The American Specific® Gold Card and the American Specific® Inexperienced Card* are each finest used to earn rewards to place towards flights. Although they’re just a little pricier than different rewards bank cards with respective $250 (see charges and costs) and $150 annual charges, the Gold Card’s premium is smart provided that it doubles as a grocery card.

Regardless of the worth, the Gold Card would be the best choice for many cardholders due to its superior rewards program, welcome supply and different perks. Each playing cards dole out Membership Rewards factors, which may make redeeming rewards trickier than basic cash-back bank cards, so each of those playing cards are finest for frequent vacationers. However there’s extra to contemplate when deciding which one is finally best for you.

Annual charges

Winner: Inexperienced Card

These playing cards are each barely pricier than your common rewards bank card. They don’t seem to be fairly within the $400-plus class of premium playing cards, however $150 (Inexperienced Card) and $250 (Gold Card) are each considerably greater than the closest competing journey bank cards, just like the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card and the Citi Premier® Card which are available in at $95 yearly. 

As at all times, you may need to be certain that the rewards and perks will make the price of the annual payment value your whereas. Alternatively, you possibly can apply for bank cards with no annual payment. 

Welcome affords

Winner: Gold Card

The Gold Card’s welcome supply is a lot better — so long as you possibly can spend sufficient to earn it. 

• Gold Card: You’ll be able to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.
• Inexperienced Card: You’ll be able to earn 45,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months.

Contemplate your regular spending habits to make sure you can attain the welcome supply. In the event you usually would not spend $4,000 on a card over the course of six months, the Gold Card’s welcome supply is ineffective to you. 

Additionally take into account how you’d redeem the welcome supply to get the perfect worth. American Specific values Membership Rewards factors redeemed for flights booked by means of Amex Journey at 1 cent per level, and for assertion credit at 0.6 cent per level. So 60,000 Membership Rewards factors could be value $600 if redeemed for flights by means of American Specific Journey, however would solely be value $360 if redeemed for a press release credit score.

Rewards

Winner: Gold Card

The Gold earns extra rewards on eating places and U.S. supermarkets, whereas the Inexperienced earns extra rewards on transit. Transit consists of trains, taxicabs, rideshare providers, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways. In the event you commute so much, the Inexperienced Card’s rewards packages could make extra sense to you. In any other case, the Gold covers extra fundamental rewards classes.

Do not forget that the identical redemption charges apply for Amex’s Membership Rewards factors: You will get a price of 1 cent per level for those who redeem your rewards for flights by means of American Specific Journey, however considerably much less for many different redemption choices.

Annual credit

Winner: Gold Card

Phrases apply to American Specific advantages and affords. Enrollment could also be required for choose American Specific advantages and affords. Go to americanexpress.com to study extra.

This one is trickier to find out. This is what every card affords:

In the event you eat commonly at any of the Gold Card’s collaborating places and use Uber, you possibly can earn as much as $240 that is nearly as good as money. For the Inexperienced credit, CLEAR is much less well-liked than TSA PreCheck or International Entry, and single-use passes by means of LoungeBuddy usually price $40 to $50. In the event you commonly buy one-day lounge passes and worth CLEAR membership, the Inexperienced Card affords good credit score worth however we expect the eating credit score and Uber Money will do extra good for the broadest group of individuals. 

Journey perks

Winner: Gold Card

Each playing cards supply automobile rental loss and harm insurance coverage**, misplaced baggage insurance coverage**, journey delay insurance coverage** and a 24/7 international help hotline. The Gold Card additionally grants entry to the Resort Assortment — a curated listing of lodges which you’ll reserve by means of AmEx. In the event you keep a minimum of two nights at a Resort Assortment property, you obtain as much as a $100 credit score with the Gold Card for qualifying spa, eating, or resort actions.

The underside line

The Gold Card is dearer, however it’ll additionally supply higher worth for many customers. The Inexperienced Card is extra travel-focused — however different journey bank cards will almost definitely be higher choices.

FAQs

For charges and costs of the American Specific Gold Card, click on right here.

*All details about the American Specific Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

**Eligibility and Profit stage varies by Card. Phrases, Circumstances, and Limitations Apply. Please go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for extra particulars. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Firm.

The editorial content material on this web page relies solely on goal, impartial assessments by our writers and isn’t influenced by promoting or partnerships. It has not been offered or commissioned by any third occasion. Nonetheless, we could obtain compensation if you click on on hyperlinks to services or products provided by our companions.

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