Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post that is updated regularly with new information and offers.
It American Express® Green Card is one of our best cards for travel purchases and is featured in our best Amex credit cards.
Currently, new cardholders can now receive a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after they spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, they’ll earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first six months of card membership (up to $200 back).
Amex Green earns 3 points per dollar on travel, transit and dining. You will earn one point on all other purchases. Conditions apply.
But exactly what purchases count as “travel” and earn 3 points per dollar? Here’s what you need to know.
What counts as travel with the Amex Green Card?
Here are the travel purchases that will earn you bonus points under the terms of the Amex Green Card:
- Air ticket.
- Car rental.
- Camping places.
- Cruises.
- Hotels.
- Third Party Travel Sites (ie Orbtiz, Expedia, Priceline).
- Tours.
- Travel booked through amextravel.com.
- Vacation Homes (with exceptions, see below).
What does not count as Amex Green travel?
Amex terms clearly state that hourly share purchases will not count as travel.
Also, whether or not something counts as a trip depends on what the merchant code is when you make the purchase. According to the terms of Amex.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn additional points if the merchant code does not match.
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This won’t be a problem for most purchases, but it might be depending on where you’re making the transaction. For example, if you bought a tour ticket at a convenience store, it probably won’t be coded as travel and won’t earn you any bonus points.
Another common area of confusion when it comes to travel shopping decisions is home-sharing and vacation rental sites like Airbnb, Homeaway, and VRBO. These usually code as travel and earn bonus points, but some TPG employees and readers have reported inconsistent experiences with these purchases.
Related: American Express Green Card Review
Bottom line
It Amex Green Card: has a great welcome offer and an impressive bonus earned on travel, transit and dining purchases. But before you make any big travel purchases on this card, make sure it’s in Amex’s travel category and know that vacation rentals are great. Fortunately, the travel category is broadly defined for the Amex Green card, great news for earning as many points as possible.
Official application link: Amex Green Card:
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson and Chris Dong.