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American Express frequently sends out offers for members to enroll in their Pay Over Time feature. Oftentimes, these include promotional points offers of 10,000 Membership Rewards. But, American Express has recently been sending out targeted offers for 20,000 Membership Rewards when enrolling in Pay Over Time.
Let's explain what Pay Over Time is and how to check if you're targeted for this amazing promotion.
What is Pay Over Time
Pay Over Time is an “extended payment plan” that allows American Express Card Members to revolve certain charges with interest. Amex describes this feature as “a convenient borrowing option that gives Card Members more flexibility to choose how and when they pay.” While it's great to have flexibility when you need it, the interest rates are incredibly high.
The good news is that you only pay interest charges when you carry a balance. This means that as long as you pay off your balance in full, you can enroll in Pay Over Time and take advantage of the promotional offer without worrying about interest charges.
Purchases of $100 or more are automatically moved into your Pay Over Time balance each month. So, it's important to stay on top of your card balance otherwise you can end up with some hefty interest charges that negate any points earnings.
Bonus Points Offer
- Targeted members can earn 20,000 Membership rewards when enrolling in Amex's Pay Over Time.
- There are no fees to enroll or requirements to use the service.
- Bonus Membership Rewards will post within 8-12 weeks after enrollment is approved.
- Only select Membership Rewards earning cards like the American Express® Gold Card are eligible for Pay Over Time.
- Make sure to check your email and traditional mail for the offer. Email subject lines may include:
- “You Qualify for a Flexible Payment Option”
- “You’ve Been Selected to Enroll in a Flexible Payment Option”
- “Congratulations, Card Member. You’ve Been Selected to Enroll in a Flexible Payment Option on Your Card”
- Or, you can check this link to see if there are any offers
How to Enroll and Un-enroll in Pay Over Time
If you've already enrolled in Pay Over Time, you can easily un-enroll by using this link here. You'll want to un-enroll so that sometime down the road you will hopefully be targeted for one of these promotions. Cardmembers who are already enrolled in Pay Over Time are not eligible for bonus offers.
Once you are sure you are not enrolled, you’ll want to wait for an offer to register for Pay Over Time. Amex will send an email or letter in the mail letting you know you are eligible to receive a bonus when enrolling.
Sometimes American Express will send out emails or letters reminding you to enroll. However, some letters don't offer additional Membership Rewards points. So, make sure to pay attention to the email so you don’t miss out.
Not sure how valuable Membership Rewards points are? Check out 5 Excellent Transfer Strategies for Amex Membership Rewards.
Final Thoughts
If you have been targeted for this Pay Over Time offer, don’t walk. Run! This is yet another incredible incentive from Amex that doesn’t involve much work or virtually zero risks.
20,000 extra Membership Rewards points alone are more than enough to outweigh the annual fee on some of these cards. Add in the crazy retention offers Amex has been handing out like candy at they are as good as paying members to keep their cards open.
Were you targeted for this 20,000 Membership Rewards points offer?
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I was automatically enrolled in this program with my Platinum card, but dismissed my participation based on this article. Hopefully that puts me on the radar for the targeted promotion. I can see why Amex might want people to be in the program, but it’s a net neutral feature if you adhere to a budget and pay your bill in full every month.
Yes, I’ve been targeted and have been tempted by the rather lucrative offer, especially since my spending on the AmEx has been fairly dismal this past year. However, I have not had a chance to research the questions/concerns I have about the offer and appreciate your detailed research that answers almost all my questions. My only question I have not had a chance to research and/or see in your research, is how long must one be signed up for the program, before they can unenroll without the reward points being cancelled by AmEx? As travel begins to resume in earnest and as most travel purchases with my AmEx are over the $100 threshold, I do not want to be constantly checking the account to be sure I do not accidentally incur interest as I pay all my cards in full each month.
That’s a good question! And an apt one with how sensitive Amex can be about “gaming”. That said, I’m not sure how long would be “safe”. Personally, I’d probably wait 3 billing cycles. As long as you pay your account balance each month, you should be set.