AMEX Has Different Rules for Bonuses on Personal and Business Cards

Million Mile Secrets

10 years ago

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AMEX recently changed their rules, where you can’t the bonus on a particular PERSONAL card if you had the card previously. But the rules appear to be different for business and personal cards.

American Express

Link: The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN

You can NOT get the sign-up bonus on an American Express personal card twice. i.e. you won’t get the bonus on the personal Starwood card if you ever got the bonus on the personal card before.

In the past, some folks would re-apply for credit cards to get the sign-up bonus again, especially when American Express offered high sign-up bonuses. However, American Express recently changed the rules for personal cards. But not for business cards.

But the terms suggest that you may be able to get the sign-up bonus again on an American Express business card as long as you didn’t have the card in the last 12 months. This makes sense because business card holders spend a lot on their cards and banks don’t want to alienate them!

Business cards are considered different card products from personal cards and have different rules and ways to qualify for a business card. You can get a sign-up bonus for business AND personal cards, even for the same card.

The application page has different terms and conditions for business and personal cards.

Personal cards have the following in the terms and conditions:

If we identify you as currently having an American Express® Card account, you may not be eligible for this welcome bonus offer. This offer is also not available to applicants who have or have had this product.

But the business cards have a 12 month disclaimer:

Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product within the last 12 months.

So if you had The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN over 12 months ago, you may be able to get the card again.

If You Cancelled an AMEX Business Card Over 12 Months Ago, You Might Get the Sign-Up Bonus Again

But if you currently have the card or had it 11 months ago, you will NOT get the sign-up bonus.

Bottom Line

American Express business cards have different terms and conditions, which suggest that you may be able to get the sign-up bonus on an AMEX business card as long as you didn’t have the same card within the last 12 months!

But you can NOT get the sign-up bonus again on an American Express personal card.

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