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Amex Green vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The American Express® Green Card is best for earning high rewards on travel, transit, and dining worldwide.
- The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is ideal for earning flexible rewards on travel and dining, plus a solid rate on all other purchases.
American Express® Green Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at the features that make the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) a top choice for travel rewards.
- You'll earn an accelerated rewards rate on a broad category of travel expenses and at restaurants around the globe.
- Valuable travel credits can help make your airport experience smoother and more comfortable (Terms Apply).
- Membership Rewards® points offer great flexibility, with the option to transfer them to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs.
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.
Pros
- Generous rewards on a broad range of travel purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
- Flexible points that can be transferred to a long list of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Valuable travel perks like statement credits for expedited airport screening and no foreign transaction fees (Terms Apply).
Cons
- A relatively high annual fee for a mid-tier travel card.
- Maximizing rewards requires effort, and some redemption options offer poor value.
- Travel credits are for specific services that may not appeal to all travelers.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of the key features and benefits that make the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card a standout option.
- Its rewards program is refreshingly simple, offering flexible redemption options with a consistent value for every point you earn.
- Cardholders receive valuable annual statement credits that cover common travel expenses like airline incidentals and security screening program fees.
- The card becomes exceptionally rewarding for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who receive a substantial boost on all points earned.
Pros
- A substantial welcome offer and annual credits for airline incidentals provide significant value from the start.
- Earns bonus points on broad travel and dining categories, with a high flat rate on all other purchases.
- Offers simple, fixed-value redemptions and provides a significant rewards boost for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.
Cons
- The rewards program lacks flexibility, as points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners.
- It does not include premium travel perks like airport lounge access, which are common on competing cards.
- Maximum reward value is reserved for existing Bank of America customers, making the card less competitive for others.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs American Express® Green Card
Categories
To determine which is better, Amex Green or Bank of America Premium Rewards, it's important to look at what type of spender and traveler you are. Each card caters to a different user profile, offering distinct advantages depending on your financial habits.
- American Express® Green Card is a mid-tier travel and dining card best suited for those who want to earn high rewards on those categories and can maximize value by transferring points to airline and hotel partners. Terms apply.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is ideal for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who prefer straightforward rewards. It's especially valuable for existing Bank of America customers who can earn more points through the Preferred Rewards program.
Redemption
American Express® Green Card: Points can be redeemed for travel through the American Express portal, but their value is often maximized by transferring them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. Terms apply.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers straightforward redemption options, allowing you to use your points for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Green Card: The travel ecosystem is built around flexibility. Cardmembers can book travel through the American Express portal or maximize value by transferring points to various airline and hotel partners. It includes an annual credit for LoungeBuddy to purchase lounge access (terms apply) and has no foreign transaction fees.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card’s ecosystem is more direct. It offers a travel portal through the Bank of America Travel Center and has no foreign transaction fees. While it doesn't provide airport lounge access, its travel benefits are centered on credits, such as an annual airline incidental statement credit and a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a deeper dive, a tool like Kudos lets you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: The platform's "Test Drive" feature uses your real spending data to show you exactly how much a new card could earn you before you apply. This is based on your actual transaction history, not hypotheticals.
- Approval odds: Registered users can get a detailed analysis of their approval odds based on their credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better welcome offer if you find one within three months of approval.
- Kudos Boost: You can earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?
The American Express® Green Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and diners who want to maximize rewards on their everyday spending. This card is geared toward individuals who can take full advantage of the 3X points categories, which include broad definitions of travel, transit, and restaurant purchases worldwide. It's best suited for those willing to put in the effort to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for high-value redemptions and utilize the card's annual travel credits. Terms apply.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders seeking strong rewards without a hefty annual fee. It is especially rewarding for customers who already bank or invest with Bank of America, as they can qualify for a 25% to 75% rewards bonus through the Preferred Rewards program. The card also suits those who prefer simplicity, since points can be redeemed for cash back or statement credits at a fixed rate.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Amex Green vs. Bank of America Premium Rewards comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit, don't worry—we have a few other excellent travel cards to consider.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score, as most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
- Know the rewards system, whether it involves transfer partners or fixed-value redemptions, to align with your goals.
Application Strategy
- Try multiple methods if one doesn't work, such as applying directly with the issuer.
- Leverage existing relationships, as some issuers like Bank of America may favor current customers.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
Our Methodology
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.
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
What credit score is recommended for the Amex Green and Bank of America Premium Rewards cards?
Both cards are typically aimed at consumers with good to excellent credit, generally a FICO score of 690 or higher. However, issuers consider multiple factors beyond just your credit score when reviewing an application.
Can I hold both the American Express® Green Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card?
Yes, you can absolutely have both cards in your wallet. Many people use them to complement each other, leveraging the unique benefits and earning structures of each to maximize their rewards across different spending categories.
Which card is a better choice for someone new to travel rewards?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is often considered more straightforward for beginners due to its simple cash back-style rewards and flexible redemption options. The American Express® Green Card's value is more dependent on utilizing travel partners, which can have a steeper learning curve.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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