Amex (USA) restricts bonus based on number of accounts opened/closed (June 2018)
#391
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,186
I just tried to apply for Amex Delta Gold and got the dreaded message saying I wasnt eligible for the sign up bonus.
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-paid for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the Delta signup bonus? What have been the data points for declined bonuses? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
How can you work around this or stop this from happening in the future?
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-paid for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the Delta signup bonus? What have been the data points for declined bonuses? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
How can you work around this or stop this from happening in the future?
The card for which you were denied was only your 2nd AMEX application in 90 days, no? So not 2/90.
#392
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Hilton Honors, IHG, Hyatt
Posts: 71
Is the 2/90 rule and the accounts "opened/closed" in the language applicable to credit cards in general or just to Amex cards?
#393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,927
They probably just decided that since you're applying for another Amex card so soon after getting your first one, and only applying for Amex cards with a signup bonus, you're probably mostly interested in the signup bonus, so that's probably why the pop-up. They don't like people (seeming like they're) applying only for the signup bonus. Here's another thread about some other things which they explicitly say they don't like:
Amex USA terms now penalize:abuse,misuse,gaming;1st yr downgrade/close;leaked offers.
#394
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Hilton Honors, IHG, Hyatt
Posts: 71
To add to the data points:
I tried to apply for Amex Delta Gold and got the dreaded message saying I wasnt eligible for the sign up bonus.
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August, which is very much still open. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-pay for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the signup bonus? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
I opened the Aspire in July and the Hyatt in Aug. Naturally, I stopped putting spend on my Aspire after Sept, as Im trying to meet the 6k on the Hyatt.
I tried to apply for Amex Delta Gold and got the dreaded message saying I wasnt eligible for the sign up bonus.
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August, which is very much still open. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-pay for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the signup bonus? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
I opened the Aspire in July and the Hyatt in Aug. Naturally, I stopped putting spend on my Aspire after Sept, as Im trying to meet the 6k on the Hyatt.
#395
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,186
#396
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,186
To add to the data points:
I tried to apply for Amex Delta Gold and got the dreaded message saying I wasnt eligible for the sign up bonus.
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August, which is very much still open. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-pay for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the signup bonus? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
I opened the Aspire in July and the Hyatt in Aug. Naturally, I stopped putting spend on my Aspire after Sept, as Im trying to meet the 6k on the Hyatt.
I tried to apply for Amex Delta Gold and got the dreaded message saying I wasnt eligible for the sign up bonus.
I've only ever opened ONE amex card, the Hilton Aspire, this August, which is very much still open. No previous history with amex other than that.
I also used the card 2 weeks ago to pre-pay for a week of stay at the Hilton during December.
Any ideas of why I am not eligible for the signup bonus? Does Chase applications affect Amex?
I opened the Aspire in July and the Hyatt in Aug. Naturally, I stopped putting spend on my Aspire after Sept, as Im trying to meet the 6k on the Hyatt.
In your case, and this is merely conjecture, you have a very short history with AMEX and the one card you do have you basically quit using after you met the MSR for the sign-up bonus.
Some people have reported that increasing spend on their existing AMEX cards coincides with the pop-up disappearing shortly thereafter - that's a theory only, one that hasn't been actually proven, IMO.
#397
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,250
Here is a relatively worthless datapoint. One month ago my wife attempted to apply for a Hilton card. She received the pop up and we cancelled her application. I’ve used her Everyday card then last 3 weeks to take advantage of some AMEX offers (groceries, Staples, Happy gift cards, BP gas) and today she just applied for the 45k AMEX Green offer and it went through without a hitch.
I am actually annoyed...I should have referred her for the 35k $150 offer instead of the 45k $100 offer. Oh well!
I am actually annoyed...I should have referred her for the 35k $150 offer instead of the 45k $100 offer. Oh well!
#398
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,278
Datapoint: Opened a Bonvoy Brilliant back in March (2019) and realized I am probably better off with Platinum (maybe...). Applied today and was informed would not be eligible for bonus. Bonvoy used lightly as work travel steered me away from Marriott after about six months.
#399
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New York
Programs: Navy A-4 Skyhawk, B727 FE/FO, S80 FO, B757/767 FO, B737 CA
Posts: 1,333
The BBP now has a higher referral bonus (15K for referrer and referee) but I tried for SO last night and got the pop-up page saying we're not eligible. How much spend should we put on other cards and about how long should it take to make a difference? I know this is probably highly YMMV.
