COVID-19: New American Express measures

May 6, 2020

Updated Jul 9, 2024

Travel COVID-19: New American Express measures

To the point American Express has just announced several new measures for Cardmembers following the COVID-19 pandemic.

New measures of American Express Canada Welcome Bonus Extension Offer Refunds

New measures of American Express Canada

Several measures have been put in place by American Express in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about it on this page:

Insurance coverage
Refunds
American Express Travel
Information for AIR MILES Cardmembers
Information for Aeroplan Cardmembers
Information for Marriott Bonvoy Cardmembers
Event information
Delivery Services and Delays

Here are some explanations for some of these measures.

Welcome Bonus Extension Offer

You can find information about Welcome Bonus extension offers on this page.

Here are the questions and answers:

How do I know if I’m eligible for the welcome bonus extension?

Due to the impact of COVID-19, we offered an extension to the welcome bonus offer period of 6 months on eligible cards that were acquired between Jan 22 and June 30th, 2020. If you acquired a Card during this time that came with a welcome bonus offer that required you to meet a minimum spend threshold in the first 3 months (4 months for Small Business Cards) of Cardmembership then you most likely qualify for an extension.

The following cards are eligible:

American Express^{^®} AeroplanPlus^{^®*} Gold Card
American Express^{^®} AeroplanPlus^{^®*} Platinum Card
American Express^{^®} AIR MILES^{^®*} Credit Card
American Express^{^®} AIR MILES^{^®*} Platinum Credit Card
American Express^{^®} AIR MILES^{^®*} Reserve Credit Card
American Express^{^®} AIR MILES^{^®**} for Business Card
American Express^{^®} AIR MILES^®** Gold Business Card
American Express Business Edge^™ Card
American Express^{^®} Business Gold Rewards Card
Business Platinum Card^{^®} from American Express
American Express Cobalt^™ Card
American Express^{^®} Gold Rewards Card
Marriott Bonvoy^™ American Express^{^®} Card
Marriott Bonvoy^™ Business American Express^® Card
The Platinum Card^{^®}
SimplyCash^™ from American Express^{^®}
SimplyCash Preferred^™ Card from American Express^{^®}

Note of milesopedia

Thus, American Express extended to 6 months (instead of 3) the time to reach the minimum expenses for most cards.

The condition is to have applied for it between January 22, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

Refunds

All refund measures can be found on this page.

Here are the questions and answers:

My travel/accommodation/event booking has been cancelled. Can I get my money back? Can I get my money back?

Many travel and event providers have been extremely flexible in these unprecedented times.

Please contact the travel or event provider (travel company/hotel/event organizer) first, and they will be able to provide assistance. Reviewing the Terms and Conditions of your booking may also help you have informed conversations once you’ve reached them.

Visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Planning page for more details on airline, hotel and car rental policies.

I have payments due for a future trip, but I’m unsure as to whether I will want, or be able, to go. Can I get my money back?

Many travel and event providers have been extremely flexible in these unprecedented times.

Visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Planning page for more details on airline, hotel and car rental policies.
cars.

I redeemed Membership Rewards points for my travel/accommodation and it’s now cancelled. Do I get my Membership Rewards points back?

If you used your Membership Rewards points to redeem for travel through Amex Travel or Used Points for Purchases, refunds will appear as a credit from the merchant on your statement. We do not refund Membership Rewards points redeemed.

For more information about Membership Rewards, please visit: www.americanexpress.com/canada/exploremembershiprewards

Conclusion

American Express Canada joined American Express USA by offering an extension to reach the minimum spending threshold to earn a welcome bonus.

This is also in addition to other measures in progress for some cards

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.

All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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