American Express just changed the credit card application game. Their new "as high as" welcome bonus system lets you see your personalized offer before committing - all without impacting your credit score.

Key Details

• Amex Platinum: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in 6 months
• Amex Gold: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
• No initial credit impact: Soft pull only until you accept the card
• Personalized offers: Your bonus depends on creditworthiness and other factors
• Immediate visibility: Know your exact bonus before accepting

How to Take Advantage

Step 1: Apply Directly Through AmexHead to the American Express website and apply for either the Platinum Card or Gold Card. You'll see your personalized offer immediately upon approval. While you're considering these cards, check out our comparison of Amex Platinum vs. Gold to see which fits your lifestyle better.

Step 2: Check CardMatch for Targeted Offers
The CardMatch tool often shows elevated bonuses. We've seen reports of 175,000-point Platinum offers through this channel - significantly higher than standard public offers. This tool performs a soft credit check to match you with personalized offers from partner banks.

Step 3: Enable Amex Marketing EmailsLog into your Amex account and opt-in to "New Card and Credit Offers" under email preferences. Targeted offers often arrive via email. If you're already an Amex cardholder, you might want to review our guide on American Express Retention to maximize your existing cards too.

Value Assessment

At our valuation of 2.2 cents per Membership Rewards point:

• 175,000 points = $3,850 in value
• 100,000 points = $2,200 in value

These represent some of the highest welcome bonuses we've ever seen from American Express. For context, the Platinum's standard public offer was previously 80,000 points, making the 175,000-point offer a massive 95,000-point improvement.

To maximize these points, you'll want to understand American Express Transfer Partners. Tools like Point.Me can help you search for award availability across multiple airlines, while Roame Travel specializes in finding sweet spot redemptions.

Smart Ways to Meet the Spending Requirements

Meeting $6,000-$8,000 in spending might seem daunting, but there are strategic approaches:

• Pay taxes, insurance, and other large bills with your new card
• Use Upside for cash back on gas purchases that stack with your credit card rewards
• Consider business expenses if you're self-employed - tools like Wave Apps can help track spending

For those who value airport lounge access, remember that the Platinum Card includes Priority Pass membership along with access to Amex Centurion Lounges. Read more about the Amex Centurion Lounges to understand this valuable benefit.

The Bottom Line

This new application process removes the guesswork from credit card applications. You'll know exactly what you're getting before any credit impact occurs. If you've been waiting for the right time to add an Amex Platinum or Amex Gold to your wallet, this is it.

Act fast - American Express can change these offers at any time. Check your personalized offer today to see if you qualify for these elevated bonuses. For ongoing tracking of the best credit card offers, bookmark resources like Frequent Miler's Best Credit Card Offers page.

For more insights on maximizing these cards, check out our guides on Decoding Amex Sign-Up Bonuses and The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers.

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