American Express credit cards – 5 Tips you should know

After reading Brian’s Guide to American Express Membership Rewards, you might be either applying for your first Amex card, finishing up your cycle of Gold Personal–Gold Business–Platinum Personal–Platinum Business cards, or making a second round of the cycle.

Wherever you are, here are 5 tips to support your American Express applications.

Context for Tips #1-2

American Express has a clause where if you are approved for the same card a second time, you cannot receive the bonus points again. However, how often that rule is enforced is not that often, especially with these first two tips.

The efficacy of these tips may vary but are generally regarded as best practices in the community. These tips have been consistent for the past few years but may change at any moment.

Tip #1: Do NOT check off “I am an existing American Express Cardmember”

… when applying for the same card you have previously received the sign-up bonus for.

The consensus amongst the crowd is you will have a greater chance to receive the bonus points again if you ignore the checkbox asking if you are currently an American Express cardmember. The theory is Amex’s system will notate your submission as a new member application and automatically distribute the bonus without cross referencing if you’ve received it before.

Tip applicable all to American Express cards.

Tip #2: Use a different business name

… when applying for the same business card you have previously received the bonus for.

To be eligible for the bonus on the same card again, apply under a different business that you have or under the same business as before but with a variation to the name.

For example, if I had previously held a Gold Business card under PointsNerd, I would not use PointsNerd on my next application. I would use another business like my main profession as Chao Business Consulting or I would just use a variation of the PointsNerd name such as PointsNerd Marketing.

Tip applicable to Gold Business or Platinum Business card.

Tip #3 Merge your Membership Rewards accounts before closing an account

When you close a card with a balance of Membership Reward points, you will have a couple options. Either you use the points within 60 days of closing or contact Amex to move your points to another Membership Rewards account. You can do the latter by calling or sending a secure message in your online account.

If you have another Membership Rewards account, it’s always better to merge and keep your points flexible rather than forcing a redemption or transfer.

Tip applicable all to American Express cards.

Tip #4 Apply for the American Express Platinum Personal in June/July

With the Platinum Personal card, your first annual fee of $699 grants you a $200 travel credit for the rest of the year and another $200 travel credit for the following year before your second annual fee. It’s important you give yourself time to utilize 2 x $200 travel credit benefit to reduce your first annual fee of $699 to only $299.

If you get approved for the card in June/July 2018, you will have at least 5 months to utilize your 2018 travel credit before the end of the year. You will also have at least 5 months to utilize your 2019 travel credit from January to June/July 2019 when your second-year annual fee is charged.

If you don’t plan to extend the card past the first year, be sure to cancel a minimum of 1 month before the second annual fee to avoid potential issues with American Express not fully refunding the second annual fee.

Tip applicable to the Platinum Personal card.

Tip #5 Call the New Accounts team to expedite the application process

Unless you have a stellar credit score, you will most likely receive an application pending status with a 17-digit reference number.

Instant approvals seem to be rare with Amex and although they may have instantly approved you, a lot of times they still want to speak with you to confirm your identity before issuing you the card.

This is why it’s totally normal to have the American Express New Accounts phone number on your cellphone. Right guys? Okay, not normal but at least it’s not on speed dial.

The number is 1-800-575-2273 and they are open from weekdays 8:30-21:00 ET and Saturday 10:00-18:00 ET.

Calling them to provide any missing information will expedite the time for you to receive your new card. Super helpful if you have an upcoming trip or a large purchase that would contribute to your minimum spend of your new card.

Tip applicable all to American Express cards.

Current Ranking

And there you have your 5 tips you should know for Amex!

If you are starting a new cycle of American Express cards, here are my current preferred order of cards to apply for.

1. American Express Gold Business– 40,000 Membership Rewards after $5,000 spend – No Annual Fee for the First Year
2. American Express Platinum Personal– 60,000 Membership Rewards after $3,000 spend – $699 Annual Fee (get that to $299 – info in the review)
3. American Express Platinum Business– 60,000 Membership Rewards after $7,000 spend – $499 Annual Fee
4. American Express Gold Personal– 25,000 Membership Rewards after $1,500 spend – $150 Annual Fee

Do you have any tips I missed? Share with us below!