Is this a trap, or what exactly is going on?
In this post:
I recently applied for two Amex business cards
In general I’ve been taking a break from applying for credit cards, as I’m trying to get under Chase’s 5/24 limit. However, in March I submitted two spur of the moment credit card applications. I wasn’t intending to apply for cards, but:
- When I logged into my Amex account, there was a targeted offer of 100K points for the Business Platinum Card, so I applied and was instantly approved
- Then hours later I logged into my Amex account again, and there was a targeted offer of 90K points for the Business Gold Card, so I applied and was instantly approved
Why did I apply for these offers?
- Amex business cards don’t count towards Chase’s 5/24 rule, so I could be approved for these cards without it impacting my ability to get Chase cards in the future
- Amex has a “once in a lifetime” rule on cards, and I’ve had both of those cards before, but the offers specifically didn’t have this lifetime language
In other words, I think this wasn’t a glitch. I assume Amex decided it made sense to target me for these cards (and give me the bonus) even though I’ve had both of the cards in the past. And I’m happy to pay the annual fees on the cards and add them back to my portfolio, and sure do appreciate the 190,000 Amex points I’ve earned this way.
Now I’m getting another Amex Business Platinum offer?!
I logged into my Amex account this morning and received yet another pop-up for an Amex Business Platinum Card, this time offering 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000. As you might imagine, I’m a bit confused:
- I already have an Amex Business Platinum, which I acquired through a similar targeted offer just a few months ago
- At the same time, there’s nothing in the terms & conditions stating that I’m not eligible if I already have the card, and I was specifically targeted for this offer while logged into my account despite the fact that I already have the card
The only thing in the terms & conditions that’s of concern is the following, which is standard language for Amex card applications:
If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with the welcome offer in any way or that you intend to do so (for example, if you applied for one or more cards to obtain a welcome offer (s) that we did not intend for you; if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it; or if you cancel or return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount), we may not credit Membership Rewards® Points to, we may freeze Membership Rewards® Points credited to, or we may take away Membership Rewards® Points from your account. We may also cancel this Card account and other Card accounts you may have with us.
I’m a firm believer in playing by the rules when it comes to credit cards — not just what’s published, but also the spirit of the rules. It’s not worth trying to pull a fast one and potentially having your account locked and points forfeited.
But I really can’t figure out where exactly this falls on that scale? I’m quite literally being directly targeted for this offer and there’s no language precluding me from getting this card even though I have it already. At the same time, surely Amex doesn’t want to give me another 150K points? What am I missing?
Does Amex want me to have two Business Platinums for the same business? Does Amex want me to open this card for a second business? What’s going on?
Bottom line
It’s not unusual for credit card companies to have targeted bonuses for members based on their customer profile. I benefited from this twice in recent months with two Amex business cards.
Now I’m getting yet another amazing Amex business card offer for the same card I just picked up a few months ago, and the offer is even bigger. It seems I’m deliberately being targeted, but why though?
Has anyone experienced something similar? What am I supposed to do here?!
I have 3 bus platinums ive been getting this on and been ignoring them. But after reading the linked article I will be attempting to activate them. Thanks!
@Mike C most Platinum / Centurion members in Australia were able to get their balances doubled (to negate the devaluation).
Thanks for that information. I wasn't platinum at the time and my balance was low when it happened, so wasn't affected too much.
I have two Amex business platinum cards, and two Amex business gold cards. I applied and was approved for these over the last 2 years using NLL offers.
A couple of weeks ago I got the pop up with the 150K offer (NLL). As much as I wanted to apply for a third Amex business platinum, I decided to pass because I was afraid it might put me at risk of an account shutdown. I already have 9 Amex cards total (personal and business).
Does anyone know whether you actually have to be targeted for this? Because when I click on the link, I get the same offer by simply navigating to the landing page. Will it work if I apply for the card in this manner or does this rule "this is not intended for you" applies in this case?
As others have pointed out, this is pretty widespread. I also saw someone mention it with regards to branded cards and I've seen this quite a bit myself. These mega offers are a little concerning for those of us who have been at this for a while and have seen all too many devaluations. While I wouldn't be surprised at a devaluation, the fact that there are mega offers on Delta, Hilton etc. frequently puts...
As others have pointed out, this is pretty widespread. I also saw someone mention it with regards to branded cards and I've seen this quite a bit myself. These mega offers are a little concerning for those of us who have been at this for a while and have seen all too many devaluations. While I wouldn't be surprised at a devaluation, the fact that there are mega offers on Delta, Hilton etc. frequently puts me at ease a bit. Also, banks and credit issuers have been thriving during the pandemic. That could be another reason they are feeling more generous (not to mention more competition nowadays).
