Once-in-a-lifetime bonus policy now applies to both personal & BUSINESS cards [USA].
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#1
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL DM/2MM, AA EXP/2MM, UA GD/1MM, AS MVPG75k, LH SEN, IC RA, FRMT LT PLT, HYT GLOB, HLT DIA, HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,107

I finally got around to applying for new DL Platinum AMEX Business cards today and got an unwelcome surprise. For every link I can find, the following language now appears:
"Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
This language had the 12-month exception a few days ago.
When did this go into effect, and can anyone point me to a link that will allow the bonus after a 12-month wait?
"Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
This language had the 12-month exception a few days ago.
When did this go into effect, and can anyone point me to a link that will allow the bonus after a 12-month wait?
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 42,030
I spot checked three other business cards (Business Platinum, Business Rewards Gold, Starwood Business) and they still have the old language:
Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product within the last 12 months.
#3
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL DM/2MM, AA EXP/2MM, UA GD/1MM, AS MVPG75k, LH SEN, IC RA, FRMT LT PLT, HYT GLOB, HLT DIA, HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,107
Thanks, Mia. Maybe getting a new Business Gold will make it all better...

#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 677
February 2016: Once-in-a-lifetime bonus policy now applies to Business cards.
Seems business cards are once per lifetime now also unless you get a targeted offer in the mail. They all say "Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 42,030
MEMBERSHIP REWARDS
Business Platinum
Business Gold Rewards
Business Green
Blue for Business
DELTA
Reserve Skymiles Business
Platinum Skymiles Business
Gold Skymiles Business
I still the more liberal "12 month" language for:
Starwood Business (...but the more restrictive language appears on the actual application.)
Bear in mind that American Express considered the INDIVIDUAL to be the applicant for bonus purposes. You cannot bypass the restriction by creating another company. You will get the card, but not the bonus.
Last edited by mia; Feb 25, 16 at 3:07 pm Reason: Amend SPG terms.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 677
I now see the once-in-a-lifetime language in offers for:
MEMBERSHIP REWARDS
Business Platinum
Business Gold Rewards
Business Green
Blue for Business
DELTA
Reserve Skymiles Business
Platinum Skymiles Business
Gold Skymiles Business
But I still the more liberal "12 month" language for:
Starwood Business
Bear in mind that American Express considered the INDIVIDUAL to be the applicant for bonus purposes. You cannot bypass the restriction by creating another company. You will get the card, but not the bonus.
MEMBERSHIP REWARDS
Business Platinum
Business Gold Rewards
Business Green
Blue for Business
DELTA
Reserve Skymiles Business
Platinum Skymiles Business
Gold Skymiles Business
But I still the more liberal "12 month" language for:
Starwood Business
Bear in mind that American Express considered the INDIVIDUAL to be the applicant for bonus purposes. You cannot bypass the restriction by creating another company. You will get the card, but not the bonus.
Earn 25,000 Bonus Starpoints®after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.† Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NC
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 122
It seems that if you're on the web page that displays all the Amex Business cards, clicking on the "Offer Terms" link for the SPG Business shows the old "12 month" language. However, once you click on the apply button, the new language shows up on both the application page and the "Offer Terms" link on the application page.
I had been holding off on re-applying for this card, so this got me concerned. I sent myself a SPG business card referral from my wife's account hoping that I would get lucky. Success! The referral application link shows the "12 month" language. I better go ahead and apply before it gets taken away, too.
I had been holding off on re-applying for this card, so this got me concerned. I sent myself a SPG business card referral from my wife's account hoping that I would get lucky. Success! The referral application link shows the "12 month" language. I better go ahead and apply before it gets taken away, too.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 42,030
Agreed. If we take The Mileage Millionaire's report on the 19th as the beginning of a transition it would be only a matter of time before they cleanup the stragglers.
On the other hand, I have read several recent reports of targeted (personal card) offers without any exclusion language. It may be that American Express is entering a new marketing phase focused on targeting rather than market-wide offers.
On the other hand, I have read several recent reports of targeted (personal card) offers without any exclusion language. It may be that American Express is entering a new marketing phase focused on targeting rather than market-wide offers.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,660
I read about this on doctor of credit, so I checked my current offers which were 75K for the Platinum Business and 75K for the Business Gold. Neither had the once in a lifetime language either in the initial offer or after I logged on to the application.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NJ
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Premier Platinum
Posts: 391
I also found the targeted 75K for the Platinum Business and 75K for the Business Gold which doesn't have the 12 month nor lifetime language. However, I just closed my Biz Gold account last month. Would like to know if the 12 month period is forced or not for the targeted offer.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 41
I also found the targeted 75K for the Platinum Business and 75K for the Business Gold which doesn't have the 12 month nor lifetime language. However, I just closed my Biz Gold account last month. Would like to know if the 12 month period is forced or not for the targeted offer.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: BOI or anywhere a good IPA is served!!
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 10,563
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NJ
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Premier Platinum
Posts: 391
We don't have enough data points on the targeted offer if a similar product is closed within the last 12 months I guess.