American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs American Express Green Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the American Express Green Card from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($780 more in estimated value) than the American Express Green Card's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the American Express Green Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | American Express Green Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 40,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $720 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | amex-mr |
| Headline benefits |
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Editorial take: American Express Green Card
Hard to justify vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95 with stronger earning. The CLEAR credit is nice but only useful if your airport has CLEAR lines. Most people are better off with Sapphire or Amex Gold.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or American Express Green Card?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus 40,000 Membership Rewards points (~$720) on the American Express Green Card.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Green Card?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Express Green Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and American Express Green Card?
- Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the American Express Green Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. American Express Green Card: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
