American Express® Green Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express: Which one is better?

American Express® Green Card

3.8

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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

3.5

More Details

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725

Very Good

760

Excellent

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$457.03

American Express Membership Rewards

Welcome Bonus

$210

American Express Membership Rewards

Annual Fee

First Year Value

$667.03

$457.03 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$301.46

Welcome Bonus

$100

Annual Fee

First Year Value

$401.46

$301.46 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included*

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

Up to a year

Insurance Included*

Purchase Protection

90 days

Extended Warranty

Up to a year

Travel Accident

Up to $100,000

Extra Benefits*

American Express Experiences

Extra points

2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases

Extra Benefits*

American Express Experiences

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%¹

Cash Advance:

21.99%¹

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99²

Cash Advance:

21.99²

Annual Fee*

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Welcome Bonus*

Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months.

Welcome Bonus*

Earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 on your SimplyCash® Card from American Express during your first 10 months as a new Cardmember. This can total up to $100 in statement credits within the first 10 months. This offer is not available to current or former Cardmembers of this Card. Additional terms apply.

Rewards Rate*

1x point per $1 spent on all purchases

Rewards Rate*

2% cash back on gas and groceries (up to $15,000 in purchases combined)
1.25% cash back on all other purchases

Loyalty Program*

American Express Membership Rewards

Loyalty Program*

N/A

Point Redemption Options*

Most Optimal

Transfer to Airline Partners

2.1¢ / point

Fixed Point Travel Program

1.66¢ / point

Transfer to Hotel Partners

1.66¢ / point

Statement Credits

1¢ / point

Gift Cards

0.765¢ / point

Amazon.ca

0.7¢ / point

Merchandise

0.63¢ / point

Point Redemption Options*

Not Applicable

Is this card worth it?

The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.

Is this card worth it?

The SimplyCash® Card from American Express stands out for its no annual fee and strong cash-back earning potential, offering up to $100 in statement credits within the first 10 months. What makes it even more appealing are the unique perks, such as early access to concert tickets and extra layers of security for online shopping. These extra benefits, along with the affordability, make it a strong contender for those looking for a reliable cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an excellent choice for everyday spending while still enjoying exclusive Amex advantages.

Pros

No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through American Express Experiences.
Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.

Pros

No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, making it accessible and cost-effective.

Attractive cash-back rates: Offers a solid structure for earning cash-back on eligible purchases.

Exclusive Amex perks: Provides benefits such as access to concert tickets and enhanced security for online shopping.

Cons

Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.

Cons

High-interest rates: Carries higher interest rates on purchases and cash advances.

Annual cash-back cap: Limits the total amount of cash-back you can earn within a year.

Limited travel and shopping insurance: The card lacks comprehensive travel and shopping coverage compared to other premium cards.

American Express acceptance: Amex is not accepted as widely as Visa or Mastercard.

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®

vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card

vs PC World Elite Mastercard

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

vs CIBC Costco Mastercard

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

vs American Express Platinum Card®

Other Comparisons

vs American Express Cobalt® Card

vs Rogers Red Mastercard®

vs Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

vs Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

vs Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®

vs American Express Gold Rewards Card®

vs Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card

vs MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®

vs SimplyCash™ Preferred Card from American Express

vs Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard®

vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

vs BMO CashBack® World Elite® Mastercard®

vs CIBC Costco Mastercard

vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Card

vs American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

vs American Express Platinum Card®

American Express® Green Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express: When to go for one over the other

Annual Fees and Requirements

Both the American Express Green Card and the SimplyCash Card from American Express have no annual fee, making them accessible options for users who prefer to avoid yearly costs. Neither card has a specific minimum income requirement, which adds to their accessibility. This makes them both great options for those who want to avoid paying annual fees while still earning rewards.

Rewards Comparison

The American Express Green Card earns points on all purchases, while the SimplyCash Card focuses on cashback, offering higher rates in select categories such as gas and groceries. The Green Card's welcome bonus is larger, but the SimplyCash Card offers a smaller, more attainable cashback bonus within the first 10 months. Both cards are solid for everyday use, but if you prefer cashback over points, SimplyCash may be the better fit.

Reward Redemption Options

The Green Card allows point transfers to airline and hotel partners, with optimal value achieved through travel redemptions. While these options offer flexibility for travelers, cashback is more versatile and usable for any expense, which is where the SimplyCash Card excels. If you prefer ease of use and immediate value, the SimplyCash Card's cashback structure is more convenient.

Benefits and Insurance

Both cards offer similar insurance coverage, such as purchase protection and extended warranty. However, the Green Card has additional travel accident insurance, making it a slightly better option for those seeking more robust travel protection. Both cards also provide access to American Express Experiences, giving users special perks like early access to concert tickets.

Conclusion: Which Card is Best for You?

The American Express Green Card is better for those who prioritize earning points and redeeming them for travel. However, if you're more interested in straightforward cashback rewards, particularly for gas and groceries, the SimplyCash Card is the stronger choice. Travelers and those wanting to transfer points to loyalty programs should opt for the Green Card, while budget-conscious shoppers will benefit more from the SimplyCash Card's higher cashback rates.

Annual Fees and Requirements
Rewards Comparison
Reward Redemption Options
Benefits and Insurance
Conclusion: Which Card is Best for You?

Legal

^*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.

^1,2 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.