Yesterday sure ended up being a pleasant day when it comes to credit card applications, as I’ll be 190,000 Membership Rewards richer (after spending a lot).
In this post:
Why I applied for the Amex Business Platinum
To briefly recap my previous post, yesterday I applied for the Amex Business Platinum:
- I wasn’t intending to apply for any cards, since I’m trying to get under Chase’s 5/24 limit, and I’m also in the process of getting a mortgage
- When I logged into my Amex online account there was a pre-approved offer for the Amex Business Platinum, offering me 100,000 Membership Rewards points upon completing minimum spending
- I couldn’t say no to this offer, given that I wouldn’t have otherwise been eligible for this card (since I had it before, and Amex typically has a once in a lifetime rule, though this doesn’t apply if you’re pre-qualified), and also since Amex business cards don’t count towards Chase’s 5/24 limit
An Amex Business Gold offer I couldn’t refuse
Yesterday afternoon I logged back into my Amex account, and received a pop-up with another offer along these lines — this time for the Amex Business Gold. With this offer I could earn 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 within the first three months.
Much like the Amex Business Platinum, I had the Amex Business Gold before, so ordinarily wouldn’t be eligible for the bonus. However, these pre-approved offers don’t have that restriction, as I confirmed in the offer terms.
I figured I might not actually get approved, but sure enough, I was instantly approved. I wasn’t intending to pick up any cards, let alone two business cards in one day, but sometimes good opportunities arise.
Suffice to say that I’m pinching myself. I value Amex Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, so to me the 190,000 points are worth $3,200+. Admittedly I have $25,000 of spending to do now, and I’m also looking at nearly $900 in annual fees, but I should be able to make both of those work. It’s especially awesome I picked up these two cards without actually having any further cards towards the 5/24 limit.
Bottom line
While I wasn’t intending to apply for any cards, yesterday I applied for two American Express business cards, as I received targeted offers when logging into my Amex account. Between the two offers I’ll earn 190K bonus Amex Membership Rewards points, even though I had both of these cards in the past.
I was so excited when I saw the first offer, but to get a second offer the same day like this is… pretty awesome.
I recall you mentioning a mortgage soon and I too am seeing these offers in AMEX but didn't want to take the HP for another card. Though they've been preapproved and you followed through, accepted and approved for each card...did AMEX pull your credit TWICE resulting in 2 new HP's on your personal credit report? Do preapproved AMEX offers result in a HP if you accept? Thanks...and congrats!
I just picked up the gold business card with same offer. I pulled the trigger since it will be another month and a half before I can pick up one of the chase sapphire cards (48 month wait is almost over). Not happy about having to make the 10k spend, but I need to pick up a new laptop, tax payments etc.
@James OMaaT is a real business with real expenses that will get it done
Plastiq still for non-mortgage?
@ James pay taxes (you can overpay them and get a refund), business spend (ads, inventory), buying groups, etc.
Amex also has a 20k point offer for activating their "pay over time" feature - I had it on my gold card when I logged in. Easy and free 20k points and you don't even have to use the feature.
What’s your strategy for spending $25k, if you don’t mind me asking? I know Amex is sensitive about most types of MS.
How are you guys protecting your accounts? I have freezes on transunion, etc. I do not get any offers any more and assume this is the reason. But considering all of the identity issues freezing seems to be the best option that I know of. Are the rest of you doing something else to protect yourselves, yet still getting these great offers??
The fact that you have to spend on both concurrently is what ‘s bad. I would’ve waited on one of them.
Ben, my wife and I both got the Biz Platinum 100k offer with no lifetime language, but I staggered both applications to soften the blow of spending $15k twice within 3 months. I saved the link and once I finished with mine I applied for hers. Got enough tax payments lined up to meet that spending. We have both had the card before.