American Express® Green vs Bilt Obsidian

American Express® Green
VS
Bilt Obsidian
The short answer: The Bilt Obsidian delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the American Express® Green if you spend more on travel.

Side-by-side comparison

American Express® GreenBilt Obsidian
Annual fee$150$95
Welcome offer40,000 Membership Rewards® Points$200 in Bilt Cash on account opening
Dining3x3x
Groceries1x3x
Gas1x1x
Travel3x2x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$402$490
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkAmexMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the American Express® Green earns about $402 a year in rewards and the Bilt Obsidian about $490, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Green charges $150, but carries about $199 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Bilt Obsidian charges $95, but carries about $300 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Bilt Obsidian delivers more total value, about $193 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries. Both earn transferable points rather than flat cash, so the deciding factor is whose transfer partners reach the airlines and hotels you would actually book. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Green currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the American Express® Green if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Bilt Obsidian if your spending leans toward groceries.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Green or the Bilt Obsidian better?
On typical household spending, the Bilt Obsidian comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $193 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the American Express® Green can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the American Express® Green and the Bilt Obsidian?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the American Express® Green or the Bilt Obsidian?
As of June 2026, the American Express® Green offers 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points and the Bilt Obsidian offers $200 in Bilt Cash on account opening. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.