American Express Gold Rewards Card® vs American Express® Green Card: Which one is better?
American Express Gold Rewards Card®
4.2
American Express® Green Card
3.9
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$619.03
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$1,260
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$250
First Year Value
$1,629.03
$369.03 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Rewards Breakdown
Annual Rewards
$467.86
American Express Membership Rewards
First Year Bonus
$210
American Express Membership Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
First Year Value
$677.86
$467.86 in years after
Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
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Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Travel Accident
$500,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combined
Flight Delay
$500
Insurance Included*
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extra Benefits*
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
American Express® Experiences
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Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
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Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Extra Benefits*
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
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*
$0
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*
Loyalty Program*
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 (Cash)
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 (Cash)
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 Amex 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.
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vs TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege*
vs TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
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vs CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
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vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
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vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express
vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®
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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.
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