Chase Freedom Unlimited 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 what makes the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) a compelling option for many travelers.

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• It offers a high rewards rate on a broad range of travel and dining purchases worldwide.
• Cardholders can transfer points to a wide variety of airline and hotel partners, offering flexible and potentially high-value redemption options.
• The card includes valuable statement credits for popular travel services that can enhance your travel experience.

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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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• Generous rewards on a wide array of travel and transit spending, plus restaurants worldwide.
• Annual statement credits for travel-related services like airport lounge access and expedited security screening.
• Flexible points that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, plus no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The annual fee is relatively high for a card that isn't in the premium category.
• Maximizing the value of your points can be complex, as some redemption options offer poor returns.
• The travel credits are for specific services that may not be useful to all travelers, and a key lounge access credit is being discontinued.

American Express® Green Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Amex Green, comes down to your personal spending habits and what you want to get out of your rewards.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is ideal for cash back seekers and everyday spenders who prefer a straightforward rewards structure without having to track rotating categories. It's particularly valuable for those who want to earn consistent rewards on all their purchases.
• American Express® Green Card: This card is best suited for frequent travelers who spend a significant amount on travel and dining. Its strength lies in offering rich rewards that can be maximized by transferring points to various airline and hotel partners.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: You can redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. The value is consistent and easy to understand, making it ideal for those who prefer simple redemptions.

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American Express® Green Card: Rewards are most valuable when transferred to one of Amex's many airline and hotel partners, offering frequent travelers the potential for high-value redemptions. You can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked through AmexTravel.com.

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Travel Perks

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• American Express® Green Card: This card is designed with the traveler in mind. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international spending. It also offers annual statement credits for CLEAR® Plus membership and LoungeBuddy airport lounge access to make your journey smoother. Terms apply for these benefits. You can book travel through AmexTravel.com, providing a centralized platform for your trip planning.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While a strong card for everyday rewards, its travel perks are more limited. The card includes a foreign transaction fee, which is a consideration for purchases made outside the U.S. It does not offer built-in benefits like lounge access or travel credits. However, you can still redeem points for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, providing data-driven recommendations to find the best fit for your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can use the Test Drive feature to simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual spending data.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public offer within three months of being approved for a card, Kudos will match it.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Financial tracking: Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score while receiving actionable insights.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value consistent rewards without the complexity of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also a great starting point for those new to credit card rewards or for existing Chase customers looking to pair it with a premium card to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points. Ultimately, this card suits anyone who wants solid cash back rates on dining and drugstore purchases, along with valuable purchase protections, all without paying an annual fee.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

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The American Express® Green Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who spend significantly on dining and transit and are willing to put in the effort to maximize rewards. This cardholder is someone who can take full advantage of its valuable transfer partners, turning Membership Rewards® points into high-value flights and hotel stays. Ultimately, it's designed for individuals comfortable with a $150 annual fee who will leverage the travel-related credits, like the one for a CLEAR Plus membership, to offset the cost (Terms apply).

Alternatives to Consider

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If our deep dive into the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. American Express® Green Card comparison shows that neither is right for you, let's explore a few other top-tier cards that could be a better fit.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer through your regular purchasing habits.
• Research the rewards ecosystem: Understand the card's transfer partners or redemption options to maximize the value of your points.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Be mindful of application restrictions, which can vary between issuers like Chase and American Express.
• Try different methods - Use different browsers or incognito mode, as available offers can sometimes vary.
• Time your application - Align your application with a planned large purchase to help meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.

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 Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the American Express® Green Card?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards simultaneously. Many people use them together to maximize rewards across different spending categories, leveraging each card's unique strengths.

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Is the American Express® Green Card a charge card or a credit card?

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The American Express® Green Card is a charge card, which traditionally requires you to pay your balance in full each month, but it includes a "Pay Over Time" feature that allows you to carry a balance with interest on eligible charges.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its straightforward cash back structure and no annual fee. The American Express® Green Card has an annual fee and a rewards program more focused on travel, which may be better for those with more experience.

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