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Continuing with its effort of adding “family” language to what now seems like all of its credit card offerings, American Express rolled out new terms on the American Express® Green Card. Yes, there are now more restrictions on who can receive a welcome offer on the card.
For the unfamiliar, “family” language refers to your eligibility for a credit card, based on whether or not you have or have had cards that earn the same type of rewards. So, if you're looking to delve into the world of Membership Rewards, you'll need to read the fine print first. Doing so ensures you're eligible for the bonus on your card of choice.
Here's what you need to know about the new terms attached to Amex Green Card applications.
New Family Rule on Amex Green Card
This isn't the first time “family” language has been introduced to a Membership Rewards-earning card. American Express has added similar terms to applications for the The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, plus many other cards that offer rewards in different currencies. All that is to say, this was an easy one to see coming.
Now, in addition to a bevy of other application rules, American Express has added the following language to applications for the Amex Green Card:
“You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Platinum Card®, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, the Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, the American Express® Gold Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.”
If that's a lot to read, here's a quick summary: Having other Amex cards — now or in the past — can make you ineligible for a welcome bonus on the Amex Green Card. This comes in addition to the other rules you need to navigate when applying for an American Express credit card:
- No more than five American Express credit cards at any given time.
- No more than 10 American Express cards without preset spending limits at any given time.
- Maximum of two new cards in a 90-day period.
- Can only earn the welcome bonus on the same card once per lifetime.
Thankfully, American Express' welcome offer eligibility tool will still warn you of your ineligibility before your application is processed.
Final Thoughts
If you were looking to bag a welcome bonus on the Amex Green Card, there are now new rules you need to contend with. The inclusion of “family” language means you may not qualify for the welcome bonus based on what Amex cards are currently in your wallet or have been in it in the past.
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