Plus if a devaluation is coming I'd rather have more points than less :)
Same here. Current on my 3rd gold card. With another offer for another gold on another card. I’m on my 2nd biz plat currently and yet another offer for another biz plat on blue biz card.
Personally I’m not nibbling. There’s way too many easy Amex points out there with no lifetime language and I sense major changes or devaluation coming up.
Like you, I got the same 150K bonus offer when I just signed up for the 100K Amex Biz Platinum in January.
I also have a local Amex Business Development Manager reached out personally and offer me this one.
"Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you make eligible purchases totaling $75,000 or more on the Card in the first month of Card Membership. You can also earn an extra 150,000 points if you make...
Like you, I got the same 150K bonus offer when I just signed up for the 100K Amex Biz Platinum in January.
I also have a local Amex Business Development Manager reached out personally and offer me this one.
"Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you make eligible purchases totaling $75,000 or more on the Card in the first month of Card Membership. You can also earn an extra 150,000 points if you make additional purchases totaling $425,000 or more on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.†"
It's so special that I passed on it. Hahaha
I got the exact same “targeted” offer, even though I have this exact same credit card & have been wondering about it myself. I would love to get the sign up bonus but did not think that I could apply for it again but they did send me the email…
I have actually done this. Got an Amex Platinum Biz with 100k bonus, then a few months later got a letter saying I could apply for a second one with 150k bonus.
Got both successfully, then cancelled the first card.
Similar thing happened to me but with their Hilton cards. Late 2019, I opened their new Surpass card for 150k points. I met the spend requirements, received my points and spent it. Downgraded last November 2020 to the no annual fee card. Then last month, an email offer for me to upgrade to Surpass for 150k with no lifetime language. Just received the 150k bonus last week.
Good for you. I was in the exact same situation as you (had the Aspire downgraded to no-fee Hilton then got the upgrade offer to Surpass again with no lifetime language) but never got the 150K points despite taking screen shots, etc.
I see a big devaluation coming on these miles. I don’t know how they’ll do it , but i see it coming. They can’t be this generous without a price to pay
Amex devalued rewards points in Australia a couple of years ago, halving the number of airline miles received for transfers. Other redemptions also changed but not always at a 2:1 ratio. They changed the standard earn rate to 2 per AUD from 1, so they only devalued exiting balances.
AMEX is loose this year. I mentioned considering downgrading from Gold to Green as my spend for the remainder of the year will be across American AAdvantage branded cards. They offered me a 30,000 pts retention. Accepted.
Covered already
https://frequentmiler.com/bypass-amexs-lifetime-rule-when-you-expand-your-membership/
This. I received this via email last week and did apps for the 150k Plat Biz and Ink Preferred. Also opened (and earned 110k three months ago on another business plat).
I received the same offer, 150k for a second Bus Plat, after I opened a first Bus Plat with 100k bonus six months ago and then a Bus Gold for another 100k last month. I am really tempted but I have the same doubts, something does not click
Same here I signed up for the Personal Gold (75K) and AMEX gave me an offer for 140K on Business Platinum and 90K on Business Gold... tempting to sign up for these now!!
I'm in similar situation and have the same question. In the past couple months i've signed up for the Personal Platinum (for 100k and 10x on grocery/gas for 6 months), then the Business Platinum (150k), and now I see the Business Gold in my account for 90k. Plus i've received emails to apply for both the Business Gold (at reduced 80k) as well as another Business Platinum (for another 150k). Both those emails are valid...
I'm in similar situation and have the same question. In the past couple months i've signed up for the Personal Platinum (for 100k and 10x on grocery/gas for 6 months), then the Business Platinum (150k), and now I see the Business Gold in my account for 90k. Plus i've received emails to apply for both the Business Gold (at reduced 80k) as well as another Business Platinum (for another 150k). Both those emails are valid thru September and have no lifetime language. The email for the second Business Platinum came about a month after I was approved for the first one, so it seems like they should have had time to account for it (i.e. not like it's just a few days later).
I got an offer of 100K points on the Amex platinum even though I already received an Amex plat bonus.
Basically once you fill out the application it should tell you (as it did to me) something like..."you have already received the bonus...would you still like the card without the bonus?"
So I don't think they will end up giving you 150K. Aside from that it could just be a gitch in which case, go for it!