American Express Membership Rewards - 25k AMEX membership rewards points free with first purchase, card free for first year

hey, amex has a great deal now on the business gold card. 25000 MR points free with the first purchase and the first year is free. i already got the card and the points, it works perfectly!

the deal is through bzzagent, use this link: http://www.open.com/bzzagent

Worked like a charm..:) I confirmed all info w/ AMEX and all is good. ^

Any one heard of the similar offer for a personal card? If I just got a Business Card with $250 promotion, do I still qualify for this one?

Thanks OP. Great find.

FatWallet discussion from mid-December (with typical misunderstandings and confusion along the way) is here...

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/684337/

Just saw the "free first year" note. I have had a Delta Amex Business card so would I still be considered a "new" card holder with Amex MR?

Is this a good deal when you consider the annual fee for the card is $125? What can you get for 25,000 MR points?

I applied and received a bussiness gold car in November. Will AMEX give me the points as well?

clicked on link, but was for 20k. is that correct, or is there a 25k bonus offer as well?

its 20k in addition to the standard 5k for opening an account...trust me, i got the deal already, miles are posted and it is advertised that way from bzzagent too:

20,000 bonus points with your first purchase - special Bzz offer**
5,000 bonus points with your first purchase, to welcome you as a Cardmember2
5,000 bonus points as a thank-you for reaching $20,000 in spending
20,000 more bonus points for reaching $50,000 in spending
10,000 additional bonus points for your one-year Card renewal

clicked on link, but was for 20k. is that correct, or is there a 25k bonus offer as well?

The terms state: "The information in this application is accurate through 01/15/2007. This information may have changed after that date. To find out about any changes, please call us at 800-628-2244." I have now spoken to 4 different agents each one says there is no application with 20K bonus points. I'm debating whether to apply for this one or one I got in the mail that will give me $150 credit after 1st purchase + the standard 5K bonus points.

its 20k in addition to the standard 5k for opening an account...trust me, i got the deal already, miles are posted and it is advertised that way from bzzagent too:

20,000 bonus points with your first purchase - special Bzz offer**
5,000 bonus points with your first purchase, to welcome you as a Cardmember2
5,000 bonus points as a thank-you for reaching $20,000 in spending
20,000 more bonus points for reaching $50,000 in spending
10,000 additional bonus points for your one-year Card renewal

See this is what I signed up for, but the terms at the time were for 5000 points upon first purchase. I'm going to call and see if I can get 20k points instead.

Rec'd the card today. NO mention anywhere of the extra 20K MR bonus. The Amex CSR knows nothing about it and I have been put on hold 3 times. Will keep you posted.

Cheers

my brother and i had the same issue when we signed up but the pts posted automattically even though CSR knew nothing about it

Rec'd the card today. NO mention anywhere of the extra 20K MR bonus. The Amex CSR knows nothing about it and I have been put on hold 3 times. Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Applied and received the card 2 days later via 2nd air. Called to activate and confirmed that I was eligable for extra 20K (as well as stndard 5k) for total 25k. Mentioned Bonus ID 8251 to CSR and activated card. :D

I got the card without the 20k bonus. I called the MR desk with the bonus ID and got it fixed straight away.

Call with the bonus id. Thats how to get quick results.

Is this a good deal when you consider the annual fee for the card is $125? What can you get for 25,000 MR points?

A companion ticket for a coach fare to the UK from NYC on Virgin Atlantic is 30,000 points...usually retails for around $400. I'd say it's a good deal.

Economy Class Companion Ticket from any Virgin Atlantic U.S. Gateway to London (with the purchase of a Y or B fare). :td:

The Y or B restriction means you would pay at least $680 for the first ticket.

It would be better to transfer the Membership Rewards points to Virgin Flying Club, where 20,000 miles can be redeemed for the same reward with the same restrictions, or 30,000 miles can be redeemed for a companion ticket in Premium Economy.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/frequentflyer/spendmiles/companionsandupgrades.jsp

You rule, mia.

i applied after the exp date
card arrived on saturday
only was a 5k point bonus after first purchase
i never activated the card and just called today to cancel it

The terms state: "The information in this application is accurate through 01/15/2007. This information may have changed after that date. To find out about any changes, please call us at 800-628-2244." I have now spoken to 4 different agents each one says there is no application with 20K bonus points. I'm debating whether to apply for this one or one I got in the mail that will give me $150 credit after 1st purchase + the standard 5K bonus points.

The 20K bonus offer is still up and the terms and conditions as of today (Feb 5) now read info valid through 1/31/07.

