Amex Green Card Discontinued: What the Classic Green Change Means (2026)

The entry-level charge card that introduced a generation to Membership Rewards is on its way out, at least in its current form. In mid-2026 American Express quietly stopped accepting new Amex Green Card applications, and the card is being renamed the Classic Green Card. If you have been thinking about the Green, or you already carry it, here is exactly what is happening and what to do next.

What we know so far

Two things are confirmed. First, the Green Card is closed to new applicants: as of late July 2026 its application pages return errors and referral links stopped working, so you can no longer sign up. Second, American Express told existing cardholders in June 2026 that the card would be renamed the Classic Green Card on August 20, 2026. For current holders, that is a name change, not a cancellation. Amex has not announced any change to the $150 annual fee or the card’s 3X earning on travel, transit, and dining for existing members.

What is still a rumor

Everything about a replacement card is speculation right now. Reports suggest Amex is clearing the shelf to launch a new Green-tier product, and some coverage floats a higher annual fee in the $195 to $250 range, a shift from 3X on all travel to 4X on Amex Travel bookings, and new bonus categories like supermarkets and gas. We are flagging this as unconfirmed: American Express has published nothing official, and details like these routinely change before launch. We will update this page the moment Amex confirms anything.

The new Amex Green Card and the 2026 refresh: what we know

If you are searching for a new Amex Green Card or an Amex Green refresh in 2026, here is the honest status: American Express has not launched or officially announced one. Pulling the card from applications and renaming the existing one Classic Green is exactly the kind of move an issuer makes right before a relaunch, which is why a refresh is widely expected, but nothing is confirmed. Reported, not official, details point to a higher annual fee, a shift toward 4X on Amex Travel bookings, and possible new everyday categories like supermarkets and gas. Treat all of that as speculation until Amex publishes real terms. The moment a genuine new Green Card is announced, we will update this page first with the confirmed fee, earning rates, and welcome offer.

Who is affected

If you were about to apply

You are out of luck on the Green itself, since the application is closed. If you wanted an entry-level Membership Rewards card, your realistic options now are the Amex Gold (a step up in both rewards and fee) or a no-fee Amex like the cash-back lineup. If a new Green launches later, you can apply then, but there is no timeline.

If you already have the Green

Sit tight. Your card keeps working, keeps its benefits, and simply becomes the Classic Green Card on August 20. There is no action required. Watch for any future offer to product-change into a new Green version, and compare it against your Classic Green before switching, since a higher fee only makes sense if the new benefits fit how you spend.

What to get instead

For most people who wanted the Green, the Amex Gold is the natural step up: it keeps you in the Membership Rewards ecosystem, earns 4X on dining and US supermarkets, and carries about $424 in annual credits against its $325 fee. It costs more than the Green did, so it only makes sense if you will use the credits. Run your spending through our free credit card worth it calculator first, and if you are weighing the whole lineup, read our Amex Green verdict and Amex Green vs Gold comparison to see what you would be trading up from.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated August 2026. We update this article when Amex Green Card benefits or annual fee change. See our affiliate disclosure, terms, and privacy policy.