Amex (USA) restricts bonus based on number of accounts opened/closed (June 2018)
Jun 7, 2018, 7:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Amex (USA) restricts bonus based on number of accounts opened/closed (June 2018)
Thought about adding to the running "AMEX refuses to honor..." thread but thought this might deserve a separate thread as it's a policy/T&Cs change vice individual experiential problems...from DoC:
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ameri...ed-open-cards/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ameri...ed-open-cards/
Today they have added new language stating:
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Jun 7, 2018, 7:54 am
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
This could mean that American Express will:
I would be okay with 1 or 2, but of course not 3.
- Reject the application if the applicant has a history of opening/closing accounts for bonuses.
- Notify the applicant that there will be no bonus before the physical cards are delivered.
- Provide no notice of ineligibility, and withhold the bonus.
I would be okay with 1 or 2, but of course not 3.
Jun 7, 2018, 8:20 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,317
This could mean that American Express will:
I would be okay with 1 or 2, but of course not 3.
- Reject the application if the applicant has a history of opening/closing accounts for bonuses.
- Notify the applicant that there will be no bonus before the physical cards are delivered.
- Provide no notice of ineligibility, and withhold the bonus.
I would be okay with 1 or 2, but of course not 3.
Jun 7, 2018, 8:22 am
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
#3 is how the have handled previous instances of witholding bonus. Accepted for the card, but then no bonus if you previously had the card.
Jun 7, 2018, 11:09 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
#3 is how the have handled previous instances of witholding bonus. Accepted for the card, but then no bonus if you previously had the card.
Jun 7, 2018, 11:13 am
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Jun 7, 2018, 11:21 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
I feel like they should, if only to give people confidence that such a bonus will be given. (I have had a bad experience with them taking months to post the bonus points on my SPG after achieving minimum spend. Fortunately I didn't have trouble arguing that I did qualify, but imagine what it'd be like if I actually had to prove that I was supposed to get one.)
Anyway, I'm not sure case 1 above is warranted unless someone's really abusing apps. Though since AmEx has had lifetime language for a while now, I'm not sure what would qualify.
Anyway, I'm not sure case 1 above is warranted unless someone's really abusing apps. Though since AmEx has had lifetime language for a while now, I'm not sure what would qualify.
Jun 7, 2018, 11:39 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
Jun 7, 2018, 12:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
I'm not too worried as long as you don't go on a spree and apply for all the Amex cards in a very short period of time. apply for 2 Hilton cards at the same time might raise questions or if you have an existing Delta card apply for another one. But I think they are less likely to scrutinize your record if you have normal organic spend on their cards and keeping some cards for long term use.
Jun 7, 2018, 2:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 540
I'm not too worried as long as you don't go on a spree and apply for all the Amex cards in a very short period of time. apply for 2 Hilton cards at the same time might raise questions or if you have an existing Delta card apply for another one. But I think they are less likely to scrutinize your record if you have normal organic spend on their cards and keeping some cards for long term use.
Jun 8, 2018, 8:50 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
I think everyone should be worried. The "as well as other factors" means that they can deny you the bonus for whatever reason they choose. It also means that there is no way for you to argue that you are entitled to the bonus. My guess is that this language is meant to combat the CFPB complaints that some applicants have made in order to get Amex to issue the bonus or get some sort of compensation. I for one don't think I've done anything to warrant them withholding a bonus in the future and it gives me pause. If for whatever reason (glitch or mistake) you don't get a bonus they can just reply with that open-ended language as the justification for not fixing the glitch or mistake.
The funny thing is AMEX is the one who approves all of these cards within a short period of time, and then turns around and complains that certain customers are eating away at their profits by collecting multiple bonuses in a short period of time.
Raise your underwriting criteria to not allow more than one approval every six months and not more than one bonus in a lifetime. Problem solved.
Jun 8, 2018, 10:21 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508