American Express

Reconsideration Phone
Personal Cards
800.528.4800
Business Cards
800.492.3344

Associated Point Systems

Breaking Points

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Surpass
Hilton Honors Surpass

Hilton Honors Surpass is offering 130,000 points + 1 free night after spending $3 000 in 6 months with a $150 annual fee.. That's up 1 free night over their standard offer of 130,000 after spending $2000 in 6 months. Offer expires 4/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is offering 70,000 points + 1 free night after spending $2000 in 3months with a $0 annual fee.. That's up 1 free night over their standard offer of 80,000 after spending $1000 in 3 months. Offer expires 4/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Aspire
Hilton Honors Aspire

Hilton Honors Business is offering 175,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months with a $550 annual fee.. That's up 25,000 points over their standard offer of 150,000 points after spending $4000 in 6 months. Offer expires 04/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Business
Hilton Honor Business

Hilton Honors Business is offering 175,000 points after spending $8000 in 6 months with a $195 annual fee.. That's up 45,000 points over their standard offer of 130,000 points after spending $3000 in 6 months. Offer expires 04/29/25.

Bank

American Express

The Highlights

American Express is a core bank to the points strategy. But because it has looser approval strategies, we recommend applying for Amex cards after Chase and Capital One. (Amex Membership Points review can be viewed here>)

Amex Business cards don’t show up on your personal credit report. That’s a great advantage because you can get Amex cards virtually any time without it impacting your points strategy. Additionally, if you’re an existing Amex card holder and apply for an Amex Business card, you won’t even get a credit inquiry on your credit report.

The ‘bad” news? Amex has a “one bonus per lifetime” per card limitation -- so generally, you want to wait for special limited-time offers to maximize the points on the only time you’ll be allowed to get the bonus. You can qualify for variations of that card, however. For example, you can get the Amex Delta Gold bonus one year… then later get the Amex Delta Platinum card, and the Amex Delta Platinum Business card when their bonuses are beefy.

Amex is a virtual treasure trove of points that you can qualify for nearly anytime. Just don’t abuse it. We recommend keeping at least one Amex card with an annual fee long term, showing you’re a loyal customer. Other approval rules are below>

When points appear

American Express points usually show up 1 or 2 days after the charges are finalized. Normal spending will always post a day or two after the following statement has closed.

Application Rules

You'll be declined if you apply for a fourth Amex card in 90 days

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card per lifetime (yours or that version of the card)

What to Know Before Canceling

Before you close a credit card, you should double-check that you’ve maxed out every available benefit. If your card offers annual statement credits, find a way to use those up.

Best for Series

Below is a snapshot of where this bank performs best compared to the other banks in our database:

Breaking Points

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Surpass
Hilton Honors Surpass

Hilton Honors Surpass is offering 130,000 points + 1 free night after spending $3 000 in 6 months with a $150 annual fee.. That's up 1 free night over their standard offer of 130,000 after spending $2000 in 6 months. Offer expires 4/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is offering 70,000 points + 1 free night after spending $2000 in 3months with a $0 annual fee.. That's up 1 free night over their standard offer of 80,000 after spending $1000 in 3 months. Offer expires 4/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Aspire
Hilton Honors Aspire

Hilton Honors Business is offering 175,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months with a $550 annual fee.. That's up 25,000 points over their standard offer of 150,000 points after spending $4000 in 6 months. Offer expires 04/29/25.

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors Business
Hilton Honor Business

Hilton Honors Business is offering 175,000 points after spending $8000 in 6 months with a $195 annual fee.. That's up 45,000 points over their standard offer of 130,000 points after spending $3000 in 6 months. Offer expires 04/29/25.