Reconsideration Phone
Personal Cards
800.528.4800
Business Cards
800.492.3344

Associated Point Systems

Breaking Points

March 5, 2024

Mini Points - March 2024

- Amex Bonvoy Brilliant - Earn 185,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650 annual fee.

- Amex Bonvoy Bevy - Earn 155,000 points after spending $5000 in 6 months, $250 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors Surpass - Earn 155,000 points after spending $3000 in 6 months, $150 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors Aspire - Earn 175,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $550 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors - Earn 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $0 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Earner - 75,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $0 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Earner + - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $75 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Business - 50,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months + 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in 12 months, $95 annual fee.

February 13, 2024

Mini Points - February 2024

- IHG Mastercard, earn 165,000 points after spending $3000 in the first 3 months, $99 annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Amex Business, 100,000 points after spending $8000 in the first 6 months, $350 annual fee.

- Delta Gold Amex Business, 80,000 points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $0 annual fee, then $150 after first year.

- Delta Reserve Amex Business, 110,000 points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months, $650 annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Amex, 90,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 6 months, $350 annual fee.

- Delta Gold Amex, 70,000 points after spending $3000 in the first 6 months, $150 annual fee.

- Delta Reserve Amex, 100,000 points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $650 annual fee.

October 23, 2023

Mini Points - October 2023

Here are the most recent Limited Time Offers on Cards that are NOT Chase Cards:

- AAdvantage Citi Business Card - 75,000 AA miles after spending $6000 in 6 months $0 annual fee for the first year.

- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card - 170,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $3000 in the first 6 months, $150 annual fee.

- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - 180,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $550 annual fee.

- Hilton Honors American Express Card - 100,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $2000 in the first 6 months, No annual fee.

September 25, 2023

Marriott American Express Cards Limited Time Offer

- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card - 2 Free Night Awards at 85,000 Points hotels after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650 annual fee.

- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card - 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5000 in 6 months, $250 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

Best Banks For Points »