American Express: Bonus points for additional cards

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
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To the point The American Express bonus points offer is available to certain cardholders who can earn points by adding additional cardholders.

There is an American Express bonus points offer for certain cardholders: the possibility to receive points by adding additional cardholders to your accounts and if they reach the required minimum spend (if any).

The promotion is currently underway and runs until September 23, 2024. As some additional cards don’t come with fees, this offer can be very benificial if additional cardholders manage to meet the spending requirements and use maximum-earning multipliers.

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Cobalt Amex additional card promo
Aeroplan Amex additional card promo

American Express bonus points - Eligible cards

Here is a summary of the select products eligible for this promotion. Also, you can earn bonus points for up to two additional cards for each product.

Card Bonus points Required spending Additional card fee
American Express Cobalt® Card 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points $1,000 in 3 months None
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card 5,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points $1,000 in 3 months None
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card 7,500 bonus Aeroplan points $1,000 in 3 months $50 (free card does not qualify)
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card – additional card with fee 20,000 bonus Aeroplan points $3,000 in 3 months $199
American Express®* Aeroplan® Reserve Card – free additional card 5,000 bonus Aeroplan points $1,000 in 3 months None
American Express Platinum Card® – regular additional card 20,000 bonus Membership Rewards points $3,000 in 3 months $250
American Express Platinum Card® – Additional Gold Rewards Card 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points $1,000 in 3 months None
American Express® Gold Rewards Card 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points $1,000 in 3 months None (first additional card), $50 for all others
American Express® Green Card 2,500 bonus Membership Rewards points $500 in 3 months None
SimplyCash® Card from American Express Statement credit of $25 $500 in 3 months None
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express $50 Statement credit $1,000 in 3 months None

American Express bonus points - Is it worth it?

If you were already planning to add an authorized user to your card, or if the additional card has no fees, the answer is obvious. When there’s a cost involved, you need to weigh up the value you can get from bonus points against the cost of acquiring them.

For example, you may have had the idea of adding your daughter to your American Express® Aeroplan®* Card so that she could benefit from the first free checked bag on Air Canada flights during her solo trip to Japan this spring.

After all, you’ll have to enroll it in the additional paid American Express® Aeroplan®* Card anyway, so why not collect 7,500 Aeroplan points if you can do so before September 23, 2024, thanks to the American Express bonus points promotion! You’ll then likely be able to redeem them for a value of 2¢ or more.

Another great offer is the American Express Cobalt® Card, where you can earn up to 10,000 Membership Rewards points free of charge if you add two cards.

Both authorized holders will need to spend a minimum of $1,000 in three months to unlock the 10,000-point total, but you’ll also earn base points in addition to bonus points.

If they maximize 5X categories (think gift cards too), you can earn up to 20,000 Membership Rewards points with this bonus points offer from American Express at no extra charge.

Person Basic points Bonus points
Additional card no. 1 $1,000 x 5 = 5,000 5 000
Additional card no. 2 $1,000 x 5 = 5,000 5 000
Total 20,000 points

Are you considering an American Express Cobalt® Card for your household? Now is the perfect time to sign up!

In fact, you could strategically split your expenses across all three cards (main user + two additional cards) to unlock the welcome bonus and that bonus points promotion from American Express! Three people working towards the same goal, that’s easier too!

The best approach is to start by concentrating spending on additional cards before moving on to the card of the family’s main cardholder.

  • 1,250 points for each month you spend more than $750 in the first year.
  • 5,000 bonus points for each additional card if you spend more than $1,000 in 3 months (or $667 per month if you opt for two cards).
  • Up to 45,000 base points in 5X earnings categories
  • Up to 70,000 total points
MONTHS PURCHASES 5X CATEGORY BONUS TOTAL
1 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
2 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
3 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points + 10,000 points 15,000 points
4 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
5 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
6 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
7 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
8 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
9 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
10 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
11 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
12 $750 3,750 points 1,250 points 5,000 points
Total $9,000 45,000 points 25,000 points 70,000 points

Bottom Line

The current American Express Bonus Points promotion will reward those who add additional cardholders to their account until September 23, 2024. So you have plenty of time to add your two authorized users and plan your spending strategy for the next three months.

If you don’t already have the American Express Cobalt® Card in your wallet, now’s the time to do so for some extra points.

Information on the American Express Bonus Points promotion is available here. In order to get the bonus points, you must add the additional card from the links on this page.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen

Aline Nguyen
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 78 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
All posts by Aline Nguyen

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