More Points, Please: 5 Ways I Look for Hidden Amex Welcome Offers

Did you know you can earn more points or miles by taking advantage of targeted American Express welcome offers?

These are personalized promotions that differ from one individual to another and can appear as an upgrade incentive for your existing Amex card or as a custom welcome bonus for a new card.

For instance, you might have one set of welcome offers on your Amex card, while your partner sees entirely different ones on theirs. That’s the targeted nature as they’re designed specifically for you, but they’re worth hunting for and incorporating into your rewards strategy.

Let us show you how these work — and how you can find the best possible opportunities yourself.

What Are Targeted Amex Card Offers?

Targeted offers are exclusive promotions for select individuals and fall under 2 main groups:

• Bonus points or miles for upgrading your existing card to a more premium card in that same family (for example, changing from one Hilton card to another Hilton card)
• Welcome bonus offers encouraging you to apply for a specific Amex card

The first type encourages you to upgrade your current card for another within the same family. For example, I have an incentive to upgrade my Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card to the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within 6 months of upgrading.

What’s great is that accepting the upgrade offer doesn’t require an inquiry on your credit report and doesn’t add a new account to your report. You’ll preserve the account history, benefiting your credit score.

The second type of targeted offer incentivizes you to apply for a new card, even if you don’t have any cards in the same rewards family. Whether you hold similar cards is irrelevant. These welcome offers may be displayed in your account, indicating you’re preapproved for the card.

Based on personal experiences from both my account and my wife’s, these targeted offers with welcome bonus offers may bypass the typical American Express application rules. For example, application terms on Amex cards typically say you can’t earn the welcome bonus offer on a particular card if you’ve had that card in the past — or even stricter terms that may say you can’t earn the bonus if you’ve had other cards in that same rewards program.

However, both my wife and I have received welcome bonus offers to apply for cards we’ve previously had (and closed), and the terms said the targeted offer would allow us to get the card and earn the bonus again — despite Amex typically prohibiting this.

How To Find Targeted Amex Offers

Here are the 5 strategies I use to reliably find upgrade opportunities or elevated welcome bonus offers.

1. Apply Directly Through American Express

On certain American Express cards, you’re able to apply and find out the exact welcome bonus offer for which you’re qualified upon approval. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer:

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express: Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• American Express^® Gold Card: Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

What’s great about this method is that your credit score won’t be impacted. American Express performs a soft credit check when you apply, considering factors such as your credit score and income to determine your eligibility and potential welcome bonus offer.

If you choose not to proceed, you can exit the application without any impact on your credit. However, if you accept the welcome offer and move forward with opening the account, a hard credit inquiry may be conducted.

The Amex Platinum card has one of the best welcome offers we’ve seen of all time, and the plethora of travel benefits make the $695 annual fee (rates & fees) worthwhile.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Likewise, if you qualify for the top welcome bonus offer on the Amex Gold card, this is easily something worth jumping on:

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

2. Subscribe to Amex Emails

Another way to receive personalized welcome offers is by making sure you’re subscribed to marketing emails from Amex.

After logging in to your account, navigate to the Account Services option from the top menu, or click this link to get there. Next, choose Alerts and Communications. On the next page, choose Marketing Email Preferences.

On this page, ensure the box is checked for Offers to receive promotional emails from Amex. You’ll get offers unrelated to credit card bonuses, but you’ll also open the door to promotional offers.

3. Sign Up for Mail From Amex

Amex might send you targeted offers by mail, but only if you allow these communications.

From the Account Services menu, click on Security and Privacy. From here, choose Privacy Preferences to access your options. Allowing mail for marketing purposes is the only way to get bonus offers in your mailbox, though you’ll also receive stuff you don’t care about, unfortunately.

4. Check the Amex Offers Section

You might find targeted offers in the Amex Offers section of your account after logging in.

While you might typically see these offers for bonus rewards on purchases, the Featured tab in this section might reveal offers like bonus points for adding an authorized user, extra rewards on spending, or offers to apply for a new card with a targeted bonus.

Lastly, log in to your account and click on the menu in the top-left corner. From here, click on Cards. The menu that opens on the right side will have View All Credit Cards and View All Business Credit Cards as options. Clicking on these — but only after logging in — will reveal personalized offers based on your account.

5. Check the American Express Website

Lastly, you can log onto your Amex online account and check the Cards tab. I’ve highlighted some current offers my wife and I have received.

My wife has the American Express^® Green Card, and she currently has an offer to earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points by upgrading to the Amex Gold and spending $1,000 on purchases with the new card within 6 months.

The information regarding the American Express^® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Her Amex Green card also shows an offer to upgrade to the Amex Platinum card and earn 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 on purchases with the new card within 6 months.

However, not every card will show an offer. My Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card is clearly labeled as Your Card, and the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card doesn’t list any special upgrade offer — just the public welcome offer for new applicants.

Going through the page for personal and small business cards and scrolling through every card shown can help you find any offers targeted to you. Compare these against Amex’s publicly available welcome bonus offers to ensure you understand their differences and make an informed decision before submitting an application or accepting an upgrade offer.

Final Thoughts

Finding targeted Amex card offers can be very lucrative. It’s a cornerstone of the points and miles strategy my wife and I use year after year. Now that you know where to look for them, you can take advantage of these valuable offers.