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American Express Credit Cards have a “once per lifetime” rule. That means that “usually” you can only get one of their signup bonuses once in a lifetime per card. This makes it really important to apply for one of their cards when the signup bonus is at an all-time high.

We love American Express Membership Rewards®, the bonus points that you get with American Express credit cards like the American Express® Gold Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and the American Express Green Card®. They are transferable points, which means they can be transferred to the airlines and hotels that Amex partners with. These include:

• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• KLM
• Alitalia,
• ANA
• Cathay Pacific
• British Airways
• Delta
• Emirates
• Etihad
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Qatar Airlines
• Qantas Airlines
• Singapore
• Virgin America
• Virgin Atlantic
• Hilton
• Choice
• Marriott

Exceptions to the Lifetime Rule

Occasionally, you might get an offer for an Amex credit card that doesn’t have the lifetime rule in its terms and conditions. This doesn’t happen that often, but it does happen. I’ve been looking for one for some time and finally got one. I have The Business Platinum Card® from American Express for my small business. Earlier this year, I was offered that card again. I totally expected to see a pop-up bubble saying I wouldn’t get the bonus signup when I applied, but I didn’t.

I received an email offering this, and I initially thought it was a mistake since I already had the card. I read on other sites that people were getting it again, so I decided to apply.

150,000 Membership Rewards is a great bonus. This equals at least 165,000 Membership Rewards after meeting the minimum spend, and I can use that towards an international flight I was planning on the card. I was immediately approved for the card. That was a big minimum spend, but we were able to use it to pay my husband’s estimated taxes (he’s self-employed), which worked out great.

Reportedly, after about 7 or so years, the lifetime rule ends. I guess it really isn’t a lifetime rule but more of a 7+year rule. Some people claim that American Express “forgets” you had the card about 7 years after canceling it. If you give this a try and aren’t eligible, you’ll get a pop-up that will let you know. From there, you can cancel the application. Some have even had success with this before the 7 years.

Bottom Line

In the meantime, make sure you sign up for AMEX cards when they have a great bonus, and keep a lookout for American Express signup offers that don’t have the lifetime rule. You may get lucky, as I did, and get the signup bonus again! Have you ever gotten an AMEX bonus more than once?