American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

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amex simply cash card

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

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American Express® Green Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express: Which one is better?


American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

3.9


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

amex simply cash card

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

3.7


RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

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.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$311.78


First Year Bonus

$100


Annual Fee

$0


First Year Value

$411.78

$311.78 in years after

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

Insurance Included*

  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    Up to a year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days

Insurance Included*

  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year
  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days or theft up to $1,000 per occurrence

  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    Up to $100,000

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada

  • reward cup

    Extra points

    2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    Amex Experiences™

    Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%1

Cash Advance:

21.99%1

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.992

Cash Advance:

21.992

Annual Fee*

$0

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

Welcome Bonus*

In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.

Rewards Rate*

  • 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases

Rewards Rate*

  • 2% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
  • 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Loyalty Program*

N/A

Point Redemption Options*

  • Most Optimal

    plane

    Transfer to Airline Partners

    2.1¢ / point
  • travel - plane

    Fixed Point Travel Program

    1.66¢ / point
  • hotel

    Transfer to Hotel Partners

    1.66¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits (Cash)

    1¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.765¢ / point
  • amazon logo

    Amazon.ca

    0.7¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.63¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Not Applicable

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.

Is this card worth it?

The SimplyCash® Card from American Express stands out for its no annual fee and strong cash-back earning potential, offering up to $100 in statement credits within the first 10 months. What makes it even more appealing are the unique perks, such as early access to concert tickets and extra layers of security for online shopping. These extra benefits, along with the affordability, make it a strong contender for those looking for a reliable cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an excellent choice for everyday spending while still enjoying exclusive Amex advantages.

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.

Pros

  • No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, making it accessible and cost-effective.
  • Attractive cash-back rates: Offers a solid structure for earning cash-back on eligible purchases.
  • Exclusive Amex perks: Provides benefits such as access to concert tickets and enhanced security for online shopping.
  • 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.

    Cons

  • Annual cash-back cap: Limits the total amount of cash-back you can earn within a year.
  • Limited travel and shopping insurance: The card lacks comprehensive travel and shopping coverage compared to other premium cards.
  • American Express acceptance: Amex is not accepted as widely as Visa or Mastercard.
  • American Express® Green Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express: When to go for one over the other


    Annual Fees and Requirements

    Both the American Express Green Card and the SimplyCash Card from American Express have no annual fee, making them accessible options for users who prefer to avoid yearly costs. Neither card has a specific minimum income requirement, which adds to their accessibility. This makes them both great options for those who want to avoid paying annual fees while still earning rewards.

    Rewards Comparison

    The American Express Green Card earns points on all purchases, while the SimplyCash Card focuses on cashback, offering higher rates in select categories such as gas and groceries. The Green Card's welcome bonus is larger, but the SimplyCash Card offers a smaller, more attainable cashback bonus within the first 10 months. Both cards are solid for everyday use, but if you prefer cashback over points, SimplyCash may be the better fit.

    Reward Redemption Options

    The Green Card allows point transfers to airline and hotel partners, with optimal value achieved through travel redemptions. While these options offer flexibility for travelers, cashback is more versatile and usable for any expense, which is where the SimplyCash Card excels. If you prefer ease of use and immediate value, the SimplyCash Card's cashback structure is more convenient.

    Benefits and Insurance

    Both cards offer similar insurance coverage, such as purchase protection and extended warranty. However, the Green Card has additional travel accident insurance, making it a slightly better option for those seeking more robust travel protection. Both cards also provide access to American Express Experiences, giving users special perks like early access to concert tickets.

    Conclusion: Which Card is Best for You?

    The American Express Green Card is better for those who prioritize earning points and redeeming them for travel. However, if you're more interested in straightforward cashback rewards, particularly for gas and groceries, the SimplyCash Card is the stronger choice. Travelers and those wanting to transfer points to loyalty programs should opt for the Green Card, while budget-conscious shoppers will benefit more from the SimplyCash Card's higher cashback rates.

    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 here 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%.

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