American Express: How I got over $2,200 in statement credits in 2021

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
amex special offers featured
To the point In 2021, I got over $2,200 in statement credits with American Express online offers. Here are the details by Card.

American Express regularly offers online promotions. With these offers, you benefit from statement credits or points.

It’s not something that happens automatically: you have to register for every offer you’re interested in (if in doubt, register for ALL the offers you have in your online account). You can do this from your computer or the American Express mobile app.

In addition, Scotiabank Gold American Express credit cardholders are eligible for certain offers. They can go and register on the American Express promotional offers page.

As 2021 is about to come to a close, it’s time to take stock of some of my American Express credit cards. And it’s amazing! Especially since these are only the offers I used because they met my needs (at least twice as many other offers were also available for many businesses).

To view the credits you have earned, go to this page in your American Express Canada online account under “Statement Credits.”

credit to the amex en account

Consumer Cards

Statement Credits earned: $1,010

Here are the online promotional offers I got with my Platinum Card®:

Month Details Amount
February 2021 Grocery credit $200
February 2021 Travel credit $200
May 2021 CornerShop Offer $30
July 2021 Shop Small $15
August 2021 Shop Small $35
August 2021 Marriott Bonvoy offer $100
September 2021 Gastronomic restaurant offer $175
October 2021 Shop Small $15
November 2021 Ivanhoe Cambridge Offer $40
November 2021 Travel credit $200
2021 TOTAL $1,010

The Platinum Card® has an annual fee of $699 (but comes with a $200 annual travel credit).

With this Card, one guest and two children get free access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide (including the National Bank and Air France Lounges in Montreal).

In addition, it offers Elite status such as Marriott Bonvoy Gold status or Hilton Honors Gold (the latter permitting free breakfasts in the group’s hotels).

With perks like this, and offers available during the year on this Card(over $1,000 in 2021), I’m a big winner as a cardholder.

If you don’t have it yet, here is the welcome offer currently available:

Statement Credits earned: $160

Here are the online promotional offers I received with my American Express Cobalt® Card:

Month Details Amount
July 2021 Shop Small $5
August 2021 Shop Small $30
November 2021 Restaurant Credit $50
November 2021 Online Shopping Credit $15
December 2021 Give and Get Local Offer $60
2021 TOTAL $160

This year, I had fewer offers than last year on my American Express Cobalt® Card. However, $160 in statement credits pays off my annual fee ($155.88).

And it remains my Card of choice for grocery and restaurant purchases to earn 5 points per dollar. Or to buy gift cards to also get 5 points per dollar at many stores like Walmart, Ikea, Amazon or the SAQ!

You don’t have this card yet? Take advantage of the exceptional offer available right now:

Statement Credits earned: $60

Here are the online promotional offers I got with my Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card:

Month Details Amount
July 2021 Shop Small $5
August 2021 Shop Small $30
August 2021 Ivanhoe Cambridge Offer $25
2021 TOTAL $60

I got $60 in statement credits on my Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card. It pays for half of its $120 annual fee.

However, in my eyes, the membership pays for itself with the Annual Free Night Award (35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points value).

Judiciously used – as I did at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island – it can easily save over $300. This puts the annual fee into perspective.

If you don’t have this card yet, take advantage of the current welcome offer, one of the highest ever seen on this card:

Statement Credits earned: $45

Here are the online promotional offers I got with my American Express® Aeroplan®* Card:

Month Details Amount
August 2021 Shop Small $25
November 2021 Online Shopping Credit $20
2021 TOTAL 45 $

This is my new Card this year. I got $45 in statement credits, which pays off a little over a third of the $120 annual fee.

Here is the offer currently available for this card:

Small Business Cards

Statement Credits earned: $245

Here are the online promotional offers I got with my Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card:

Month Details Amount
July 2021 Amazon Offer $50
July 2021 Shop Small $5
August 2021 Shop Small $30
August 2021 Ivanhoe Cambridge Offer $25
September 2021 Quebec Hotel Credit $50
September 2021 Marriott Bonvoy Credit $50
October 2021 Small Business Offers $15
November 2021 Online Shopping Credit $20
2021 TOTAL $245

I got more credit on this small business Card than on the consumer’s Card: $245 in statement credits, more than enough to pay off the $150 annual fee.

And like my other Marriott Bonvoy Card, this Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card comes with an Annual Free Night Award (35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points value).

So keep it, or apply for it if you don’t have it yet:

Statement Credits earned: $710

Here are the online promotional offers I got with my Business Platinum Card® from American Express:

Month Details Amount
August 2021 Shop Small $5
October 2021 Shop Small $15
October 2021 Google Ads offer $225
October 2021 Google Ads offer $225
November 2021 Quickbooks offer $240
2021 TOTAL $710

My other American Express Small Business Card: on this one, I got $710. Again, enough to pay off my $499 annual fee.

promotional offers platinum pme jm en
credit slack amex platine

I’m keeping this Card because it gives me 1.25 points per dollar everywhere, including my Google Ads purchases (note the generous offer I got for that). Points that I can then easily transfer into Aeroplan points or Flying Blue miles.

If you don’t have the consumer’s Card, this is an option to consider as it will also give you free access to airport lounges!

Here’s the current great offer:

Bottom line

As you can see, the promotional offers throughout the year make a difference: it can help to reimburse each Card’s annual fee!

How about you? How many statement credits have you earned in a year? Come and discuss it in the Facebook group!

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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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