Highlights

  • No annual fee for the Basic Card, with 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 on eligible everyday purchases
  • Includes Buyer’s Assurance® and Purchase Protection® shopping insurance
American Express® Green Card

Issuer: American Express
Network: Amex
Card type: Credit card
Annual fee: $0 for the Basic Card
Foreign transaction fee: Not disclosed by the bank in the audited official sources

The card earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be valuable when transferred or redeemed well.

Related reading

🇨🇦 Canadian Amex Membership Rewards: A Complete Guide

Welcome offer

[Updated August 21, 2026] 10,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • Spend at least $1,000 in net purchases posted to the account during the first three months of Cardmembership to earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points.
  • The offer is for new American Express® Green Card or Choice Card from American Express™ Cardmembers only. Current or former holders of either Card may be approved but are not eligible. The offer is valid only for applications submitted through the webpage link when the offer is displayed, and the account must remain in good standing. Amex says points may take up to eight weeks to appear.

Eligibility: You must be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file and have reached the age of majority in your province or territory.

Apply through the referral link 🔗 (This partner link supports the blog.)

Past welcome offers

[Updated October 24, 2024] A record-high 15,000-point welcome offer was available through the referral link:

  • Spend $1,200 during the first three months

Everyday earning

1x: All eligible purchases at American Express retail merchants earn 1 Membership Rewards® point per $1. The account must remain in good standing. Returns and credits reduce points, while interest, fees and cash-equivalent transactions are not eligible purchases and do not earn points.

Benefits and insurance

  • Use Points for Purchases

    You can redeem Membership Rewards® points as a statement credit against eligible purchases on the Card. The current example on the website is 1,000 points for $10, with a minimum redemption of 1,000 points. American Express can change eligible purchase categories and redemption rules.

  • Amex Experiences™

    Cardmembers may use Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets™ and Amex Reserved Tickets™ for select concerts, theatre productions and special events. Availability, ticket terms, verification, fees and payment requirements vary by event, and the purchase must follow the event page’s rules.

  • Amex Offers

    The Amex App or Online Services may show dining, shopping and travel offers. Offers, eligible Cards and deadlines change. Registration is usually required before spending with the eligible Card, and purchases made before registration generally do not qualify.

Purchase insurance

  • Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan

    Canadian residents must charge the full price of an eligible new item to the Card, or use the Card’s qualifying BNPL financing. An original manufacturer’s free warranty valid in Canada or the United States and lasting no more than five years can be extended by the length of the original warranty, up to one additional year. The limit is $10,000 per item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year. This is supplementary coverage and does not cover shipping, installation, assembly or other service fees. Used or refurbished items, jewellery, many motor vehicles, business property and physical damage not covered by the original warranty are excluded. Report within 45 days and submit documents within 60 days of the incident or 30 days of a request.

  • Purchase Protection® Plan

    For a qualifying new item purchased by a Canadian resident, at least part of the price must be charged to the Card. Direct physical damage or theft within 90 days of purchase can be covered, including gifts. The limit is $1,000 per Cardmember per occurrence, subject to other insurance. Wear and tear, lost or mysteriously missing items, theft from a vehicle, used or refurbished items, cash or gift cards, perishables, most vehicles and business property are excluded. Report theft or damage within 48 hours, provide written notice where possible within 45 days, and submit all documents within 90 days.

Our take

As a no-annual-fee Amex card for earning points, the Green Card is a good way to try Amex for the first time. If you are unsure how widely Amex is accepted or want to test the flexibility of Membership Rewards points, it is a practical starting point. It can also be worth trying for applicants who were declined for another Amex card and want to build a relationship with Amex before applying again.