Choosing between the American Express Green Card ($150/yr) and the Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value — let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
Strongest in travel at 3%. 3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | American Express Green Card | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 40,000 points after $3,000 spend in 6 months | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | <strong>1.0%</strong> | <strong>1.0%</strong> |
| Travel Rewards | <strong>3%</strong> | 1% |
| Dining Rewards | <strong>3%</strong> | 1% |
| Key Benefits | 3X on travel, transit, and dining worldwide. | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year. |
American Express Green Card pulls ahead for travel, dining spending.
The $150/year fee difference means American Express Green Card needs to earn at least that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math.
Enter your typical monthly spending and we’ll show you exactly which card earns more — including fees and bonuses.