New card application bonus denied - Appeal?
Aug 25, 2018, 9:50 am
#1
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New card application bonus denied - Appeal?
I tried applying online for the Amex SPG Business card with 100k bonus after $5,000. I got the dreaded popup notice that I would not be eligible for the signup bonus. I've read blogs extensively and know that I meet all the obvious criteria of the merged Marriott / Starwood joint card programs.
I called Amex asking the reason for the denial and the agent, after calling a few departments within Amex, couldn't find any information. His suggestion: Apply for the card and call back once I'd received it.
I called today, with the new card in hand, and the agent confirmed I was denied the bonus. The reason was still vague "based on my bonus history".
Is there any way to appeal a denied enrollment bonus?
I called Amex asking the reason for the denial and the agent, after calling a few departments within Amex, couldn't find any information. His suggestion: Apply for the card and call back once I'd received it.
I called today, with the new card in hand, and the agent confirmed I was denied the bonus. The reason was still vague "based on my bonus history".
Is there any way to appeal a denied enrollment bonus?
Last edited by edsh; Aug 25, 2018 at 10:24 am
Aug 25, 2018, 11:37 am
#2
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The advice to ignore the automated warning and apply was poor. I do not see how you can appeal until you know the specific problem with your history. Have you ever held an SPG Business card? Have you applied for American Express cards, made the minimum spend for a bonus, and then cancelled?
Aug 25, 2018, 12:12 pm
#3
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The blogosphere noted upfront some possible denial reasons; owning more than 5 Amex cards, or, beginning next week, qualifying for Chase branded Marriott cards. I was careful to satisfy each of these requirements before applying. I've never read Amex denying solely based on use on other Amex cards (e.g. Delta and Hilton) - not to say they wouldn't do that but it sure is a grey area.
Last edited by edsh; Aug 28, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Aug 25, 2018, 12:46 pm
#4
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I've never applied for a an Amex Business Card. I do have Amex Delta and Hilton cards - and used them minimally - enough to satisfy the bonus requirement.
. I've never read Amex denying solely based on use on other Amex cards (e.g. Delta and Hilton) - not to say they wouldn't do that but this but it sure is a grey area.
. I've never read Amex denying solely based on use on other Amex cards (e.g. Delta and Hilton) - not to say they wouldn't do that but this but it sure is a grey area.
Guessing Amex's algorithm didn't like that you open cards, get the bonus, and stop using them. Hence the no bonus popup.
Aug 25, 2018, 1:53 pm
#5
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https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1913138-amex-usa-restricts-bonuses-based-number-accounts-opened-closed-june-2018-a.html
Guessing Amex's algorithm didn't like that you open cards, get the bonus, and stop using them. Hence the no bonus popup.
Guessing Amex's algorithm didn't like that you open cards, get the bonus, and stop using them. Hence the no bonus popup.
Aug 25, 2018, 2:34 pm
#6
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Based off the OP's statement (emphasis mine):
I made the conclusion that there wasn't ongoing use. If my conclusion was wrong, the OP is more than welcome to correct me. 
Aug 25, 2018, 3:35 pm
#7
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That's correct. To borrow a phrase I've read online, Delta and Hilton are "sock drawer" cards.
Last edited by edsh; Aug 25, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Aug 25, 2018, 10:30 pm
#8
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Aug 26, 2018, 7:45 am
#9
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Aug 26, 2018, 9:51 am
#10
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I got this same popup on the 23rd when I tried to apply for the SPG Luxury card. In my case, the past year I closed an SPG Business card at 13+ months after not using it after the signup bonus was satisfied (except again for a couple hotel stays a couple months later, but then never again), and closed a Delta Business card at 13+ months after not using it after the signup bonus was satisfied (because that year didn't mesh with a need for Delta paid flights). I also have a Hilton cards I've used for Hilton stays throughout the year and an Everyday card I use most months, but I guess in view of the 2 cards I cancelled after many months of no use it's not surprising.
