Hello again everyone. Back in 2015, I got approved for my first Amex, which was the Green card. I responded to a mailer which had no sign on bonus. At the time, I didn't know much about American Express, so I was unaware of sign on bonuses and the once-per-lifetime rule. Last year, I was approved for another Green card. (The first one was closed, as were all my other cards, when I went through financial issues in 2019.) Guess what? I got the sign on bonus of 45,000! At first it seemed too good to be true, and I was worried that they would claw back the points, but they didn't. I do recall doing an online chat and mentioning that I had never had a sign on bonus, so perhaps the CSR I spoke with noted that on my profile. Anyway, I just thought I'd share.
@ptatohed wrote:I don't know much about AmEx but if it is true that there is a one time only intro bonus rule, and you have never received an intro bonus before, I am not understanding the surprise of receiving your first one?
It has long been believed that if you had a particular card, that you were automatically ineligible for a sign on bonus, even if you didn't get a sign on bonus before for that card. My experience proves otherwise. As I stated, it could be because I mentioned it in a chat and the CSR noted that on my account. When I applied for the card, I didn't get a pop up saying I was ineligible, but I didn't actually think I would get it until those bonus points showed up in my account.
@NoMoreDebt wrote:sounds like its because you didn't get one in 2015. I also previously had the Green Card and did get a bonus with it but ended up in a bk7 in 2015 and Amex was IIB. I just Friday night got approved again for the Green Card but I got the pop up saying I wasn't eligible for the SUB as i had the card before.
Hello. Congratulations on getting back in with Amex. It really is a great feeling, isn't it? I do think it's nice that Amex has those pop-ups when applying, as it allows the customer to make better choices.
The once per lifetime rule isn't really once per lifetime. You can get it more than once. But, typically you're talking about 20 years between approvals. There are other rare exceptions like when the gold was revamped to the the prg and to the current version. Multiple people reported receiving the sub again. As mentioned by the OP, normally if you already had the card, you're ineligible for the SUB. I doubt the conversation had anything to do with it as the decision is computer based, but it's a good data point.
@ptatohed wrote:I don't know much about AmEx but if it is true that there is a one time only intro bonus rule, and you have never received an intro bonus before, I am not understanding the surprise of receiving your first one?
the language is typically 'no bonus if you have or have had the card in the past'
there can also be offers without the 'have or have had' language, which would allow for another SUB
'in the past' typically means 7+ years, but can mean forever
