Timing Your American Express Card Applications for the Best Welcome Offers
A guide to determining the best time to apply for popular American Express cards based on their offer history.
The welcome offer is a key factor in deciding whether to apply for a travel rewards credit card. However, these offers can change frequently, making it difficult to determine whether a particular offer is worth applying for at any given moment.
## Understanding American Express Welcome Offers
American Express offers some of the best cobranded and proprietary rewards cards available from any issuer. To make the most of these offers, it's essential to understand how they work and when to apply for each card.
## American Express Cards and Their Welcome Offers
Here are some of the most popular American Express cards, along with guidance on when to apply for each:
| Card Name | Highest Welcome Offer | When to Apply | | --- | --- | --- | | American Express Platinum Card | 350,000 points | Apply when the welcome offer is 150,000 points or more | | The Business Platinum Card from American Express | 300,000 points | Apply when the welcome offer equals or tops 200,000 points | | American Express Gold Card | 100,000 points | Apply when the welcome offer is at least 60,000 points | | American Express Business Gold Card | 200,000 points | Apply when the welcome offer is 100,000 points or more | | American Express Graphite Card | $1,500 cash back | Apply for the current offer if you're interested in the card | | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | No variation in welcome offer | No specific guidance on when to apply |
## American Express Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum has long been one of the most popular premium cards on the market, despite its steep $895 annual fee. It offers a slew of luxury-skewing, value-added benefits that can save cardmembers money on everything from airline fees to hotel stays.
## The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Amex Business Platinum often extends even more lucrative welcome offers than its personal counterpart and offers many of the same luxury perks, though some of its statement credits are focused on typical business expenditures.
## American Express Gold Card
The Amex Gold is an excellent everyday choice for foodies since it earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and on up to $25,000 per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar spent).
## American Express Business Gold Card
The Amex Business Gold card is great for small businesses thanks to its strong earning structure. It earns 4 points per dollar spent on your top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle (up to $150,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent).
## American Express Graphite Card
The American Express Graphite Card is Amex's newest card. With a $295 annual fee, it's aimed at high-spending businesses that want to earn cash back with American Express.
## Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash-back cards currently available, with high 6% cash back earning rates on U.S. streaming subscriptions and U.S. supermarkets (U.S. supermarkets are subject to a $6,000 spending cap per calendar year, then 1%).
In conclusion, understanding the welcome offers on American Express cards is crucial to making the most of these rewards cards. By knowing when to apply for each card, you can maximize your rewards earnings and make the most of your travel rewards strategy.
