Amex Gold vs. Amex Inexperienced: Bank card showdown

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

The American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Green Card are two of the most iconic credit cards offered — the Amex Green alone has been around for more than 50 years.

But classic doesn’t mean outdated, as these cards have both received dramatic makeovers in recent years, resulting in two competitive products aimed at different market segments. The Amex Green is more focused on travel, while the Amex Gold is better suited for everyday spending on groceries and eating out.

Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the features and benefits of these two products and see which one might be the better fit for you.

The Amex Green currently offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points and 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of cardmembership (up to $200 back) after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of cardmembership. This is the best offer we’ve seen available to the public.

The Amex Gold, on the other hand, offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months.

Because TPG currently values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, both points bonuses are worth $1,200. But you can get up to an additional $200 back with the Amex Green bonus.

Sometimes, the cards have offered higher targeted welcome offers through the CardMatch Tool (offer subject to change at any time), so be sure to check this tool before applying for a card.

Note that if you’ve held either of these cards before, you’re almost certainly ineligible for a welcome offer. Despite the revamps both cards have received in the past few years, they’re still considered the same products. In addition, American Express also considers other factors to determine welcome-bonus eligibility, though it should notify you of your status before you submit your application and face a hard inquiry.

Winner: Given the additional 20% back on travel and transit purchases as part of its welcome offer, the Amex Green comes out ahead in this category.

Related: Ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

The Amex Green offers 3 points per dollar on travel — including transit purchases such as taxis and ride-hailing services. You also earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants around the world and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

The Amex Gold Card offers 4 points per dollar at restaurants and on purchases of up to $25,000 spent each calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar). You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airline or through Amex Travel. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar.

When you compare these rates, the Amex Gold offers you 33% more points at restaurants than the Amex Green, and it also offers 4 points per dollar when you buy groceries (or anything else) from a supermarket in the U.S (up to $25k in purchases each calendar year; then 1 point per dollar.)

And although they both offer 3 points per dollar on select travel purchases, the Amex Green Card opens up the bonus points to all travel-related purchases. This means anything coded as “travel” on your monthly statement will receive the bonus points.

For the Amex Gold Card, you’ll only earn 3 points per dollar on a limited number of airline-specific purchases, which includes purchasing airfare from the airline directly (not an online travel agency) or through Amex Travel. This means you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar for hotels, cruises, transit and many other travel-related purchases.

Winner: If you’re a commuter or a frequent traveler (and don’t spend much at U.S. supermarkets) and don’t have another card that offers you bonuses for travel spending, then the Amex Green has a strong advantage. Otherwise, the Amex Gold Card will likely offer more points for most people’s spending.

Related: What counts as travel on the Amex Green card?

A standout benefit of the Amex Green is its up to $189 annual credit toward a Clear Plus membership, which is enough to fully cover the cost of one adult membership.

The Amex Green Card also offers an annual up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit, which can be applied to the admission fee for hundreds of lounges worldwide. This could be somewhat valuable to those who don’t already have a Priority Pass Select benefit from a different credit card. Enrollment is required.

The Amex Gold Card offers up to $120 in Uber Cash. With this benefit, you’ll receive up to $10 monthly in Uber Cash credit, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. The fact that you can use these credits on takeout means card members should have no problem using the cash — which puts a full $120 value on the perk.

Both cards offer car rental loss and damage coverage (secondary coverage)*, baggage insurance** and trip delay protection.*** However, the Amex Gold also provides access to benefits and discounts when booking accommodations through The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay required).

The trip delay protection is typically the most valuable to many cardholders since you’ll be reimbursed up to $300 per eligible trip if your trip is delayed more than 12 hours. This will cover unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, such as meals, lodging and personal use items.

Winner: Given that both cards offer the same travel protections, the Amex Green comes out ahead with its valuable Clear and LoungeBuddy credits.

Related: What your card’s trip protection covers

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The Amex Gold Card has an up to $120 annual restaurant credit at select establishments, including The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. If none of those appeal to you, you can apply that credit to delivery or takeout orders from Grubhub. Because it’s so easy to use, most cardholders can get the full $120 value from this benefit. Enrollment is required.

You’ll also notice that both cards offers purchase protection* and extended warranty benefits* — an important card feature to have for many purchases (especially those that can break easily). The Amex Gold Card comes out slightly ahead in this department since the purchase protection perk covers your purchase up to 90 days from the day of purchase, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.

While the Amex Green Card also includes the same 90-day benefit, you’re capped at $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per year. For an expensive purchase, the Amex Gold Card is preferable, but most cardmembers will find the maximum to be more than sufficient with the Amex Green Card.

Additionally, both cards come with free ShopRunner two-day delivery from select online merchants and the American Express Entertainment Access program that gives you preferred access to shows and sporting events.

Winner: With its dining credit and more valuable purchase protection coverage, the Amex Gold easily comes out ahead in this category.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Related: Complete guide to the Amex Gold dining credit

Although the American Express Green Card has much to offer, its more upscale sibling — the American Express Gold Card — is still a better fit for most.

Using the Amex Gold Card to earn more at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets is likely more attractive to most people than the Amex Green’s bonus earning on a wider range of travel purchases. In addition, the higher annual fee of the Amex Gold is offset by up to $240 in annual credits.

Still, with a lower annual fee, useful travel credits and broad bonus categories, the Amex Green is a solid option.

No matter which you choose, you can rest assured you’re adding a great card to your wallet.

For more details, check out our full reviews of the Amex Green and Amex Gold.

Official application link: Amex Gold Card with a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 within your first six months of cardmembership.

Official application link: Amex Green Card with a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points and 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of cardmembership (up to $200 back) after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of cardmembership.

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green, please click here.

Additional reporting by Emily Thompson, Benét J. Wilson and Jason Steele