I got my card last month (but after 1-15) and just used for the first time a few days ago. I suspect I will get my 20K bonus miles in 8-12 weeks as the T & C state.

If not, I will call customer service, and if that doesn't work, will drop a polite letter to Prexy of Amex. Nice folks at Amex HQ will see to it I get my bonus. :)

Had a problem with a Delta Amex bonus offer a couple of years ago. Letter to Amex HQ resulted in nice lady getting me all my bonus miles plus 10K more (if I recall correctly) for the trouble. ^

Card arrived overnite via ups air and 20,000 reward points posted before I used card. Assume other 5,000 will post after 1st statement. Great deal with fee free 1st year. Thanks!

Card arrived overnite via ups air and 20,000 reward points posted before I used card. Assume other 5,000 will post after 1st statement.

Received my card 3 days after I applied on Jan. 27th and made two charges the next day. Just checked my acct. for the first time today and it says:

Previous Balance as of Jan. 7, 2007= -20,000
Earned within the last 30 days= 20,000
Redeemed...... 0
Reinstated..... 0
Adjusted....... 0
Available Balance as of today 0

So, why does it say -20,000 as of Jan. 7, 2007? I've never had this card before. When will the points become available to use?

Phil

Did those of you who got the card via UPS overnight and got the 20K immediately do so by calling in rather than completing the online application? If so, what CS number did you call?

Received my card 3 days after I applied on Jan. 27th and made two charges the next day. Just checked my acct. for the first time today and it says:

Previous Balance as of Jan. 7, 2007= -20,000
Earned within the last 30 days= 20,000
Redeemed...... 0
Reinstated..... 0
Adjusted....... 0
Available Balance as of today 0

So, why does it say -20,000 as of Jan. 7, 2007? I've never had this card before. When will the points become available to use?

Phil

Same thing for me .... anyone know why it posted this way (so I'll be prepared when I call after my first statement)?

What site do you go to to check your MR points balance?

What site do you go to to check your MR points balance?

www.americanexpress.com

Same thing for me .... anyone know why it posted this way (so I'll be prepared when I call after my first statement)?

The negative points appear to be the way American Express preloads introductory bonuses. The negative amount will vanish once the system sees that the bonus has been "earned" (e.g. after first purchase) and then the bonus will affect the total.

Did those of you who got the card via UPS overnight and got the 20K immediately do so by calling in rather than completing the online application? If so, what CS number did you call?

I did it online. As did a friend. We both got the card via overnight service. Why, I can't say. Does Amex have money to burn. :confused: Silly question. :)

Don't know if I got the 20K points immediately, 'cause I don't know how to check my balance online. Guess Amex will establish a new MR account for me and send me something in the mail?

I don't know how to check my balance online. Guess Amex will establish a new MR account for me and send me something in the mail?

No, online access is optional. If you activated your card online, rather than by telephone, you had an opportunity to create a UserID and Password. If not go to http://americanexpress.com , click "First-Time User, Register Here" and follow instructions. You will need your card number and the four digit security code to complete the process.

Thanks for the info. I just registered and the account shows 20K in MR points. Guess the other 5K will post later?

I already have a Gold Card. Am I will be able to have the anual fee waived for the first year?

Will this card be linked to my existing Membership Rewards account? Thanks.

Update: To answer my own question, yes. And my 20,000 bonus also posted before I received the card.

I am on record that AMEX has stuped the MOST deceptive marketing tactics in the industry.

It's all about the fine print, and that shouldn't be AMEX's style.

I am on record that AMEX has stuped the MOST deceptive marketing tactics in the industry.

It's all about the fine print, and that shouldn't be AMEX's style.

"Stuped" isn't in my dictionary. Did you mean "created" or "devised"? :) If so, I agree.

Thanks for the info. I just registered and the account shows 20K in MR points. Guess the other 5K will post later?

I too received the 20,000 right away but have not yet received the 5,000.
Has anyone received the 5,000 yet? If so, when did it post?
Thanks!

I too received the 20,000 right away but have not yet received the 5,000.
Has anyone received the 5,000 yet? If so, when did it post?
Thanks!

They should post soon after you pay your first bill.

They should post soon after you pay your first bill.

Thanks. I'll look for it then.

Had exactly the same experience as GMT II.

Thanks to all for the deal. I now have a card that is actually accepted at Costco, which unlocks a few thousand in spending there as well.

Now I will see how AMEX is for service, and after putting several thousand on the card, maybe they will offer a deal to move me to plat.

^ ^ The 20K points posted before I activated the card. I am hoping remainder 5K posts when I use it

Just checked the mail and my first statement from Amex was there. Just checked the website and the additional 5K points have posted. MR now reflects the 20K AND the 5K bonus and my statement points are in the pending area. Great find by the OP and an easy 25K.

