The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history

One of the best reasons to apply for a travel rewards card is the welcome offer. By hitting certain minimum spending requirements, you can often earn tens of thousands of points or miles within the first few months of opening a new card

However, welcome offers change all the time, and part of any successful travel rewards strategy is knowing when it's the right time to apply for a specific card. After all, you wouldn't want to miss out on a haul of bonus points by applying too early — or too late.

However, without tracking the welcome offers on specific cards over time, you might not have the context you need to know whether a particular offer is worth applying for at any given moment.

Luckily, we've done that work for you and compiled all of the information you'll need into one handy guide. You can also check our frequently updated list of the best increased card offers to apply for.

In this article, we'll focus on American Express, which fields some of the best cobranded and proprietary rewards cards available from any issuer.

Best American Express welcome offers

Here are some of the most popular Amex cards, with guidance on when you should apply for each.

Just note that we're only discussing publicly available welcome offers. Some folks may receive targeted offers with more bonus points or cash back. Additionally, offers may change at any time, and some of the offers mentioned below may not be available at this time.

Keep in mind that American Express only allows you to earn one bonus per lifetime on each of its cards, so make sure to wait for the best time to apply.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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CardMatch Tool

It's also always a good idea to check the CardMatch tool to see if you might be eligible for higher offers on specific cards, such as The Platinum Card from American Express or the American Express Gold Card. These targeted offers can change at any time, however, and not everyone will be targeted for the same offers.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express has long been one of the most popular premium cards on the market, despite its steep $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

It offers a slew of luxury-skewing, value-added benefits that can save cardmembers money on everything from airline fees to hotel stays. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Amex Platinum:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG's May 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

When the Amex Platinum ran its highest-ever offer, applicants could earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, they could earn 10 points per dollar on "Shop Small" purchases in the U.S. and at restaurants worldwide (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases) in the first six months of card membership. This could lead to a total of 250,000 additional points.

When to apply

Generally, aim to apply for this card only if you can secure a welcome offer of 100,000 points or more, whether through a targeted offer, the CardMatch tool or a limited-time offer.

Learn more: Amex Platinum

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express 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. Cardmembers pay the same $695 annual fee for the Business Platinum as the consumer Platinum (see rates and fees).

Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Amex Business Platinum:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG's May 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we've seen for the Amex Business Platinum was 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases with the card in the first three months of card membership and another 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 total in the first three months of card membership.

When to apply

Any time this card's welcome offer tops 100,000 points, it's worth considering. But if you get an offer — whether targeted or public — for 120,000 points or more, don't wait.

Learn more: Amex Business Platinum

American Express Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is an excellent everyday choice for foodies since it earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar) and on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar). These are solid earning rates for a card with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees).

It has also fielded some outstanding welcome offers.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Amex Gold:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG's May 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The best public welcome offer we've seen on this card was short-lived. In June 2022, the Amex Gold upped its welcome offer for new applicants to 100,000 bonus points after they spent $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. It only lasted a few days.

When to apply

Consider applying when the welcome offer is above 60,000 points, and seriously consider hitting that "apply" button any time it tops 75,000 points.

Learn more: Amex Gold

American Express Business Gold Card

The American Express Business Gold card is great for small businesses thanks to its strong earning structure. It racks up 4 points per dollar on your top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Cardmembers will need to pay $375 each year to have this card (see rates and fees).

It has also provided some tremendous welcome offers in the past.

Welcome offer history

Since July 2024, the Amex Business Gold has offered an elevated welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months of card membership.

This is the first time the Amex Business Gold has changed its public welcome offer since April 2021.

Highest welcome offer

This card previously offered up to 130,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership, but not all applicants were eligible.

When to apply

If you see an offer for this card with over 90,000 points and a spending requirement that you and your small business can easily meet, it's worth applying.

Learn more: Amex Business Gold

American Express Green Card

The American Express Green Card provides a compelling offering in the mid-tier travel category. The Amex Green is a card that modern travelers should consider. It earns 3 points per dollar on travel, restaurants and transit, as well as up to $199 each calendar year as a statement credit for Clear Plus (which helps offset its $150 annual fee).

Enrollment is required for the Clear Plus benefit; terms apply.

Welcome offer history

The Amex Green has only offered an elevated welcome offer once in the past several years, from May 2023 to August 2023. This offer was the highest we have seen on this card.

Since then, new Amex Green cardmembers can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Highest welcome offer

The highest offer we've seen on this card was 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, new cardmembers could earn 20% back on travel and transit purchases in their first six months of card membership for up to $200 back.

When to apply

If you see an offer for this card for more than 45,000 points, it's worth applying.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash-back cards currently available, with high 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) These earning rates help justify its $95 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees).

Users receive cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that they can redeem as a statement credit or at Amazon checkout.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred:

Welcome offer history

Highest welcome offer

This card's welcome offer doesn't vary much, but it has offered up to $350 cash back (as a statement credit) after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

When to apply

This card hasn't offered an elevated welcome bonus in a few years, so it may not be worth waiting for a higher offer. That said, we may see another offer for $300 or more back in the future.

Learn more: Blue Cash Preferred

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Though its earnings aren't as solid as the Blue Cash Preferred, the Blue Cash Everyday still racks up cash back at a steady clip. This card's lower earning rates are understandable, given that it lacks an annual fee (see rates and fees).

Users receive cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that they can redeem as a statement credit or at Amazon checkout.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Amex Blue Cash Everyday:

Welcome offer history

Highest welcome offer

With this card's best-ever welcome offer, new cardmembers could earn up to $250 cash back: First, they could earn 20% back as a statement credit on purchases (up to $150 back) when using the card to check out with PayPal at merchants in the first six months of card membership. Plus, they could earn $100 back as a statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.

When to apply

Go for the easiest offer with a sizable amount of cash back (at least $200) and manageable spending ($2,000 or under).

Learn more: Blue Cash Everyday

Delta American Express cards

American Express is the sole issuer of Delta's cobranded consumer and business cards. Amex's Delta cards feature elevated offers more commonly than most of their proprietary cards, so it's very important to know when it's the right time to apply.

If you're interested in one of Amex's Delta cards, check out our guide on Delta's cards' offer history to help you decide when it's the best time to apply.

Hilton American Express cards

American Express offers a range of cobranded Hilton cards to suit every traveler, from beginners to hardcore Hilton loyalists. Like Amex's Delta cards, the Hilton cards receive elevated welcome offers more frequently than the cards we've featured in this guide.

If you're interested in one of Amex's Hilton cards, we have a guide on when it's the best time to apply, based on the offer history of all the Hilton cards.

Marriott American Express cards

Marriott's portfolio of cards can be more challenging to track, since they have cards issued by Chase and American Express. American Express and Chase don't necessarily put elevated offers on their Marriott cards at the same time. Plus, both issuers have their own application rules and restrictions.

If you're interested in one of Amex's Marriott cards, we have a guide on all of the Marriott cards' offer histories to help you know when it's the right time to apply.

Bottom line

Pay attention to the welcome offers of any travel rewards cards you may be interested in, as offers can change frequently. Applying at the wrong time could mean missing out on thousands of bonus points or hundreds of dollars in cash back.

Before applying for any new card, look at the range of its previous welcome offers. Then, when an offer hits the higher end of that range, you can feel sure you're getting a great deal and making the right choice for your rewards strategy.

To learn more about credit card bonus offers over time, see the following:

• The best time to apply for these popular Capital One credit cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these popular Citi cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these 10 popular travel credit cards based on offer history

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday, click here.