What the Card Offers
American Express markets the Green Card as a no-annual-fee way to earn Membership Rewards points: 1 point per dollar on everything, a welcome bonus, and transfers to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios and Marriott Bonvoy.
- $0
No annual fee1
No annual fee on the card, and no annual fee for supplementary cards.
- 1x
Points on everything1
1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 in eligible purchases, with no categories to track.
- 2x
Points on Amex Travel hotels & cars1
Hotel and car rental bookings made through the American Express Travel website earn 1 extra point per dollar.
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- 10,000
Welcome bonus points2
10,000 points after $1,000 in net purchases posts to your account in your first 3 months.
- 1:1
Transfers to Aeroplan and Avios1
1,000 points convert to 1,000 Aeroplan points or 1,000 Avios, and to 1,200 Marriott Bonvoy points.
- 2
Purchase coverages3
Extended warranty of up to one additional year, and 90 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (3)
- Green Card product page footnotes (retrieved 2026-10-12)
- Green Card product page footnotes (retrieved 2026-10-12); amount from Green Card product page, archived 2026-01-11 (Wayback Machine), confirmed by CardTruth editor
- Green Card Certificates of Insurance (eff. July 1, 2025)
Points & Redemption
Show 4 more options (hotel transfers, gift cards, shopping, travel)Show fewer
Rates: Membership Rewards Terms 50500074 (10/26), Appendix 2 — Redemption Rates by Reward. The CardTruth estimate is our own valuation, not a rate stated in the terms. It assumes the redemption described above; most other options return less. Ranges marked est. are CardTruth estimates, from a conservative redemption to a typical one.
The Fine Print Report
Light fine print. The terms are simple; the main limits are the flat earn rate and the lack of travel insurance.
No travel insurance includedImpact level: High
No travel insurance of any kind: only extended warranty and purchase protection
The Green Card's insurance certificate covers only Buyer's Assurance (extended warranty) and Purchase Protection. There is no emergency medical, trip cancellation or interruption, flight or baggage delay, lost baggage, travel accident, or car rental insurance.
Why it matters: Booking a trip or a rental car with the Green Card gives you no card-based coverage. You'd need another card that includes it, or to buy the insurance separately, including the rental agency's collision damage waiver.
1x everywhere except Amex Travel bookingsImpact level: Medium
1 point per dollar on everything; the only bonus is on hotels and cars booked through Amex Travel
The Green Card earns 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 on all eligible purchases. The one bonus is an extra point per dollar on hotel and car rental bookings made through the American Express Travel website, where Amex Travel is the merchant. Hotel Collection bookings don't get the extra point.
Why it matters: Groceries, dining, gas and flights all earn 1x. If most of your spending is in one of those categories, a card with a bonus rate there earns more.
No bonus if you've held a Green or ChoiceImpact level: Medium
Former Choice Card and current or former Green Cardmembers aren't eligible for the welcome bonus
The welcome offer is only for new American Express Green Cardmembers. Amex may still approve an application from a former Choice Card from American Express Cardmember or a current or former Green Cardmember, but that account won't receive the welcome bonus. The offer is only valid for applications through the offer's own link.
Why it matters: If you've held a Green Card, or the Choice Card it replaced, reapplying gets you the card but not the bonus.
2.5% FX fee, not refunded on returnsImpact level: Medium
2.5% foreign currency conversion commission, not refunded on returns
Purchases in a foreign currency are converted to Canadian dollars with a 2.5% conversion commission. Charges in currencies other than USD are converted to USD first, then to CAD. If a foreign-currency purchase is refunded, the commission charged on the original purchase is not returned.
Why it matters: A freelancer paying $200/month in USD subscriptions pays an extra $60/year in conversion fees. Refunds of foreign purchases don't return the original commission either.
All points lost if you cancelImpact level: Medium
All points are forfeited immediately if you cancel the card
Cancelling the Green Card forfeits every point in the account immediately, unless another linked card stays open. Separately, if a required monthly payment is missed, the points earned in the previous month are removed, and points can't be redeemed until payments are up to date.
Why it matters: Because the card has no annual fee, it's easy to leave open. If you do close it, redeem or transfer your points first.
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Welcome bonus: $1,000 posted in 3 monthsImpact level: Low
The welcome bonus needs $1,000 in purchases posted within your first 3 months
To get the welcome bonus, at least $1,000 in net purchases must post to your account within your first 3 months of Card membership. Returns reduce net purchases, and the bonus can take up to eight weeks to be awarded.
Why it matters: Purchases that post after the 3-month window don't count. Leave a margin rather than relying on last-day purchases.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Want a no-fee card with Aeroplan-transferable points
- Spend modestly across many categories
- Already have travel insurance from another card
- Book hotels and car rentals through Amex Travel
- Want to start earning Membership Rewards points
Consider alternatives if you...
- Need travel medical or trip cancellation cover
- Spend heavily on groceries or dining (1x only)
- Have held a Green or Choice Card before (no bonus)
- Make many foreign-currency purchases
- Need rental car insurance from your card
Welcome Bonus History
Amex Green Welcome Bonus History
The Verdict
The Green Card is the simplest way to earn Membership Rewards points without an annual fee. It earns 1 point per dollar everywhere, and those points can be transferred to Aeroplan, Avios and Marriott Bonvoy like the points from Amex's fee-charging cards.
The trade-offs are straightforward: there are no bonus categories beyond Amex Travel hotels and cars, and the insurance covers purchases only, with no travel coverage of any kind.
The Recommendation: Best as a no-fee entry into Membership Rewards, or as a companion to a card that carries travel insurance. If you spend heavily on dining and groceries, the Amex Cobalt earns up to 5x on those categories for a monthly fee.
Before you apply: This teardown is general information, not financial, legal or insurance advice, and reflects the issuer's documents as of October 2026. Terms, rates, fees and offers change, and the issuer's own agreement, disclosure statement, insurance certificates and program terms are what govern your card. Read them in full and confirm details with the issuer before you apply. Full disclaimer