Cheers

Great find! ^ My 20,000 bonus points posted before I even received the card, leaving me a little confused. I look forward to trading my MR points for Priority Club points and another free night at an Intercontinental hotel!
Thanks so much, OP!
Kate

Any opinions on the best use of the 25K points??? I don't really need them for anything in particular, but would like to do something with them, as I generally use my Starwood card and would like to eventually cancel my Gold card.

My 25,000 sign-up points just disappeared from my account :mad:

Called CS and was told that they are having problems with online account information. They show the 25k are pending and was told to make another charge and points should post :confused:

I prefer to deal with American Express by email, because there is accountability and also because the issue will be routed to someone who knows about Membership Rewards. Unless you have an urgent need to redeem the points over the weekend I would send them an email pointing out that your balance is incorrect and look again next week. I would not mention the telephone call.

Any opinions on the best use of the 25K points??? I don't really need them for anything in particular, but would like to do something with them, as I generally use my Starwood card and would like to eventually cancel my Gold card.

I'll probably transfer my 25K into 25K DL miles. Could be worth $400>$600 with the high cost of flying.

Phil

Does anyone know if this is still good? The terms and conditions state that the information is only good through 2/28/07.

Thanks

I'll probably transfer my 25K into 25K DL miles. Could be worth $400>$600 with the high cost of flying.

Phil

Checked the website today and my 25K points were gone!! Called AMEX and they said my points were in 'transfer' status! They should show up online when my next billing cycle hits on 3/24. He said he could speed up the transfer if I wanted to use the points right away.

Phil

Checked the website today and my 25K points were gone!! Called AMEX and they said my points were in 'transfer' status! They should show up online when my next billing cycle hits on 3/24. He said he could speed up the transfer if I wanted to use the points right away.

Phil

Mine disappeared too. I have a print out showing the 25K. The person I spoke with, Lillian said she showed them in her system and does not know why they are not showing up but assured me No Problem...

Also, Good luck finding an award seat on DL at 25K level. They are really impossible IMHO.

Cheers

hey, amex has a great deal now on the business gold card. 25000 MR points free with the first purchase and the first year is free. i already got the card and the points, it works perfectly!

the deal is through bzzagent, use this link: http://www.open.com/bzzagent

Just clicked on the website, 25000 is still available with first year fee waived. BUT . . . if you click on another card on the site, they will send you a popup window offering you up to 40000. Don't know which card I want yet so I'll go back. Hope this helps someone.

Nancy

It's not totally clear where their math for the 40k comes from.

Terms and conditions
1. 5,000 welcome bonus points are available for first-time Business Gold Rewards Cardmembers only. You may be permitted to have more than one Business Gold Rewards Card account; however, you are eligible to earn welcome bonus points for only one Card account. Additional Cardmembers are not eligible. Welcome bonus points will be credited to your Membership Rewards account 6 to 8 weeks after your first purchase appears on your monthly Business Gold Rewards billing statement. Bonus ID: 9238. Spend bonus points will be awarded to your account depending on the amount of Eligible Spending* in each membership year, as follows: If your Eligible Spending in a membership year is equal to or greater than $20,000 but less than $50,000, you can earn 5,000 spend bonus points; if your Eligible Spending in a membership year is equal to or greater than $50,000, you can earn an additional 20,000 spend bonus points. Spend bonus points will be credited to your Membership Rewards account 12 to 14 weeks after your Eligible Spending reaches the $20,000 and $50,000 threshold amounts, respectively. Bonus ID: 7312; 8192. A one-time renewal bonus of 10,000 points will be awarded to your account 12 to 14 weeks after you pay the annual membership fee for the second membership year. Bonus ID: 3125.

So, part of it is ID 3125, which is 10k for renewing. The first 5k is ID 9238, but I thought the 25k is already split into 20k + 5k, of which the 5k is the ID 9238. So unless the 25k comes as one chunk not including ID 9238, these still don't add up to 40k.

It's not totally clear where their math for the 40k comes from.

