stacks Up Against Other American Express Cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Luxury Travelers
There’s no question that The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) is one of the most preeminent premium credit cards on the market. If you take full advantage of the various statement credits and other benefits, you can get more than $1,500 in value out of your card. The perks are endless but are tailored to a specific consumer. I would not utilize most of these benefits, and the bonus earning categories are solely on flights and hotels, which I have with other cards.
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's Website
4.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On American Express's Website
5X Reward Rate
Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directlyRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$695
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score
Good,Excellent(700 - 749)
Editorial Review
The Platinum Card is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of luxury travel benefits and Platinum Concierge service. In the right hands, the classic status card’s staggering annual fee is well justified.
Pros & Cons
- High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
- Multiple credits can help justify the fee
- Comprehensive airport lounge access
- Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment
- Very high annual fee
- Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
- Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card
Card Details
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peaco*ck, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
The American Express® Gold Card: Best for Dining
The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) can provide a ton of benefits to the right kind of traveler. You can earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. The card also comes with multiple monthly or annual statement credits to help offset the $250 annual fee. However, these credits are for purchases made in the U.S., so read the terms and conditions before deciding which card to apply for.
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American Express® Gold Card
On American Express's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On American Express's Website
Up to 4X Reward Rate
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points atRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 points
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score
Excellent/Good(700 - 749)
Editorial Review
Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card to the hilt, earning up to 4x points. The annual fee may seem intimidating, but by using the included benefits and doing some spending, it’s easy to come out ahead.
Pros & Cons
- High rewards earnings possibilities
- Points transfer option to many partners
- Add up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee
- Can choose from regular or rose gold versions
- No lounge benefits
- Limited options to carry a balance
- High APR for pay over time feature
- High pay over time penalty APR
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, I’m opting for the Green Card over the Gold or the Platinum because it provides much more utility for me as someone living outside of the U.S. for long stretches. I feel that it fits nicely in my points and miles strategy and combines well with the other cards I have in my wallet. However, right now the welcome offer on the Green Card is 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Last year, the card saw a welcome offer of 60,000 Membership Rewards points, so I will likely wait for a similar offer to maximize my earnings.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.
