Rules · American Express · Card families
American Express: 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 The issuer states this, in a card's terms or an official statement.
What counts, and what doesn't
Applies to: American Express Green, Gold and Platinum (personal)
“You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Platinum Card®, the American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, the American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Charles Schwab, the American Express® Gold Card or previous versions of these Cards.”
From the card's terms
- That is the Green Card's wording. The Gold's terms name the Platinum; the Platinum's name only itself and its Schwab and Morgan Stanley versions.
- Moving up is fine: having had the Green doesn't block the Gold or Platinum offer.
- The Schwab and Morgan Stanley Platinum cards count as Platinum.
Sources
- Military Money Manual: Amex family language (quotes each card's terms)
- The Points Analyst: American Express application rules (Jan 2026)
Issuers can approve, decline or withhold a bonus for any reason. These rules describe what usually happens, not a promise of what will. Last verified September 26, 2026.
More American Express rules
Welcome offer once per lifetimeIn the issuer's terms
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.
Delta SkyMiles familyIn the issuer's terms
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.
One card every 5 daysReported by applicants
American Express usually approves no more than one credit card every 5 days.
Two cards in 90 daysReported by applicants
American Express usually approves no more than two credit cards in any 90 days.
Five credit cards at onceReported by applicants
American Express usually lets you hold up to 5 of its credit cards at one time. Charge cards sit outside that limit.
Marriott Bonvoy cards across Amex and ChaseIn the issuer's terms
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.