Terms and conditions
1. 5,000 welcome bonus points are available for first-time Business Gold Rewards Cardmembers only. You may be permitted to have more than one Business Gold Rewards Card account; however, you are eligible to earn welcome bonus points for only one Card account. Additional Cardmembers are not eligible. Welcome bonus points will be credited to your Membership Rewards account 6 to 8 weeks after your first purchase appears on your monthly Business Gold Rewards billing statement. Bonus ID: 9238. Spend bonus points will be awarded to your account depending on the amount of Eligible Spending* in each membership year, as follows: If your Eligible Spending in a membership year is equal to or greater than $20,000 but less than $50,000, you can earn 5,000 spend bonus points; if your Eligible Spending in a membership year is equal to or greater than $50,000, you can earn an additional 20,000 spend bonus points. Spend bonus points will be credited to your Membership Rewards account 12 to 14 weeks after your Eligible Spending reaches the $20,000 and $50,000 threshold amounts, respectively. Bonus ID: 7312; 8192. A one-time renewal bonus of 10,000 points will be awarded to your account 12 to 14 weeks after you pay the annual membership fee for the second membership year. Bonus ID: 3125.

So, part of it is ID 3125, which is 10k for renewing. The first 5k is ID 9238, but I thought the 25k is already split into 20k + 5k, of which the 5k is the ID 9238. So unless the 25k comes as one chunk not including ID 9238, these still don't add up to 40k.

There is where you're missing the extra 20K. See the bolded text. :)

No, that's not it. The scavenger hunt is for the difference of 15k between the original 25k offer and the "new improved" 40k offer.

The spending bonuses are 5k and 20k.

No, that's not it. The scavenger hunt is for the difference of 15k between the original 25k offer and the "new improved" 40k offer. The spending bonuses are 5k and 20k.

"Original offer"
5,000 bonus points when you spend $20,000 in a year
20,000 additional bonus points when you spend $50,000 in a year

"Improved offer" (Points making up the 15k difference are bolded)
5,000 welcome bonus points are available for first-time Business Gold Rewards Cardmembers only.
5000 spending bonus for spending $20,000
20,000 bonus points for spending $50,000,
10,000 bonus points (one time only) after you pay the annual membership fee for the second membership year.

All,
I recently received an offer for AMEX GOLD:
1st purchase(any amount) will give 5,000 bonus points
$20,000 annual spend will give 5,000 bonus points
$50,000 annual spend will give 20,000 bonus points
Renew after first year will give 10,000 bonus points
TOTAL:40,000
Spend 5k per month: 60,000 bonus points!

Is this a good deal? I can hit 5k per month in spending. Thanks!

(apologize if this promo has been covered before!)

All,
Is this a good deal? I can hit 5k per month in spending. Thanks!


60k seems pretty sweet to me.

Spend 5k per month: 60,000 bonus points!


Not exactly. Those 60,000 are the base Membership Rewards points earned by spending $60,000.

Not exactly. Those 60,000 are the base Membership Rewards points earned by spending $60,000.
You're right-please disregard my earlier post. I just talked to AMEX CSR and she clarified it ...with so many offers out there I was totally confused, sorry about that! :confused:

In addition to the 25,000 MR points, you can also get either a $100 gift card to TigerDirect or $25 cash for successfully applying for this card. Full onfo on the Annual Fee Cards page of the Credit Card section of my website below. The $100 gift card offer may disappear after October 8.

Is this deal dead? After clicking on the link you get a new 40k offer that is not as good.

Is this deal dead? After clicking on the link you get a new 40k offer that is not as good.

Looks like dead. Too bad.

However, this is still alive, gives 25K as well.

www.open.com/freeticket

Great! Thanks a lot!

However, this is still alive, gives 25K as well.

www.open.com/freeticket

I am getting the message "The requested URL /opencom/freeticket was not found on this server" using two different browser. Looks like a very short-lived offer.

I am getting the message "The requested URL /opencom/freeticket was not found on this server" using two different browser. Looks like a very short-lived offer.

It was available for at least few months. I would not categorize it as short-lived :)

I applied and recieved this card in October, will I recieve 25K or just 5K? I thought the link I applied on said 25K. Thanks!

I applied and recieved this card in October, will I recieve 25K or just 5K? I thought the link I applied on said 25K. Thanks!

Hopefully you kept a copy of that page showing the 25K offer, just in case.

Hopefully you kept a copy of that page showing the 25K offer, just in case.

Many times they forget to give the promised bonus points and I send an online message,
"Hi, I was offered XXK points when I opened this card, but haven't received the points. Please give me the points.
CM"
Then without an exception, they credited the forgotten points in a couple of days. Amex is a rich company and regarding these things, not cheap.
Why lose a potential loyal customer for some lousy points? 25K is cheap relative to the average marketing cost of recruiting a customer.
With Amex, don't worry about them not posting the points.

This link still works (as of an hour ago):
https://www201.americanexpress.com/sbsapply/EACQServlet?request_type=applyNow&bos=b&ct=24&lpid=263&eep=20145