Reconsideration Phone
Personal Cards
800.528.4800
Business Cards
800.492.3344

Associated Point Systems

Breaking Points

September 12, 2024

American Express Delta Cards Making a Splash

- Delta Platinum Business - 100,000 miles after spending $8000 in 6 months, $350/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Business - 90,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months, $0/annual fee, then $150/annual fee.

- Delta Reserve Business - 110,000 miles after spending $12000 in 6 months, $650/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Personal - 90,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months, $350/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Personal - 80,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months, $0/annual fee, then $150/annual fee.

- Delta Reserve - 100,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650/annual fee.

July 30, 2024

Mini Points - August 2024

- American Express Gold Card - Limited Time Offer 90,000 Points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $325/annual fee (with lots of perks to off-set the annual fee).

- American Express Marriott BonVoy Brilliant - Limited Time offer 185,000 Points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650 annual fee ($300 Dining credit - $25/month towards restaurants).

June 14, 2024

Mini Points - July 2024

LIMITED TIME DEALS:

- IHG Traveler Chase card - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months - $0/annual fee.

- Southwest Plus Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $69/annual fee.

- Southwest Premier Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $99/annual fee.

- Southwest Priority Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $149/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Business Amex card - 65,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Reserve Business Amex card - 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 6 months - $650/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Business Amex card - 55,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Amex card - 50,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Amex card - 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- AA Executive Citi card - 70,000 miles after spending $7000 in 3 months - $595/annual fee.

May 27, 2024

Mini Points - June 2024

- Citi Strata Premier Mastercard - 75,000 bonus points, spend $4000 in 3 months, $95/annual fee.

- Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express card - 5 Free Nights, spend $8000 in 6 months, $125/annual fee.

- Hilton Honors Surpass American Express card - 130,000 points + 1 Free Night, spend $3000 in 6 months, $150/annual fee.

- Hilton Honors Business American Express card - 175,000 points, spend $8000 in 6 months, $195/annual fee.

- Hilton Honors American Express Card - 70,000 points, spend $2000 in 6 months, No annual fee.

- Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card - 175,000 points, spend $6000 in 6 months, $550/annual fee.

Bank

American Express

Visit 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

Amex 3/90

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

No 5/24

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

Amex 1/10

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:

Rank 2^nd

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