American Express® Green Card vs SimplyCash® Card from American Express
Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.
The offer
The offer
Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months.
In your first 3 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s on top of your everyday cash back earn rates. That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.
What each card is worth
Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.
Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.
$611
First-year value
$409
$421
Every year after
$309
Amex Green is worth $201 more to you in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $111 a year.
How the first year adds up
Annual rewards
$420.66
22,140 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $190
first year only
Annual fee
− $0
no annual fee
First-year value
$610.66
Annual rewards
$309.2
cash back a year
Welcome bonus
+ $100
first year only
Annual fee
− $0
no annual fee
First-year value
$409.2
Where each card earns
A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.
1xAll other purchases
22,140 pts
$420.66
2%Groceries
$46.44
2%Gas
$39.74
1.25%All other purchases
$223.01
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
Annual fee
Additional cards
Interest rates
Interest rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 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 29.99%.
Purchase:
21.99%2
Cash Advance:
21.99%2
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 29.99%.
Recommended credit score
Recommended credit score
Income required
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
- 2% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
- 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Points and how we value them
Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.
Loyalty program
Loyalty program
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
Cash back: every dollar it earns counts as a dollar, so there's nothing to convert.
Point redemption options
Point redemption options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / point.svg)
Flexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Nothing to redeem: it pays cash back.
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Insurance
Insurance
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 days or theft up to $1,000 per occurrence
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Up to $100,000
Perks
Perks
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Amex Experiences™
Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Our take
Why we like it
Why we like 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.
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
Pros
- No spending limits
- Flexible redemption options
- VIP perks
- Eco-friendly plastic
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
- No annual fee
- Attractive cashback rates
- Exclusive Amex perks
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
Cons
Cons
- Lower reward rates
- Limited travel perks
- Limited acceptance
- Annual cashback cap
- Limited insurance
- Lower acceptance
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.
More comparisons
Other cards we've put each of these up against.
vs Amazon Rewards Mastercard
vs Amex Aeroplan Reserve
vs Amex Aeroplan®
vs Amex Cobalt
vs Amex Gold
vs Amex Marriott Bonvoy
vs Amex Platinum
vs Amex SimplyCash™ Preferred
vs BMO CashBack World Elite
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs Rogers Red World Elite
vs Scotia Amex Gold
vs Scotia Momentum Visa
vs Scotiabank Passport
vs Simplii Financial Visa Card
vs Amazon Rewards Mastercard
vs Amex Aeroplan Reserve
vs Amex Aeroplan®
vs Amex Cobalt
vs Amex Gold
vs Amex Marriott Bonvoy
vs Amex Platinum
vs Amex SimplyCash™ Preferred
vs BMO CashBack World Elite
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite
vs Rogers Red
vs Rogers Red World Elite
vs Scotia Amex Gold
vs Scotia Momentum Visa
vs Scotiabank Passport
vs Simplii Financial Visa Card
vs Tangerine Money-Back
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
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 29.99%.
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.
*Terms and conditions apply.
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 29.99%.
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.
