American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs American Express® Green Card: Which one is better?

American Express Gold Rewards Card®

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

American Express® Green Card

3.8

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$597.35

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

$1,260

American Express Membership Rewards

Annual Fee

$250

First Year Value

$1,607.35

$347.35 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$457.03

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

$210

American Express Membership Rewards

Annual Fee

First Year Value

$667.03

$457.03 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included*

Purchase Protection

90 days, Up to $1K

Extended Warranty

1 year

Emergency Out of province Medical

$5 Million per insured, 15 days

Trip Cancellation

$1500 per person, $3000 combined

Trip Interruption

$1500 per person, $6000 combined

Flight Delay

$500 after 4 hour delay

Baggage Delay

$500 after 6 hour delay

Hotel Burglary Insurance

$500

Lost or Stolen Baggage

$500

Travel Accident

$500,000

Car Rental Damage & Theft

$85K, up to 48 days

Insurance Included*

Purchase Protection

90 days, Up to $1K

Extended Warranty

1 year

Extra Benefits*

American Express Experiences

Extra points

Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers

Travel Credit

$100

Nexus Application

$50 statement credit every 4 years

Airport Lounge - Priority Pass

Pass only. No Complimentary visits!

Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium

4 Free complimentary visits

Complimentary Hotel Benefits

Hotels booked American Express Travel

Status lift

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program

Extra Benefits*

American Express Experiences

Extra points

Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%¹

Cash Advance:

21.99%¹

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%²

Cash Advance:

21.99%²

Annual Fee*

$250

Annual Fee*

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Welcome Bonus*

Earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card in the first Year

Welcome Bonus*

Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months.

Rewards Rate*

2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Rewards Rate*

1x point per $1 spent on all purchases

Loyalty Program*

American Express Membership Rewards

Loyalty Program*

American Express Membership Rewards

Point Redemption Options*

Most Optimal

Transfer to Airline Partners

2.1¢ / point

Fixed Point Travel Program

1.66¢ / point

Transfer to Hotel Partners

1.66¢ / point

Statement Credits

1¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.765¢ / point

Amazon.ca

0.7¢ / point

Merchandise

0.63¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Most Optimal

Transfer to Airline Partners

2.1¢ / point

Fixed Point Travel Program

1.66¢ / point

Transfer to Hotel Partners

1.66¢ / point

Statement Credits

1¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.765¢ / point

Amazon.ca

0.7¢ / point

Merchandise

0.63¢ / point

Is this card worth it?

The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.

Is this card worth it?

The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.

Pros

Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.

Pros

No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through American Express Experiences.
Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.

Cons

High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.

Cons

Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs PC World Elite Mastercard

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*

vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs American Express Platinum Card®

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card

vs PC World Elite Mastercard

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

vs CIBC Costco Mastercard

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

vs American Express Platinum Card®

American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs American Express® Green Card: When to go for one over the other

Comparing the Annual Fees and Requirements

The American Express Gold Rewards Card has a higher annual fee compared to the Green Card. However, both cards do not specify any strict minimum income requirements, making them accessible to a broad range of applicants. The Green Card stands out as the more budget-friendly option, with no annual fee, while the Gold Rewards Card offers additional perks that may justify the cost for frequent travelers.

Rewards Comparison

The Gold Rewards Card offers significantly higher rewards rates, particularly in categories like groceries, gas, and travel, compared to the Green Card, which provides a flat rewards rate on all purchases. Additionally, the welcome bonus for the Gold Rewards Card is much larger, providing more upfront value. For those who spend heavily in reward categories, the Gold Rewards Card will offer greater long-term value, while the Green Card remains a solid choice for general spending without category limitations.

Benefits and Insurance

The Gold Rewards Card includes a more comprehensive insurance package, covering trip cancellation, car rental damage, and emergency medical insurance, among other protections. It also offers additional travel perks like a $100 travel credit and access to airport lounges. On the other hand, the Green Card provides fewer travel benefits, focusing more on basic purchase protection and extended warranty. The Gold Rewards Card is ideal for frequent travelers, while the Green Card is better suited for those looking for simple, no-frills coverage.

Conclusion

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is ideal for those who travel frequently, offering higher rewards in travel-related categories and additional benefits like travel insurance and lounge access. However, if you don't travel much and prefer a no-fee option with straightforward rewards, the American Express Green Card will be a better fit. It provides decent rewards on all purchases without the higher costs associated with premium travel perks.

Comparing the Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Benefits and Insurance
Conclusion

Legal

^*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.

^1,2 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.