A complete guide to Amex’s 1-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions

These days, nearly every major credit card issuer has rules in place to prevent applicants from repeatedly earning welcome offers, and American Express is no exception. While Amex doesn't follow a defined policy like Chase's 5/24 rule, it has its own restrictions on card applications and welcome offers.One of the most important restrictions is Amex's once-per-lifetime rule, which limits cardmembers to earning one welcome offer per card.That makes timing your application important. Applying for a new Amex card today could disqualify you from earning an even higher welcome offer in the future. Here's what you need to know about Amex's once-per-lifetime rule and how it could affect your next credit card application.Related: The best American Express credit cardsWhat is the Amex once-per-lifetime rule?More than a decade ago, American Express allowed you to earn welcome offers on the exact same card multiple times. However, since 2014, the issuer has clamped down on welcome offer eligibility and limited cardmembers to one welcome offer per card per lifetime, regardless of how long it has been since they last held that card.MASKOT/GETTY IMAGESFor example, you can apply for the American E...