#400
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,250
The BBP now has a higher referral bonus (15K for referrer and referee) but I tried for SO last night and got the pop-up page saying we're not eligible. How much spend should we put on other cards and about how long should it take to make a difference? I know this is probably highly YMMV.
About 1 month between getting pop up and not getting pop up.
In fairness we use our AMEX cards a lot but mostly she uses her AU cards on my account. She holds a BBP and ED card in her name.
#401
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New York
Programs: Navy A-4 Skyhawk, B727 FE/FO, S80 FO, B757/767 FO, B737 CA
Posts: 1,333
FWIW my wife was getting the pop up. I started using her cards only with AMEX offers...put about 5 gas charges onto her Blue Business Plus (all with the Exxon 10% AMEX offer), I bought a $100 Happy Gift card on her EveryDay card (1500 MR for $100 purchase), bought groceries ($10 back on $75 purchase offer) and did a Lowes online purchase ($15 of $75 online purchase). Then I applied for the Green card and it went through without the pop up.
About 1 month between getting pop up and not getting pop up.
About 1 month between getting pop up and not getting pop up.
#402
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,250
Thanks. I just looked at the accounts (there's only 2) and the Hilton was an upgrade so we put $3K on it up until late August and the Everyday is used for Amex offers. I'm pretty surprised that wasn't enough. I'll try putting more on it as you advise. Would it help to actually call Amex and ask? Or is this one of those situations where I should definitely NOT ask?
#403
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,278
Datapoint: Opened a Bonvoy Brilliant back in March (2019) and realized I am probably better off with Platinum (maybe...). Applied today and was informed would not be eligible for bonus. Bonvoy used lightly as work travel steered me away from Marriott after about six months.
#404
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mexico City, MX
Programs: No airline/hotel status use, Chase UR, Amex MR, CapOne etc
Posts: 266
Do you guys think that being previously added as a registered cardholder for a now closed card makes you ineligible for a bonus?
I had my former business partner add me as a user for the amex biz gold many years ago, had since log since cancelled it.
I got the dreaded "You will not be eligible for the signup bonus because you have previously had this card, do you still wish to apply?"
Different EIN, different social. Is this normal?
Even weirder I tried applying for some other cards that i'm positive I never had before and I kept getting this message as well.
In the end the only card that didn't give me the message was the new green card, the 35k is kinda weak but I needed a large carry on bag anyways so took advantage of the $150 Away Travel credit, and figured the 3x on travel and restaurants will provide a nice balance to move some awards off my Chase Reserve and get some more MR rewards points, as I usually put that on a sapphire but just overloaded on chase points, and since lost of korean air and united devalutation, i now think MR rewards are more valuable because of ANA.
Do you guys know if there is anyway around this message? Like applying on another computer, incognito, maybe using a slightly different name?
This sucks, I can't take advantage of the juicy 75k on $10k spend on the gold or the fantastic 70k skymiles on $2k spend for the delta platinum *sigh.
Maybe time to move onto Citi now that seems like both Chase and Amex giving me the middle finger.
I had my former business partner add me as a user for the amex biz gold many years ago, had since log since cancelled it.
I got the dreaded "You will not be eligible for the signup bonus because you have previously had this card, do you still wish to apply?"
Different EIN, different social. Is this normal?
Even weirder I tried applying for some other cards that i'm positive I never had before and I kept getting this message as well.
In the end the only card that didn't give me the message was the new green card, the 35k is kinda weak but I needed a large carry on bag anyways so took advantage of the $150 Away Travel credit, and figured the 3x on travel and restaurants will provide a nice balance to move some awards off my Chase Reserve and get some more MR rewards points, as I usually put that on a sapphire but just overloaded on chase points, and since lost of korean air and united devalutation, i now think MR rewards are more valuable because of ANA.
Do you guys know if there is anyway around this message? Like applying on another computer, incognito, maybe using a slightly different name?
This sucks, I can't take advantage of the juicy 75k on $10k spend on the gold or the fantastic 70k skymiles on $2k spend for the delta platinum *sigh.
Maybe time to move onto Citi now that seems like both Chase and Amex giving me the middle finger.
#405
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,880
Holding a supplementary card on another person's account should not disqualify you from earning a bonus on the same card. The fact that the site displayed the same message for various cards which you have not held indicates a technical malfunction. It is possible you are ineligible, but the script was displaying the wrong reason.