Datapoint: Just for the heck of it, few hours ago applied for a Biz Gold via a public offer (actually a pop-up ad on the side of a FT forum on my iPad) which stated something to the effect of “up to 200,000 MR points for up to $15,000 initial spend. See your personal offer once you apply.” Looked at offer details, lifetime language WAS there.

Currently have 1 Biz Plat (12/25), 1 Biz Gold (5/25), 2 Biz Greens (downgrades), 1 Blue Biz +, 1 Aspire. In the twilight of my 40 year churning experience, no longer as enthusiastic about applications and recon calls and manufacturing SUB minimum spends as a few years ago when I averaged 20/24.

Did the application, saw a pending review message with a phone number to call. Didn’t call, about an hour later received an email stating approval with link to accept. Email did NOT indicate SUB and SUB minimum spend.

Wasn’t certain if clicking the link would accept the approval regardless of SUB details, clicked anyway. Had to input last four and ZIP Code, saw “approved” and 100,000 MR, $15,000 and two links, either “Accept“ or “Withdraw Application“. Clicked the latter (juice not worth the squeeze to me), saw message “application canceled.”

Immediately received another email, which stated that action had been taken on an application and I should check the application status. Clicked those links, taken to AMEX webpage, which lists all my AmEx applications for past 10 years, saw that today’s application was “canceled”.

Conclusions: Although the application most definitely WAS NOT a targeted NLL application, in effect it WAS a targeted NLL application.

During the process, one link that I clicked on showed multiple different American Express business card application links, each NOT specifying SUB MR or minimum spend. Since it’s been more than 90 days since my last Biz Plat approval, might try again for a Biz Plat in the hope of a higher MR/SUB minimum spend ratio.