7 rules
American Express application rules
American Express has 7 application and bonus rules worth knowing before you apply: 4 are in American Express's own terms, and 3 are reported by applicants.
- In the issuer's terms
- The issuer states this, in a card's terms or an official statement.
- Reported by applicants
- The issuer has never stated this. It is a pattern many applicants have reported, consistent enough to plan around, but not a guarantee.
How often can I apply?
One card every 5 days
American Express usually approves no more than one credit card every 5 days.
Reported by applicants
Two cards in 90 days
American Express usually approves no more than two credit cards in any 90 days.
Reported by applicants
How many cards can I hold?
Five credit cards at once
American Express usually lets you hold up to 5 of its credit cards at one time. Charge cards sit outside that limit.
Reported by applicants
Will I get the welcome bonus?
Welcome offer once per lifetime
American Express generally pays a card's welcome offer once per lifetime: if you have had that card before, you most likely won't get its offer again.
In the issuer's terms
Which cards count as one family?
Green, Gold and Platinum family
Having a more expensive Membership Rewards card blocks the welcome offer on a cheaper one: the Platinum blocks the Gold, and the Gold or Platinum blocks the Green. To earn all three, apply Green, then Gold, then Platinum.
In the issuer's terms
Delta SkyMiles family
On the personal Delta SkyMiles cards, you can only earn a welcome offer on a card more expensive than any Delta card you have or have had.
In the issuer's terms
Marriott Bonvoy cards across Amex and Chase
Marriott Bonvoy cards are issued by both American Express and Chase, and each card's terms can block its bonus if you recently opened, or recently earned a bonus on, a Marriott card from either bank.
In the issuer's terms
American Express cards these apply to
Questions about American Express's rules
What is American Express's Welcome offer once per lifetime?
American Express generally pays a card's welcome offer once per lifetime: if you have had that card before, you most likely won't get its offer again. This is in American Express's own terms.
What is American Express's Green, Gold and Platinum family?
Having a more expensive Membership Rewards card blocks the welcome offer on a cheaper one: the Platinum blocks the Gold, and the Gold or Platinum blocks the Green. To earn all three, apply Green, then Gold, then Platinum. This is in American Express's own terms.
What is American Express's Delta SkyMiles family?
On the personal Delta SkyMiles cards, you can only earn a welcome offer on a card more expensive than any Delta card you have or have had. This is in American Express's own terms.
What is American Express's One card every 5 days?
American Express usually approves no more than one credit card every 5 days. American Express has never published this; it is reported by applicants.
What is American Express's Two cards in 90 days?
American Express usually approves no more than two credit cards in any 90 days. American Express has never published this; it is reported by applicants.
What is American Express's Five credit cards at once?
American Express usually lets you hold up to 5 of its credit cards at one time. Charge cards sit outside that limit. American Express has never published this; it is reported by applicants.
What is American Express's Marriott Bonvoy cards across Amex and Chase?
Marriott Bonvoy cards are issued by both American Express and Chase, and each card's terms can block its bonus if you recently opened, or recently earned a bonus on, a Marriott card from either bank. This is in American Express's own terms.