How to Get Your AMEX Welcome Bonus Points Faster!
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.Have you recently opened an AMEX credit card account and are anxiously awaiting the welcome bonus?
It could be a while before those points hit your account!
How Long Does It Typically Take to Get Your Welcome Bonus?
You can usually expect to see your welcome bonus credited to your account after:
- You’ve met the minimum spending requirement
- Your bill has been paid
- And your monthly statement has closed
This process means it may be 2 to 4 months after you’re approved for your card before the bonus points hit your account. But what if there’s a limited-time deal or you want to book a last-minute trip?
Tips for Getting Your Points Faster!
Here are ways you can expedite the process:
1. Change the Statement Closing Date
Once you receive your card in the mail, you can contact AMEX using the number on the back of your card to change your statement closing date. The sooner your statement closes, the sooner you’ll receive your bonus!
2. Complete Minimum Spending Requirements Quickly
An important step to earning the welcome bonus is meeting the minimum spending requirement on your new card.
Some folks who have a good history with AMEX have reported receiving their points as soon as they complete the spending on the card. So it’s important to get this step out of the way quickly.
Check out my 40+ ways to meet minimum spending requirements, if you need some help!
3. Make Your Payment as Soon as Possible
American Express usually wants to make sure you can pay your bills before they fork over the points.
4. Turn on the Charm!
If you’ve completed the above steps and still don’t have your points, it’s time to start turning on the charm and ask nicely!
You can get in touch with American Express using the number on the back of your card. Or log into your account to use the online chat and secure message features. This doesn’t work for everyone, but many folks have had success.
More importantly, be persistent! Some folks were denied 3 or 4 times before they finally found someone who was willing to help!
Bottom Line
It can take a few months to get the welcome bonus from your new American Express card. But if you’re in a pinch and really want those points right away, there are steps you can take to speed up this process.
When your card arrives, call AMEX to request an earlier statement closing date. Then meet your minimum spending requirements and pay your bill quickly.
Finally, explain why you need the points and ask nicely. Being persistent with this last step can really pay off and many folks have received their points early! Good Luck!!!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve been able to get your AMEX welcome bonus expedited!
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! :)
Join the Discussion!