Is The American Express Green Card A Charge Or Credit Card? (Charge)

When American Express relaunched the green card they started informing sites with affiliate links to refer to this card as a credit card instead of a charge card. I updated our original review to reflect this ‘change’. The reason why people care if American Express cards are credit or charge is because American Express limits you to a certain amount of credit cards, but that limit does not apply to charge cards.

Despite the fact that American Express is saying to refer to this as a credit card, it’s currently still a charge card. The terms specifically mention that there is no preset spending limit and that you can enable the pay over time feature – both of which are unique to charge and not credit cards. We’ve also seen lots of datapoints of people being approved for a 6th card, although that isn’t that convincing given we’ve seen approvals for up to 7 credit cards before. @AskAmEx is also claiming it’s still a charge card as well, although Twitter teams aren’t always reliable.

It looks like what is happening is that American Express is enabling pay over time as a default on the Green card and that’s why they don’t want partners (affiliates) referring to this as a charge card. It’s also possible they plan to convert this into a credit card in the near future, but it would be strange timing if that is the case given they just revamped the card. I do find it frustrating that American Express is asking sites to make corrections that aren’t accurate.

Update: See update on this for 2021 in this post.

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16 Comments
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Joe
Joe (@guest_1161173)
March 15, 2021 10:28

 William Charles Had to close another card when i tried opening a new card the rep specifically said the Green card is considered a credit not charge card..

Chuck
Editor
Chuck(@chucksithe)
March 15, 2021 14:32
mmn
mmn (@guest_832134)
October 29, 2019 10:55

the real question is if its possible to move credit from/to that card to/from other cards

sdsearch
sdsearch (@guest_832531)
October 29, 2019 23:15

What credit limit? On Amex charge cards, it’s common to have no fixed credit limit: “No Pre-Set Spending Limit does not mean unlimited spending. Purchasing power adjusts with the use of the account, payment history, credit record, and financial resources known to us, and other factors.” So since there is no fixed credit limit, there is no concept of moving credit to/from that card.

It’s only with cards that have fixed defined credit limit, a limit clearly stated to you as a dollar amount, that you may be able to move credit from/to such cards.

Joe
Joe (@guest_831788)
October 28, 2019 17:11

It still shows up as an account on your report correct?

qmc
qmc (@guest_831796)
October 28, 2019 17:17

yes, both charge and credit cards show up on your report.

sdsearch
sdsearch (@guest_831999)
October 28, 2019 23:18

Yes, both PERSONAL charge cards and credit cards from Amex show up on your report. Only BUSINESS cards from Amex don’t show up on your report (as long as the card is in “good standing”).

Ed
Ed (@guest_831750)
October 28, 2019 16:26

I was approved to BCP today and tried to apply for Green the same day to have only 1 hard pull.
I wasn’t instantly approved and got the message “we’re reviewing your application now. We promise to let you know when we’re finished, or if we need more information.”
Am I correct that I need to call Amex today to cancel my 2nd application if I don’t want 2nd hard pull? Thanks!

Ed
Ed (@guest_831847)
October 28, 2019 18:19
  Ed

I’ve just frozen EX&TU reports. Will see where it goes

John
John (@guest_831852)
October 28, 2019 18:25
  Ed

Amex usually does not pull existing customer.

Tony
Tony (@guest_832009)
October 28, 2019 23:37
  Ed

Just call them and they will verify a couple things one of which will be the MLA and they will give you an answer. I applied for the Green on Sunday after being Pre Approved and I called them this morning and they went over the MLA and was approved – 10 min phone call.

Churning_Is_Fun
Churning_Is_Fun (@guest_832050)
October 29, 2019 05:37
  Ed

“we are reviewing ur application” .. .if amex had to pull ,they would have alreay done that.. i think its under stage how much credit limit and stuff..

JB San Diego
JB San Diego (@guest_831713)
October 28, 2019 15:41

Another Amx breakthrough by DoC!
This is great news DoC!

Won’t say more since who knows where the RAT is obtaining its information to do its misdeeds.

Jags
Jags (@guest_831710)
October 28, 2019 15:34

In the UK the Gold card is now issued as a credit card. Old Gold cards are still charge cards. It could be that at some point down the line newly issued Green cards will be credit cards but already in place ones will remain charge cards.

Hotelguyd
Hotelguyd (@guest_831708)
October 28, 2019 15:29

I fall in the same category too. I have 7 Amex cards after I have been approved for the Amex green last week. 3 charge cards & 4 Normal cards.

Sevillada
Sevillada (@guest_831707)
October 28, 2019 15:25

Kudos for the very good clarification