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American Express Green Card Becomes the "Classic Green" — What Cardholders Should Know
July 1, 2025
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American Express just renamed the American Express® Green Card — and stopped letting new applicants sign up for it at all. The rebrand itself doesn't change your rewards, but it's a signal worth paying attention to if you carry this card.
What Actually Changed
- New name, effective August 20, 2026: The card is now the American Express Classic Green Card.
- Applications are closed: Amex pulled the card from its site on July 23, so you can no longer apply for it.
- No benefit changes — for now: Your $150 annual fee, 3x points on travel, transit, and dining, and every other benefit stay exactly the same.
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Why the Rename Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks
Amex has a pattern: rebrand a card "Classic" right before launching a pricier version to take its place. Unconfirmed industry chatter points to a replacement with an annual fee between $195 and $250, and some reports suggest the new card could require booking through Amex Travel to earn its top point multiplier — a real change from earning on travel purchases made anywhere.
Nothing is official yet. Amex hasn't announced a launch date or a benefits list for whatever comes next.
Kudos's Approval Odds tool shows your real approval chances if a pricier Classic Green replacement launches, and the Card Explorer surfaces which mid-tier travel card actually fits your spend if you decide to switch instead.
What You Should Do Now
If you already hold the card, you don't need to do anything. Your fee and rewards are unchanged today, and Amex typically lets existing cardholders choose whether to move to a new version rather than forcing a switch. If you were hoping to apply for the Green Card, that window has closed — other mid-tier travel cards are your options until Amex reveals what's next.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
