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Side-by-side

American Express Green Card vs Discover it Miles

Both are travel travel cards. The American Express Green Card comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Discover it Miles from Discover at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAmerican Express Green CardDiscover it Miles
Annual fee$150$0
Sign-up bonus40,000 Membership Rewards pointsUnlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
Bonus value (est.)$720$450
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressDiscover
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Travel)3x1.5x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 3x travel + dining + transit
  • $189 CLEAR credit
  • $100 lounge credit
  • Transferable MR points
  • 1.5x everywhere
  • First-year match = 3x
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
Read the full review
American Express Green Card
$150/yr · 40,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)

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.

Editorial take: Discover it Miles

A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Green Card or Discover it Miles?
The American Express Green Card has the bigger bonus, 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $720, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
Is the American Express Green Card's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Miles?
At $150/yr, the American Express Green Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Miles's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the American Express Green Card and Discover it Miles?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Discover) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Green Card or the Discover it Miles first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Green Card: $3,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Miles: $0 in 12 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.