Mar 30, 2015, 7:53 am
Last edit by: TravelingZoomer
American Express typically allows USA cardholders to have a maximum of four credit cards, plus an unspecified number of charge cards. Personal and Business cards count against this cap. Some individuals have more credit cards if opened before the cap was instituted. Anecdotal evidence indicates the limit may have been raised to five in early 2016.
Edit: As of May 19, 2020, Amex has confirmed the limit is four lending (credit) cards, and ten charge cards. Source
Centurion, Platinum, Plum, Gold, and Green are charge cards.
American Express issues both charge and credit cards for three co-brand partners:
All others are credit cards. This includes all variants of Everyday, Blue, and many discontinued cards. It includes all co-branded cards currently issued for:
Edit: As of May 19, 2020, Amex has confirmed the limit is four lending (credit) cards, and ten charge cards. Source
Centurion, Platinum, Plum, Gold, and Green are charge cards.
American Express issues both charge and credit cards for three co-brand partners:
- Charles Schwab
- Morgan Stanley
All others are credit cards. This includes all variants of Everyday, Blue, and many discontinued cards. It includes all co-branded cards currently issued for:
- Delta
- Hilton
- Lowes
- Marriott
Amex USA 4 or 5 "Credit" Card Limit.
Nov 20, 2017, 6:13 pm
#421
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
Can I exceed 4 AMEX credit cards with a targeted offer?
I have received a targeted offer for an AMEX credit card. I already have 4 AMEX credit cards. I understand that 4 is the limit that AMEX allows. Will AMEX allow me an additional card given that it is a targeted offer?
Nov 20, 2017, 6:23 pm
#422
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
I'm not certain if the targeted offer will make a difference but there are several DPs on other forums where AMEX has allowed people to have 5 credit cards (I presume you know that credit cards and charge cards are not the same and are not counted the same.) There doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern to it - from what I've read - but just a YMMV. Some get a max of 4, some get a max of 5.
You didn't ask but there are also several instances where people with four cards applied, got denied, then called recon to cancel one of their existing cards in order to obtain approval for the new app. That may or may not be an option you'd wish to consider.
You didn't ask but there are also several instances where people with four cards applied, got denied, then called recon to cancel one of their existing cards in order to obtain approval for the new app. That may or may not be an option you'd wish to consider.
Nov 21, 2017, 5:52 am
#423
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States
Programs: Hilton, marriott, IHG, Club Carlson, United Airlines,timeshare owner
Posts: 213
I had 1 amex card, Within the last 3 to 4 months I have applied for and received 6 more, for a total of 7. I had not realized there is a limit. Was also hoping to apply in January for the new Aspire card if the sign up bonus is good. I sure hope there isn't a problem. .
Nov 21, 2017, 8:57 am
#424
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Nov 21, 2017, 1:01 pm
#425
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
There is a limit on credit cards; there is no limit to charge cards. I suspect you have a mixture of the two.
Nov 21, 2017, 3:17 pm
#426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I'm not certain if the targeted offer will make a difference but there are several DPs on other forums where AMEX has allowed people to have 5 credit cards (I presume you know that credit cards and charge cards are not the same and are not counted the same.) There doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern to it - from what I've read - but just a YMMV. Some get a max of 4, some get a max of 5.
You didn't ask but there are also several instances where people with four cards applied, got denied, then called recon to cancel one of their existing cards in order to obtain approval for the new app. That may or may not be an option you'd wish to consider.
You didn't ask but there are also several instances where people with four cards applied, got denied, then called recon to cancel one of their existing cards in order to obtain approval for the new app. That may or may not be an option you'd wish to consider.
Dec 1, 2017, 1:31 pm
#427
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 406
AMEX card count
Need helping on deciding if I should close an account now or wait until applying for a new card.
I currently have 5 active AMEX card and would like to apply for the New Hilton card in 2018 (the one with Diamond Status). The amount of cards I currently have may impact my approval status for the new card. Should I cancel the Hilton card right now in hope that in 2018, I will be approve for the new card or should I just apply in 2018 and let Amex contact me to decide on which card to close?
Current card:
SPG
Hilton
Hilton Surpass
Delta Gold Personal
Delta Gold Business
Any recommendation on which card to cancel?
I currently have 5 active AMEX card and would like to apply for the New Hilton card in 2018 (the one with Diamond Status). The amount of cards I currently have may impact my approval status for the new card. Should I cancel the Hilton card right now in hope that in 2018, I will be approve for the new card or should I just apply in 2018 and let Amex contact me to decide on which card to close?
Current card:
SPG
Hilton
Hilton Surpass
Delta Gold Personal
Delta Gold Business
Any recommendation on which card to cancel?
Dec 1, 2017, 3:29 pm
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
For AMEX offers?
Though I too, wonder why the poster would have 2 cards in each cobrand. Does not seem to serve any purpose other than the sign up bonuses and with the current T&Cs, that cards canceled within 12 months after opened, risk the bonus being clawed back or the review by the RAT.
Though I too, wonder why the poster would have 2 cards in each cobrand. Does not seem to serve any purpose other than the sign up bonuses and with the current T&Cs, that cards canceled within 12 months after opened, risk the bonus being clawed back or the review by the RAT.
Dec 4, 2017, 9:49 am
#430
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 406
Dec 4, 2017, 3:00 pm
#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
With the new T&C languages on cracking down the churning, cards opened and canceled within 12 months are risking bonus claw back. So you are in a tough position on which card to cancel. Though I suspect canceling the HH Blue while keeping the HH surpass should not cause any harm given there are enough reasons to justify the cancellation of the basic card and you are still paying AMEX for the fee card.
Jan 16, 2018, 2:10 pm
#433
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 45
I understand that Business Cards count toward 5 Credit Card Limit. But how about employee card? In addition to my 3 personal cards, I have Simply Cash Business and Delta Gold Business, both are employee cards. Are they count and effect my 5 card limit?
Last edited by ttsai; Jan 16, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Jan 30, 2018, 5:35 pm
#434
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,269
Let's assume you are at Amex's limit for cards, and you want to close one and then apply for another. How long do you have to wait after cancelling to apply? Would one day do it? Cancel today, assume Amex's systems run overnight to recognize the new card count and then I should be able to apply tomorrow?
Jan 30, 2018, 5:48 pm
#435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Let's assume you are at Amex's limit for cards, and you want to close one and then apply for another. How long do you have to wait after cancelling to apply? Would one day do it? Cancel today, assume Amex's systems run overnight to recognize the new card count and then I should be able to apply tomorrow?
