American Express · How many cards you can hold
American Express 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.
- Applies to
- American Express credit cards, personal and business combined
- Where it comes from
- 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.
- Last verified
- September 26, 2026
How it works
- Charge cards (no preset spending limit) have a separate, higher ceiling, reported at around 10.
- To open a sixth credit card, applicants close one first.
American Express cards these apply to
More American Express rules
Welcome bonus eligibility
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
Card families
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
Card families
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
How fast you can apply
One card every 5 days
American Express usually approves no more than one credit card every 5 days.
Reported by applicants
How fast you can apply
Two cards in 90 days
American Express usually approves no more than two credit cards in any 90 days.
Reported by applicants
Card families
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