Amex Gold vs Amex Green: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Green Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees).

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• You'll earn bonus points on a broad range of travel purchases and at restaurants around the world.

• Membership Rewards® points offer great flexibility, as they can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs.

• The card comes with valuable travel-related statement credits and perks that can make your journeys smoother and more affordable. Terms apply.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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Pros

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• Earns bonus points on a wide array of travel and dining purchases, and points can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.

• Offers valuable statement credits for travel services like expedited airport security and airport lounge access, plus travel protections like trip delay insurance. Terms apply.

• New cardmembers can earn a generous welcome offer, and the card provides payment flexibility options for large purchases. Terms apply.

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Cons

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• Carries a notable annual fee for a non-premium travel card.

• Maximizing rewards requires some strategy, as not all redemption options offer the same value.

• Some travel credits are for niche services you may not use, and a key lounge access benefit is being phased out. Terms apply.

American Express® Green Card vs American Express® Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Gold or Amex Green, depends on your spending habits and travel style. Both cards offer compelling rewards, but they cater to slightly different types of consumers.

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• American Express® Gold Card is best for frequent travelers seeking generous travel rewards. It is also an excellent choice for those who spend significantly on dining and at U.S. supermarkets.
• American Express® Green Card is best categorized as a travel and dining rewards card. It is a strong option for individuals who spend across a broad range of travel categories and at restaurants worldwide.

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Redemption

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American Express® Gold Card: The points you earn are highly flexible and can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. You can also redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, or statement credits.

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American Express® Green Card: Membership Rewards® points offer versatile redemption options, including booking travel directly through American Express Travel. Points can also be transferred to travel loyalty programs to maximize their value.

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Travel Perks

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• American Express® Gold Card: This card is a strong companion for travelers, offering no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can take advantage of an annual airline fee credit and a dining credit that can be used at select establishments. While it doesn't offer direct lounge access, the miles earned can be redeemed for travel through the American Express Travel portal or transferred to airline partners. Terms Apply.
• American Express® Green Card: Designed for the modern traveler, this card also comes with no foreign transaction fees. Its key travel perks include an annual credit for an expedited airport security screening program and a separate credit for purchasing airport lounge access through a partner network. Like the Gold card, miles can be redeemed via the American Express Travel portal or transferred to partners. Terms Apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a data-driven approach, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.

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• Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending history with the “Test Drive” feature, all before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your real spending patterns, not generic advice.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at partner stores with Kudos Boost.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for foodies and frequent travelers who want to earn premium rewards on their everyday spending. Cardholders can capitalize on benefits like earning 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X), plus 3X points on flights. With up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash for U.S. rides or eats, it's ideal for consumers who can maximize these perks to offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

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The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for frequent travelers and diners who want to earn strong rewards across a wide variety of spending categories. It’s particularly well-suited for cardholders who enjoy the challenge of maximizing value by transferring points to airline and hotel partners and using the available travel credits. While it requires some effort to get the most out of its perks, the card offers excellent versatility for those who can leverage its 3X rewards on travel and dining. Terms apply.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Gold vs Amex Green comparison has left you undecided, you're not out of options. Several other excellent cards offer strong rewards on travel and dining that might be a better fit for your spending habits.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Approval for premium cards often requires good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the spend requirement for the Welcome Offer.
• Research the benefits – Know how you'll use the card's credits and transfer partners to maximize value.

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Application Strategy

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• Use the right channel - Apply through a trusted source to access the best available Welcome Offer.
• Time your application - Align your application with a planned large purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
• Activate your benefits - Remember to enroll in any required card benefits after approval to maximize value.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I have both the Amex Gold and Amex Green cards?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both the American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Green Card simultaneously. This strategy can help you maximize rewards across the different spending categories each card prioritizes.

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Are the Amex Gold and Green cards good for beginners?

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Both cards can provide excellent value, but they are often better for cardholders who can fully utilize their specific benefits. Evaluating your spending habits is key to determining if either card is a good starting point for you.

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How do I choose between the Amex Gold and Green card?

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To decide, analyze your personal spending habits, particularly on dining, groceries, travel, and transit. The right card is the one whose rewards structure and benefits best match your lifestyle and how you spend your money.

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