American Express Green Card versus Chase Freedom Unlimited Card: An In-Depth Analysis
In the world of credit cards, two popular options for travel and cashback rewards are the American Express Green Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Here's a side-by-side comparison of these two cards to help you decide which one suits your travel and spending habits better.
The American Express Green Card, with an annual fee of $150, boasts a robust rewards system. It earns Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to approximately 20 airline and hotel partners, including notable names like Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Hawaiian Airlines.
On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, which has no annual fee, offers Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These points can be transferred to around 11 airline partners and 3 hotel partners, with popular programs such as Southwest Airlines, United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt among them.
Key Differences:
| Aspect | American Express Green Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited | |-------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Number of Transfer Partners | ~20 (mostly airline; 3 hotel) | 11 airline + 3 hotel partners | | Unique Airline Partners | ANA Mileage Club, Avianca Lifemiles, Singapore KrisFlyer, Delta SkyMiles | Southwest Airlines, United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt | | Hotel Transfer Partners | 3 hotel chains (including Hiltons) | 3 hotel chains (including Hyatt) | | Transfer Ratio | Usually 1:1 (AmEx points to partner points) | Usually 1:1 | | Points Value Potential | AmEx points valued around 1.2 cents, with some partners offering higher redemptions (e.g., ANA 2.8 cents per point) | Chase points often highly valued with partners like Hyatt and United |
AmEx offers a wider array of airline partners and sometimes transfer bonuses, making it versatile for international travel, especially with Star Alliance partners like ANA or Singapore Airlines. Chase’s unique offerings such as Southwest Airlines and Hyatt make it better suited for those targeting domestic U.S. travel or premium hotel redemptions. Neither program includes all the same partners; for instance, United and Southwest are exclusive to Chase, while AmEx has unique partners like Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
Both cards offer welcome bonuses after meeting card spending requirements, with the Amex Green Card offering 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the first 6 months, and the Freedom Unlimited card offering a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
When it comes to travel protections, the Amex Green Card offers top benefits such as car rental insurance, baggage insurance, trip delay, CLEAR Plus Credit, and no foreign transaction fees. The Freedom Unlimited Card also provides car rental insurance and trip cancellation/trip interruption.
Referring a friend or family member who gets approved for either card can earn you bonus points or cashback. For the Amex Green Card, you can earn up to 55,000 points yearly, while for the Freedom Unlimited Card, you can earn up to $500 annually.
In summary, if you're looking for broader airline transfer options with a slight international focus, American Express Green Card points may be preferable. For access to Southwest, United, and Hyatt, Chase Freedom Unlimited points are the better choice. Your ideal card depends on which airlines and hotels you prefer to redeem points with.
- The American Express Green Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited not only cater to travel rewards, but they also offer points that can be used in personal-finance sectors, such as banking-and-insurance and finance.
- Both cards have their potential in the food industry, as they offer rewards points that can be redeemed for various purchases, including dining expenses.
- In the health sector, the insurance benefits provided by the Amex Green Card, like car rental insurance and baggage insurance, may offer a level of protection for those who frequently travel.
- The business industry could also find value in these credit cards, as they provide travel rewards that can be converted to miles or points for various business-related travels.
