The American Express Green Card asks $150 a year, while the American Express Gold Card asks $325.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Amex Green Card | Amex Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Network | Amex (charge card) | Amex (charge card) |
| Annual fee | $150 | $325 |
| Purchase APR | Pay Over Time APR 20.24%-28.24% variable | Pay Over Time APR 20.24%-28.24% variable |
| Rewards | 3x travel, restaurants, transit; 1x other | 4x restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr), 5x prepaid hotels via Amex Travel; 1x other |
| Score needed | Typically ~690-740 | Typically ~690-740 |
| Reports to bureaus | All three | All three |
How the rewards stack up
The Green Card earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on travel, restaurants worldwide, and transit. The Gold Card earns 4x at restaurants worldwide and 4x at U.S. supermarkets, capped at $25,000 per year, plus 5x on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel.
The annual fee math
The Gold Card costs $175 more per year. For 2026, the Gold Card carries up to $424 in nominal annual credits: up to $120 in dining credits, up to $120 in Uber Cash, up to $100 at Resy restaurants, and up to $84 in Dunkin' credits. The Green Card offsets its $150 fee mainly with up to $209 per year in CLEAR Plus credits. Our guide on whether a credit card annual fee can be reduced is worth a read.
Travel protections and perks
Both cards carry no foreign transaction fees. A card that charges a foreign transaction fee can quietly add about 3% to every overseas purchase. Neither card includes airport lounge access.
Side-by-side: who each card fits
| You are... | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A frequent traveler | Green Card | Flat 3x on all travel and transit, lower $150 fee |
| A heavy grocery and dining spender | Gold Card | 4x on dining and U.S. supermarkets |
| A CLEAR Plus user | Green Card | Up to $209 credit covers most of the membership |
What if a premium card is not right yet?
The Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard offers up to 3% cash back with no security deposit and a prequalification check that does not affect your score. You can prequalify for the Aspire Mastercard to see your odds before committing.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
If you would rather keep your everyday banking, investing, and rewards in one place, a brokerage-linked membership can also make sense. Robinhood Gold bundles a higher savings yield and other perks for a flat monthly cost.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Building toward an Amex card
Knowing how long it takes to get a credit score after your first card helps set realistic expectations. A score of 720 is generally considered strong.
The Current Build Card has a $0 annual fee, no minimum deposit, and no hard credit check. That mix makes it a credit card that builds credit without a deposit. You can review the Current Build Card details.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
What Users Commonly Report
Reactions to the Gold Card's 2026 refresh have been mixed. Many cardholders feel the higher 4x supermarket rate finally justifies the $325 annual fee for households with large grocery bills, while others find the monthly statement credits easy to forget and hard to fully use unless they shop with the specific partners each month.
Green Card holders more often praise the card's simplicity, valuing 3x rewards across a broad range of travel purchases with no monthly credits to track. A common caveat is that the included CLEAR Plus credit only pays off if your home airport actually has CLEAR lanes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amex Gold worth the $325 annual fee?
It can be if you use the statement credits and spend heavily on dining and groceries.
Can I have both the Amex Green and Gold cards?
Yes, American Express generally allows you to hold both cards. You would pay both annual fees, totaling $475 a year.
What credit score do I need for the Amex Green or Gold?
Both cards typically call for good-to-excellent credit, often a score around 690 or higher.
Do Amex Green and Gold report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, American Express reports account activity to all three major bureaus.
