American Express Green Card vs. PayPal Cashback Mastercard
On the criteria below, American Express Green Card wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
American Express Green Card
Amex
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Synchrony
American Express Green Card wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
American Express Green Card wins on first-year math, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; PayPal Cashback Mastercard wins on annual fee.
Pick the American Express Green Card if year-one math is your priority; take the PayPal Cashback Mastercard if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1 (1 tie)- First-year math American Express Green Card
American Express Green Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Tie
Same peak earning rate.
- Travel insurance American Express Green Card
American Express Green Card carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions American Express Green Card
American Express Green Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $150
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $640
- —
- First-year net
- +$490
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 3×
- 3×
- Top categories
- Dining Worldwide, Transit, Travel
- PayPal Purchases
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- American Express Membership Rewards
- PayPal Cash Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.