The American Express Green Card was the very first credit card I ever got. I wanted a card that you had to pay off the balance every month so my spending wouldn't get out of control. I actually got one mainly so I could buy my books at college each semester and not have to carry around hundreds of dollars in cash. I found using this card to buy my books and then immediately writing a check out to American Express made the whole book buying process easier. The Green Card has to paid off every month so this is good for one time expenses or in case of emergency, but you can't carry a balance so if you need to carry a balance this is not for you. There is also no set spending limit which means I can reserve a hotel with it and then pay cash when I check out of the hotel if I want to. There is no annual fee for the first year, but after the first year you'll pay about $95 a year. So that can be a dealbreaker for some. Keep in mind though, that there is no APR since you pay the bill in full every month so that may make up for it. In any case, I've been very pleased with the card and still keep it in my wallet to use specifically for reserving hotel rooms or shopping online.

capers01

Vernon Rockville, CT

I've had an American Express Green Card since the world was young. I was fortunate. By the time I was old enough to apply I was already permanently employed earning enough to qualify for the treasured American Express Card. This was the card that told the world "I have arrived!" But that was a long time ago when Visa and Mastercard were just starting out. Diner's Club for the most part was the competition. **American Express Green Card** The American Express Green Card is a deferred payment, as opposed to a credit card. Whatever you charge that month is due when you receive your next statement. You pay $95 per year for the privilege of deferring your payment until the end of the month. But there are some added benefits. Your Green Card earns award points (but so too do my free Visa and Masterards). Then there's roadside assistance. One of the best features is the double manufacturer's warranty for most purchases. This is a good one. But, these days I ind that there are free alternative charge cards offering many if not all of the same benefits. Chase Slate comes to mind. Did I mention they're free? Of course American Express doesn't impose a predetermined credit limit, but a practical mind will self-impose one. The bill is due at the end of the month. During the days when I had an unlimited expense account and an assistant to manage both it and my American Express Card this was a pretty neat feature. These days, not so much. I'm also finding that American Express is simply not accepted at nearly as many merchants and restaurants as they were in the past. Why? Merchants complain that Amex charges them too high a fee. Whatever the reason, this is a huge disadvantage to me, the guy paying $95/year to be a cardmember. Bottom-lining the Green Card, I have to say that this was a great idea... once upon a time. But I'm hard-pressed to think of sufficient reason to keep this card in my wallet. I plan to leave home without it. Customer Service I do have to say that regardless of my current view of the American Express Green Card, no one beats the customer service offered by American Express. Available Rates As a deferred payment card, interest rates don't apply here.

RudiXeno

Boca Raton, FL

American Express has a solid past and a good future for those who hold its credit cards or are considering a card. The company offers more variety of cards today than ever before and one of its charge cards is the American Express Green Card. Credit Card Facts and Commentary: The American Express Green Card has been around for a long time and it has a few features that make it stand out from the other AMEX cards. For one, it is a charge card and that means that members are expected to pay off the entire balance each month. It also has no preset spending limit. Instead of a limit, AMEX monitors your spending and payment habits and then allows charges based on that. American Express Green Card has higher standards than other credit cards and an individual's credit has to be excellent to gain approval. The card carries a high annual fee, but individuals often don't mind- they like having no preset limit and the ability to charge most anything each month provided they keep up their payments up to date and payoff the full balance each month. American Express Green Card accumulates reward points, like other AMEX cards, but the rewards do not pile up as quickly as with other AMEX cards. It takes a little more time, but the rewards are still good and they can add up fast if you use the card frequently. Bottom Line Viewpoint: American Express Green Card is a useful credit card, but only a small percentage of applicants will gain acceptance and unless you are confident you will pay off the balance each month, it may not be financially worthwhile to get this card. The high annual fee and other factors make this a charge card that may not work well for some consumers. Customer Service Customer service at AMEX is usually good and helpful. Available Rates The rates available with this card are okay, but those who payoff the balance each month will never even notice

Bryan-Carey

Houston, TX

  Charge card vs. Credit cards: Charge cards with the lending on charge feature option are misleading to many consumers especially first timers, a charge card has no preset spending limit and a pay by date,  the balance is due in full each month which is an excellent product for the mere fact of not "paying interest" and "not carrying a balance", but when a consumer decides or are advised to use the lending on charge feature that is when the confusion occurs, (the pay by date now becomes a due date/pay by date)  and the interest charged is generally higher than on the typical credit card.  If one wants to carry a balance be sure to apply for a credit card:  credit cards have a preset spending limit and a due date, this permits payment over time or payment in full each month and charge interest on the unpaid revolving balance.  Always read and read again the terms of your contract, do not depend on most representatives to give you all of the facts and in this day one can research your product thoroughly via the internet or once you receive your card, read and read again and if you have any question call your card company and if your are still in doubt ask for a supervisor for clarification.

