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The Secret to Getting Higher Sign-Up Bonuses for American Express Cards

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

    Did you know that you could get higher sign-up bonuses for American Express cards than what’s publicly available?

    American Express sends out special offers (typically via mail) to folks they see as desirable customers.

    You Can Get a Higher Sign-Up Bonus for AMEX Cards If You’re Targeted

    There are a few steps you can take to make sure you receive these special offers from AMEX.

    AMEX Targeted Offers

    Emily and I recently received a couple of AMEX offers in the mail including:

    American Express Premier Rewards Gold

    We got an offer for 50,000 AMEX Membership Rewards points when you spend $1,000 within 3 months on the American Express Premier Rewards Gold card.

    You Can Get an Extra 25,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points With the AMEX Premier Rewards Gold Card If You’re Targeted

    This is much better than the public deal which will only give you 25,000 points when you spend $2,000 within 3 months!

    The American Express Premier Rewards also includes:

    American Express SimplyCash

    The largest public offer for the AMEX SimplyCash card is $250 cash back when you apply by September 21, 2015.  However, we got an offer in the mail for a better offer.

    Check Your Postal Mail and You May Find You Can Apply for a Higher Sign-Up Bonus

    The American Express SimplyCash card benefits include:

    How to Increase Your Chances of Getting AMEX Targeted Offers

    No one knows exactly how AMEX determines which potential customers to target.  But here’s some ideas of how you can increase your chances of receiving better bonuses from American Express:

    1.   CardMatch Tool

    You may get a better offer using the CardMatch tool as well!  American Express has previously targeted folks for higher offers on the Platinum, Premier Rewards Gold and Delta cards through the CardMatch tool.

    You have to enter your social security number, but it is a soft credit inquiry which will not show up on your credit report.

    And you could get a mega sign-up offer!

    2.   Be a Desirable Customer

    Perhaps the best thing you can do to increase your chances of being targeted by AMEX is to maintain a good credit score and pay your bills on time.  If you haven’t been responsible with your credit, you’re unlikely to get a lucrative offer.

    3.  Register a New Business

    I registered a new business in Texas and there was a slight misspelling of my name on the registration.  I started receiving targeted offers with my name misspelled the same way.   So AMEX may be pulling information from new business registrations.

    4.   Opt-in With the 3 Credit Bureaus

    You can also opt-in at OptOutPrescreen.  This will allow the 3 credit bureaus to provide your information to credit card and insurance companies.  However, this could possibly put a lot of junk mail in your box.

    How to Sign-Up to Receive Targeted AMEX Offers

    Opt-in to Receive Offers From AMEX

    Oh, and opt in for American Express to send you mail!

    Step 1 – Login to Your AMEX Account & Update Your Contact Information

    Sign-in to your American Express online account.  Then click on “Profile & Preferences.“

    Click “Profile & Preferences” in Your Online Account

    Then click  “Update Contact Information” from the drop down menu.

    Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Correct To Ensure You Receive Any AMEX Credit Card Offers
    Step 2 – Give AMEX Permission to Send You New Credit Card Offers

    Click “Communication & Alerts Preferences”

    After You Update Your Contact Information Click “Communication & Alerts Preferences”

    Then Click on “General Marketing & Email Preferences.“

    Click General Marketing & Email Preferences
     Then select “Yes” to receive new credit card offers.
    Opt-in to Receive Information About New Credit Cards and Credit Card Offers From American Express
    Step 3 – Keep an Eye Out for New Offers!

    Check your mail often as well as your spam box.  You can also use the CardMatch tool to see if you are targeted for any offers that you may have missed.

    Bottom Line

    You may be able to get a better sign-up bonus for certain American Express cards, if you’re targeted.

    AMEX wants to attract good customers with these offers.  So you are a better candidate if you have a good credit score and pay your bills on time.  You can also increase your chances of getting a targeted offer by opting-in to receive credit card marketing information from American Express.

    Let us know what targeted offers you’ve received from AMEX!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)