At TPG, our main focus is usually on redeeming points for travel. However, the savviest points experts are the ones who know how to take advantage of every deal and save money, even when they’re not traveling. One of the best options for saving money and earning bonus points on a wide variety of purchases is taking advantage of offers on American Express credit cards. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know to enroll in and redeem these extra discounts so that you can reap the benefits of potentially saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on everyday purchases.
What are Amex Offers?
All American Express cards, including core ones such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and cobranded cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, have access to Amex Offers. You can find all the available Amex Offers by scrolling down to “Amex Offers & Benefits” on your online account page or by clicking on the “Offers” tab on the Amex app.
These offers come from a wide variety of merchants, including travel providers, restaurants, and clothing and jewelry stores. Generally speaking, Amex Offers come in one of four forms:
1. Spend $X, get Y number of bonus points
2. Spend $X, get $Y back
3. Get additional points for each dollar you spend at a select merchant
4. Get X% back by using the link provided
These offers are targeted to individual cardholders and specific cards. Each of your cards may have a different number of offers available. The maximum number of offers you’ll see on any card at a given time is 100 offers. If you aren’t seeing anything that interests you, adding offers to your card can free up space for new offers to appear.
How to Filter Your Offers
You can refine your offers by specific categories, such as “expiring soon,” “travel,” and “dining.” Previously, there was a drop-down menu with more limited filtering options. This new user experience allows you to see which offers are available and keep track of the ones you’ve already added to your card.
Based on my experience and several data points I’ve seen online, it appears that Amex sometimes targets the most valuable offers to its core Membership Rewards-earning cards, such as the Platinum card or the American Express Gold Card.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming. Each offer has its own set of terms and conditions, which you should carefully read before enrolling. Some important points to note are:
1. Enrollment is limited: Amex may have a quota for how many people can enroll in an offer. Once that limit is reached, you may not be able to register. It’s best to add offers to your card if you think there’s any chance you’ll use them, even if you’re not sure yet.
2. Amex agents can move offers from one card to another: If you have multiple Amex cards, keep track of which card each offer was added to. It may be possible to move offers from one card to another, resulting in a better earning rate on your purchase. Contact an Amex customer service representative via the chat function on the mobile app or website to request the offer to be moved.
3. One offer per cardmember across all American Express offer channels: Amex has been cracking down on adding offers to multiple cards and receiving credit multiple times. Stick to a single card for each offer.
4. Carefully pick the card to which you add an offer: Choose the card that will give you the best earning rate or rewards for that specific purchase.
Redemption and Terms
Each Amex Offer has its own set of terms and conditions, which you should carefully read before making a purchase. Some important points to note are:
1. Expiration date: Each offer has an expiration date, so be sure to use it before it expires.
2. Geographical restrictions: Many travel offers have restrictions, such as only being valid for transactions in U.S. dollars or only valid at properties in North America.
3. Purchase directly from the merchant: In most cases, you need to purchase directly from the merchant to receive the offer. Using third-party platforms may disqualify you from receiving the discount.
4. Exclusions: Some merchants exclude certain items, such as gift cards or promotional items, from the offer. Make sure to check the terms to see if your intended purchase qualifies for the offer.
5. Accurate information: Amex will only give you the cash rebate or bonus points if it receives accurate information that appropriately identifies your transaction. Be aware of how your transaction is processed to ensure you qualify for the offer.
In conclusion, taking advantage of Amex Offers can help you save money and earn bonus points on a wide variety of purchases. By enrolling in these offers and carefully reading and abiding by the terms and conditions, you can maximize your savings and rewards potential. It’s worth spending some time to explore the offers available to you and make the most of these money-saving opportunities, even when you’re not traveling.