Green Energy

The American Express Green card is a rewards card that is excellent for those with good credit who are financially able to pay the full balance each month in order to avoid accumulating credit card debt. There is no pre-set spending limit on the card, but approvals are made based on credit history, personal resources, and account history.

At no additional fee, cardholders can participate in the Membership Rewards Options program where they can earn points that can be redeemed for products and services. The card earns a cardholder one point per dollar spent except for supermarkets, drugstores, the U.S. Postal Service, and when paying wireless telephone bills when two points per dollar is earned. Points are transferable into any one of eleven frequent flyer programs, and a first time purchase bonus of 5,000 points is awarded.

The annual fee for the American Express Green Card is $65 and $30 for each additional card, but the fee for the primary card is waived for the first year. There is a 3% cash advance fee with a minimum charge of $5 for Express Cash transactions. Those who will benefit most from the use of the American Express Green card are those who travel frequently and can take advantage of the rewards program by combing frequent flyer miles with other earned points.

Benefits that a member can expect to derive from the use of the card include the following:

• Online access to account information

• No liability to the cardholder for unauthorized online transactions

• Purchase protection and extended warranty for purchases

• Return protection

• Emergency assistance a travel-related services

• Medical and legal referral services

• Assistance with trip planning

• Insurance for lost luggage

• Guaranteed reservations for hotels and motels

• Emergency check-in service • Roadside assistance

• Insurance for car rental

• Travel accident insurance up to $100,000

• Emergency card replacement

• Financial statement at year’s end