American Express Green Card review

How the Green Card earns

There are no bonus categories to track. Every purchase earns 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar, whether it’s groceries, gas or a streaming subscription. That keeps the card simple, but it also means your points grow only as fast as your total spending.

For example, a household that puts $1,500 a month on the card earns 1,500 points a month, or 18,000 points a year. Add the welcome offer in the first year and the total reaches 28,000 points, as long as the $1,000 spending target is met.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 10,000 Membership Rewards points by spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. That works out to about $333 a month, a target many people can reach just by moving regular spending onto the card.

At $1,500 a month, the bonus adds more points than six months of regular spending would earn. Because the target is modest, you shouldn’t need to change how you spend to earn it.

Getting value from Membership Rewards

The Green Card’s main appeal is what the points can do. They come with full Membership Rewards flexibility, so you can transfer them 1:1 to airline programs such as Aeroplan and Avios, among other partners. That puts airline transfers within reach without paying an annual fee.

If you’d rather keep things simple, points can also be redeemed as statement credits against any purchase on the card. You also get access to Amex Experiences and Front Of The Line presale tickets for concerts and events.

Fees, interest and the fine print

There is no annual fee, and additional cards are free too, so you can add a family member without adding cost.

Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, which adds about $25 to every $1,000 spent abroad or with a non-Canadian online store. Purchases and cash advances are both charged 21.99% interest, and paying the full statement balance by the due date avoids purchase interest entirely.

Insurance coverage

Coverage on the Green Card focuses on the things you buy rather than on travel. Check the insurance certificate for limits and exclusions before relying on it.

• Purchase protection up to $1,000 for 90 days
• Extended warranty for 1 additional year

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The Green Card suits a beginner who wants Membership Rewards points, and the option to transfer them to Aeroplan or Avios, without committing to an annual fee. It also works as a low-cost way to keep earning transferable points if you don’t want to pay for a premium card.

If you spend heavily on groceries and dining, a card with bonus categories will earn far more per dollar. Frequent travellers and cross-border shoppers should also weigh the 2.5% foreign transaction fee and the lack of travel insurance.

How it compares

The American Express Cobalt Card earns in the same Membership Rewards program but costs $191.88 a year, with a top rate of 5 points per dollar on eats and food delivery. If a large share of your budget goes to food, the Cobalt earns far more points for each dollar you spend.

The Scotiabank American Express Card is another no-fee Amex option. It earns Scene+ points, with up to 3 points per dollar at Sobeys-family grocery stores and 2 points in several everyday categories, so it rewards regular spending more generously, though without Membership Rewards transfers.

Before you apply

The card is aimed at applicants with a credit score of 660 or higher, though American Express makes the final call based on your full credit profile. Confirm the current welcome offer and terms on the American Express website before you apply.