What Does AMEX’S “Once Per Lifetime” Rule Mean?

Earning sign-up bonus with new cards is the fastest way to Big Travel with Small Money!

While some banks let you earn a sign-up bonus with the same card more than once, American Express says you can only earn a bonus once per card per lifetime.

But there might be an exception to the AMEX rule.

There’s a Secret That Might Allow You to Earn an AMEX Sign-Up Bonus More Than Once!

I’ll share what that exception may be with the American Express sign-up bonus rules!

American Express Sign-Up Bonus Rules

Link: AMEX Restricts Sign-Up Bonuses to Once Per Lifetime

Link: Can You Earn More Than One Sign-Up Bonus With the Same AMEX Business Card?

I’ve written about AMEX restricting sign-up bonuses to once per card per lifetime. This rule applies to personal AND small business cards.

Even if you apply for the same small business card for different companies you own, you can still only earn one sign-up bonus.

But folks on FlyerTalk and Reddit say it’s possible to earn a sign-up bonus on the same AMEX card more than once if it’s been more than 7 years since you closed the card.

If It’s Been More Than 7 Years Since You Had an AMEX Card, You’re Potentially Eligible to Earn the Sign-Up Bonus on the Card Again!

For example, if you previously had the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express, but cancelled the card in 2009, you can re-apply today and potentially earn the sign-up bonus again.

Data points indicate besides earning the sign-up bonus 7+ years ago, you must also have closed the card then, too.

Keep in mind, the language in the AMEX credit card offers say:

“Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product.”

So I can NOT guarantee you’ll earn the sign-up bonus more than once. But it might be worth a shot!

Folks report other exceptions too. For example, some targeted offers do NOT include the restrictive sign-up bonus language.

How Does Re-Applying for AMEX Cards Impact Chase 5/24?

Link: Do Chase’s Stricter Approval Rules Now Apply to All of Their Cards?

Link: If You Don’t Know This AMEX Secret, You’re Missing Out!

If it’s been 7+ years and you decide to re-apply for an AMEX card to earn the sign-up bonus again, there are a few things to consider.

First, it’s possible when you re-apply, you’ll get approved for the card, but will NOT earn the sign-up bonus.

Because the 7 year timeframe is an unofficial rule. So AMEX doesn’t have to honor the sign-up bonus if you’ve had the card before.

Before You Apply for the Same AMEX Card Again, Consider It’s Possible to Get Approved and NOT Earn the Sign-Up Bonus. Because the 7+ Year Waiting Period Is Just an Unofficial Rule!

And unless it’s an AMEX small business card, the new account will appear on your personal credit report and will count against Chase’s card limits.

If you’ve opened ~5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months (excluding certain business cards), it’s unlikely you’ll get approved for most Chase cards. And Chase has some of the top cards for folks looking to earn travel rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

That said, if you apply for an AMEX card and are denied, it won’t make a difference for your future Chase bonuses. Because only new cards count toward the limit and not just a credit inquiry.

Bottom Line

According to folks on FlyerTalk and Reddit, it’s possible to earn a sign-up bonus on the same AMEX card more than once. But it must be 7+ years since you earned the bonus and closed the card.

I can’t guarantee you’re eligible to earn multiple sign-up bonuses with the same card because the language in the AMEX terms & conditions is strict!

Keep in mind, if you re-apply and are approved for a personal AMEX card, the new account will count toward Chase’s card limits. But this is NOT the case for AMEX small business cards.

I’d love to hear your experience in the comments..