What an Amex bonus is and how you earn it
An American Express sign-up bonus is a reward offer that comes with opening a new card. You earn the bonus by spending a set amount of money within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. Once you hit that spending threshold, Amex deposits the bonus into your account as statement credits, points, or miles, depending on which card you opened.
The bonus is not automatic. You have to meet the spending requirement. If you open a card and never use it, or use it but don't reach the threshold, you won't receive the bonus. Amex will not extend your important date or lower the spending amount if you fall short.
Different Amex cards offer different bonuses. A business card might offer 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. A consumer card might offer $200 in statement credits after you spend $3,000 in the first six months. The bonus you see advertised is the one you'll receive if you meet the terms — there is no negotiation or variation based on your credit score or history.
Key Takeaways
- You earn an Amex bonus by spending a specific dollar amount within a specific number of months after opening the card.
- The bonus posts to your account automatically once you meet the spending requirement; you do not need to request it.
- Bonuses vary by card type and change over time, so the offer you see today may differ from the offer next month.
- You can only earn a sign-up bonus once per card product in a set period, usually 24 months.
- Annual fees, if any, are charged separately and are not waived by the bonus.
How to find current Amex bonus offers
The easiest place to see current offers is the American Express website itself. Go to americanexpress.com, navigate to the credit cards section, and browse by card type — personal, business, or small business. Each card listing shows the current sign-up bonus offer, the spending requirement, and the timeframe you have to meet it.
Amex also sends targeted offers to existing cardholders by email and mail. These offers sometimes differ from the public offer on the website. If you receive an offer in the mail or email, check the terms carefully — some targeted offers have higher bonuses or lower spending requirements than the public version.
Third-party credit card websites also list Amex offers, but always verify the terms on americanexpress.com before you explore. Websites sometimes display outdated information, and Amex can change offers without notice.
Understanding the spending requirement
The spending requirement is the total amount you must charge to the card within the stated timeframe. If the requirement is $3,000 in three months, you need to put $3,000 of purchases on that card by the end of month three. Partial progress counts — if you spend $2,000 in month one and $1,500 in month two, you've met the requirement.
Most everyday purchases count toward the requirement: groceries, gas, utilities, restaurants, online shopping. Some things do not count: balance transfers, cash advances, wire transfers, and fees. If you're unsure whether a specific purchase counts, contact Amex customer service before you make it.
You can meet the spending requirement by combining your own purchases with purchases you make on behalf of others, as long as you're charging them to your card. Some people pay bills for family members or prepay for upcoming expenses to reach the threshold faster. This is allowed, but make sure you can actually afford to pay the balance when the statement arrives.
When the bonus posts to your account
Amex typically posts the bonus within one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. If you hit the threshold on day 85 of a three-month window, the bonus may not appear for another 30 to 60 days. This delay is normal and does not mean something went wrong.
You can track your progress toward the bonus in your Amex account online or in the mobile app. Log in, find the card, and look for a section labeled "Rewards" or "Bonus Progress." It will show you how much you've spent and how much you still need to spend. This tracker updates every few days, not in real time.
If you believe you've met the spending requirement but the bonus hasn't posted after 60 days, contact Amex customer service. Have your statement ready and be prepared to list the purchases you made. Amex will investigate and post the bonus if the spending is confirmed.
The one-bonus-per-card rule and timing
You can earn a sign-up bonus on an Amex card only once every 24 months for that specific card product. If you opened the Blue Cash Preferred card in January 2023 and earned the bonus, you cannot earn another bonus on that same card until January 2025. You can, however, open a different Amex card and earn a bonus on that one.
Amex tracks this by card product name, not by card number. If you close the card and reopen it, the 24-month clock does not reset. You still have to wait the full 24 months from when you first earned the bonus.
Some people open multiple Amex cards in the same year to earn multiple bonuses. This is allowed, but each process will show up on your credit report and may temporarily lower your credit score. Space out applications by at least a few months if you plan to open more than one card.
Annual fees and how they interact with the bonus
Many Amex cards charge an annual fee, ranging from $95 to $550 or more depending on the card. The sign-up bonus does not waive this fee. If you open a card with a $95 annual fee and earn a $200 bonus, you still owe the $95 fee. The bonus and the fee are separate charges.
Some cards offer a first-year annual fee waiver, meaning you don't pay the fee in year one but you do pay it in year two and beyond. Check the card's terms to see if this applies. If there's no waiver mentioned, assume you'll be charged the full annual fee in the first year.
The bonus value should be weighed against the annual fee. If a card offers a $150 bonus but charges a $95 annual fee, your net benefit in year one is $55. If you don't plan to use the card after earning the bonus, that $55 may not be worth the effort. If the card offers ongoing rewards that you'll use, the annual fee may be justified.
What happens after you earn the bonus
Once the bonus posts, you own it. Amex cannot take it back. You can use it when ready as a statement credit, redeem it for points, or let it sit in your account. The bonus does not expire.
After the bonus period ends, the card works like any other credit card. You'll earn rewards on purchases at the card's standard earning rate. You'll also be charged the annual fee each year on the card's anniversary date, unless you close the card before that date.
If you decide the card isn't worth keeping after earning the bonus, you can close it at any time. There is no penalty for closing a card early. Just make sure you've paid off any remaining balance first, and consider whether closing it will affect your credit score (closing a card can temporarily lower your score by reducing your available credit).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn an Amex bonus if I already have an American Express card?
Yes, as long as it's a different card product. If you have the Blue Cash Preferred and want to open the Gold Card, you can earn a bonus on the Gold Card. You cannot earn another bonus on the Blue Cash Preferred for 24 months from when you first earned it.
What if I don't meet the spending requirement in time?
You won't receive the bonus. Amex does not extend important date or offer partial bonuses. If you're close to the threshold, you can make additional purchases before the important date ends, but there's no second chance if you miss it.
Do balance transfers count toward the spending requirement?
No. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not count. Only regular purchases of goods and services count toward the requirement. Check your statement to confirm which transactions counted.
Can I use the bonus to pay my annual fee?
It depends on the bonus type. If your bonus is statement credits, yes — the credits will reduce your balance and can cover the annual fee. If your bonus is points or miles, you'll need to redeem them separately for a statement credit first, then use that credit to pay the fee.
What if Amex changes the bonus offer after I explore but before I'm approved?
You'll receive the bonus that was in effect when you submitted your process, not the new offer. Amex locks in the offer at the time you explore, so you're protected from changes during the approval process.