But in my case I anticipated that possibility and had another card I was thinking of applying for instead, so I've moved on and applied for a Chase card instead. Amex lost out on $150-$450 (first year net AF or first year actual AF) because they gave me this popup. I wonder if they should adjust the popup to be more lenient when the AF is not waived the first year?
But in my case I anticipated that possibility and had another card I was thinking of applying for instead, so I've moved on and applied for a Chase card instead. Amex lost out on $150-$450 (first year net AF or first year actual AF) because they gave me this popup. I wonder if they should adjust the popup to be more lenient when the AF is not waived the first year?
Last edited by sdsearch; Aug 26, 2018 at 9:57 am
Aug 26, 2018, 5:33 pm
#11
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Just got the popup when applying for the Amex Blue Plus Business card. My wife just got the card and I had her refer me so we'd both get 10K bonuses. Or so I thought until I got the popup, at which point I stopped the application. I only have two other Amex cards in my name (I'm assuming AU cards don't count towards the 5 card limit), so it must be that I opened and closed the Plat Biz card in 2015-16 when the AF came due.
Aug 27, 2018, 7:33 pm
#12
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Just got the popup when applying for the Amex Blue Plus Business card. My wife just got the card and I had her refer me so we'd both get 10K bonuses. Or so I thought until I got the popup, at which point I stopped the application. I only have two other Amex cards in my name (I'm assuming AU cards don't count towards the 5 card limit), so it must be that I opened and closed the Plat Biz card in 2015-16 when the AF came due.
Aug 28, 2018, 3:20 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
I got this same popup on the 23rd when I tried to apply for the SPG Luxury card. In my case, the past year I closed an SPG Business card at 13+ months after not using it after the signup bonus was satisfied (except again for a couple hotel stays a couple months later, but then never again), and closed a Delta Business card at 13+ months after not using it after the signup bonus was satisfied (because that year didn't mesh with a need for Delta paid flights). I also have a Hilton cards I've used for Hilton stays throughout the year and an Everyday card I use most months, but I guess in view of the 2 cards I cancelled after many months of no use it's not surprising. I canceled my personal SPG card in May, but I used that one VERY heavily for 1 year. I also got the Premier Gold card for the bonus and then stopped using it, but have not canceled it yet. I have a Hilton Ascend card that I use infrequently, mostly for Hilton stays only.
But in my case I anticipated that possibility and had another card I was thinking of applying for instead, so I've moved on and applied for a Chase card instead. Amex lost out on $150-$450 (first year net AF or first year actual AF) because they gave me this popup. I wonder if they should adjust the popup to be more lenient when the AF is not waived the first year?
But in my case I anticipated that possibility and had another card I was thinking of applying for instead, so I've moved on and applied for a Chase card instead. Amex lost out on $150-$450 (first year net AF or first year actual AF) because they gave me this popup. I wonder if they should adjust the popup to be more lenient when the AF is not waived the first year?
I may try on the Hilton Personal Aspire later this year, and see if I get the pop up again. Over the years I have hit AMEX pretty hard, so I cannot be that upset with them. It's just unfortunate because they were so easy to get, for so long, with no hard pulls and auto approval towards the end.
Aug 28, 2018, 1:43 pm
#14
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One of the cards is the Amex Everyday Preferred which I use extensively. The other is the Hilton Ascend which I used only occasionally, but I have kept it open past the 12 month date and paid the AF. I intend to keep it open too.
Aug 28, 2018, 7:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,220
Cut-off
I think they cut us off... few years ago we applied pretty much for every card that carried MR bonus. Never had SPG cards and Mrs herzmeh never had Plat. When she tried applying for Plat and SPG Luxury, she got -
"based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, or the number of cards you have opened and closed, you are not eligible to receive this welcome offer"
I got the same when I tried applying for Luxury I got the same...
"based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, or the number of cards you have opened and closed, you are not eligible to receive this welcome offer"
I got the same when I tried applying for Luxury I got the same...