All information about the American Express Green Card® has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The American Express® Gold Card and the American Express Green Card are both best used to earn rewards to put toward flights. Though they’re a little pricier than other rewards credit cards with respective $325 (see rates and fees) and $150 annual fees, the Gold Card’s premium makes sense given that it doubles as a grocery card.

Despite the price, the Gold Card will be the best option for most cardholders because of its superior rewards program, welcome offer and other perks. Both cards dole out Membership Rewards points, which can make redeeming rewards trickier than classic cash-back credit cards, so both of these cards are best for frequent travelers. But there’s more to consider when deciding which one is ultimately right for you.

Annual fees

These cards are both slightly pricier than your average rewards credit card. They aren’t quite in the $400-plus category of premium cards, but $150 (Green Card) and $325 (Gold Card) are both significantly more than the closest competing travel credit cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card which come in at $95 annually. 

As always, you’ll want to make sure the rewards and perks will make the cost of the annual fee worth your while. Alternatively, you can apply for credit cards with no annual fee. 

Welcome offers

The Gold Card has a higher welcome offer. However, the Green Card’s welcome offer requires a lower spending threshold, requiring you to spend only $3,000 in eligible purchases on your card in the first six months of card membership -- a full $3,000 less than the Gold Card’s $6,000 minimum spend requirement for the same timeframe.

Consider your normal spending habits to ensure you’ll be able to reach the welcome offer. If you can easily spend $6,000 or more in six months, the Gold Card’s welcome offer will be more valuable. But if you think you’ll struggle to reach that spending threshold through your normal spending, you may be better off getting the Green Card.

Also consider how you would redeem the welcome offer to get the best value. American Express values Membership Rewards points redeemed for flights booked through Amex Travel at 1 cent per point, and for statement credits at 0.6 cent per point. So 60,000 Membership Rewards points would be worth $600 if redeemed for flights through American Express Travel, but would only be worth $360 if redeemed for a statement credit.

Rewards

The Gold earns more rewards on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, while the Green earns more rewards on transit and some travel purchases. Transit includes trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways. If you commute a lot, the Green Card’s rewards programs may make more sense to you. Otherwise, the Gold covers more basic rewards categories.

Remember that the same redemption rates apply for Amex’s Membership Rewards points: You’ll get a value of 1 cent per point if you redeem your rewards for flights through American Express Travel, but significantly less for most other redemption options.

Annual credits

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.

This one is trickier to determine. For the Green credits, CLEAR® Plus is less popular than TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and single-use passes through LoungeBuddy typically cost $40 to $50. If you regularly purchase one-day lounge passes and value CLEAR® Plus membership, the Green Card offers good credit value, but we think the dining credit and Uber Cash will do more good for the broadest group of people. 

Travel perks

Both cards offer car rental loss and damage insurance**, lost baggage insurance**, trip delay insurance** and a 24/7 global assist hotline. The Gold Card also grants access to the Hotel Collection -- a curated list of hotels which you can reserve through AmEx. If you stay at least two nights at a Hotel Collection property, you receive up to a $100 experience credit with the Gold Card for qualifying spa, dining, or resort activities (experience credit varies by property).

FAQs

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.

*All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

**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.