Advocate1655

Miamisburg, OH

I like American Express card because it is a prestige card. Not  every one could apply and qualify for this Card. There is a yearly membership which it pays for it self. accumulating points is real easy. Any Dollar  you spend and you charge you earn one point.These points could redeems for Airlines tickets, Hotels, car rentals. Also what good about American Express Car, you can borrow points so you can pay for your trip or whats ever and you will be required  to repay or reacumulates withing one year.

ilovemoney0324

Las Vegas, NV

I use Amex for travel and b/c it had no pre-set spending limit along with features that allowed me to pay some larger purchases over time. They, without warning, applied a pre-set limit, revoked the features allowing me to pay over time.  I have never been late or not paid the monthly amount due in full. I don't feel their restrictions are fair.

sothungirl

Jacksonville, FL

I've been an American Express cardholder since 2004. I have the basic, no-frills Green Card, which costs me $39 annually, but I'm completely happy paying for it. I earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on most purchases, but sometimes American Express runs promotions that can earn me up to 10 points per dollar. The great thing about these points is that you can use them for a variety of things. Over the years, I've gotten Longhorn Steakhouse gift cards, Delta SkyMiles, a $100 Holiday Inn waiver, and several other rewards with Membership Rewards. There aren't any blackout dates for using them on travel, and if you want to pay for part of a ticket you book through American Express with cash and part with reward points, you can. Their program is so flexible! Their customer service is also great. I've been contacted several times about potential fraudulent activity, and I've never had to pay any of the fraudulent charges (I live in a big college town, and credit card number theft is high here). Someone stole my card in Italy, and I had a replacement overnighted to me at no cost; I didn't have to pay any of the thief's charges, and I didn't even have to pay the overnight postage.  The only big pitfall of this card is that, until the recent economy woes, there wasn't a credit limit, so it can be easy to run up a big bill and forget that you have to pay the bill in full every month. I had this happen to me last year when I didn't have a job and had to put my car payment and bills on the card, and when I contacted American Express they worked with me to give me a 90 day grace period with no ramifications on my credit score. I was able to pay the balance within that time, and it never hurt my credit. This card costs more than some of the others, but the customer service and rewards program are totally worth it.

muwhobbit

Athens, GA

I have been a American Express Credit Card user for a very long time and always have been impressed with their quality customer service.  I can make my payment free of charge over the phone or go on line and do the same free of charge.  I earn reward points which I can redeem on their network site.  I also like that they keep a close eye on fraudulent charges. I have received several calls from American Express Credit Card making me aware and asking me if certain charges where legit.  One of them calls came last year from American Express Credit Card asking me if hotel charges made to my American Express Credit Card in germany where legit.  Needless to say at the time the call came from American Express Credit Card Company I was sitting in my living room in the great state of south carolina watching a movie.  To my surprise there where two charges of about twenty five dollars each, low charges but nevertheless unauthorized.  American Express Credit Card Company deleted those charges promptly and sent me out a new credit card with different account number.  Thank you, American Express!

Ladydeath

West Columbia, SC

    The American Express card is like an elite member of the credit card class. It is an excellent credit card if you qualify, and can be the most usefull of all the cards, however, be very carefull with this card. It is very easy to go over your head. Most, if not all of them, well at least the one I had, had absolutely no credit limit, which is a great tool to have and it is always nice to have a seemingly endless supply of money readily available. The only problem could be, is the entire bill is expected to be paid off every month. Like I've already said, if you can afford it, this is a phenominal credit card that is a MUST have in a serious emergency. Just think for moment, you are on vacation, and some bum decides to rob you at gun point and takes all your money. Fortunately you have an American Express that you had stashed in your glovebox. You are thousands of miles away from home with no gas and your starving, this card will let you charge anything with no limit and in any emergency can bail you out!

kdiggi

Kingston, NY

I have had an American Express card for over 10 years.  I love this card.  When you call their customer service department you actually get to speak to a human being.  And they are friendly and helpful.  Last year my husband's wallet was stolen when we were on vacation.  We contacted our credit card companies.  Amex was the only company that offered help.  They actually cared.  We had another card within 24 hours and they charged us nothing.  Several weeks ago I had a problem with our daily news paper subscription.  I cancelled our service and they never credited our account, I had the subscription billed through Amex, so I contacted them and they credited my account and contacted the company and straightened the entire situation out.  I was very impressed with their help.  I would highly recommend this card to everyone I know.  Yes there is an annual fee but it is certainly worth the money.

hon825

Philadelphia, PA