Documented rule history
Active — last confirmed March 10, 2023Is the American Express Once-per-lifetime rule still active? On our documented record it is active, last confirmed March 10, 2023: Confirmed as applying to both personal and business cards. We have 3 dated, sourced changes on record since 2014. Statuses reflect documented confirmations, not live issuer policy.
Every documented change — newest first
March 10, 2023
Confirmed as applying to both personal and business cards
Date reflects the reference page's update date. Doctor of Credit's reference states the sign-up bonus on personal and business American Express cards can be earned only once per lifetime.
February 25, 2016
Extended to business cards
Business Gold, Business Green, Business Platinum, and SimplyCash applications adopted the same have-or-have-had restriction as personal cards; the SPG Business card briefly kept the older 12-month wording before updating.
May 2, 2014
Rule introduced on consumer cards
American Express's official statement said that beginning May 2, 2014, welcome bonus offers would not be available to applicants who have or have had the card they are applying for.
Questions
Yes — active on our documented record, as last confirmed March 10, 2023: Confirmed as applying to both personal and business cards. Always verify before applying — issuers change unwritten rules without notice.
May 2, 2014: Rule introduced on consumer cards. Since then we have documented 3 changes, each dated and sourced on this page.
March 10, 2023 — Confirmed as applying to both personal and business cards. Date reflects the reference page's update date. Doctor of Credit's reference states the sign-up bonus on personal and business American Express cards can be earned only once per lifetime.
Application rules are unwritten issuer policy; they change and get enforced without notice, and exceptions exist. Statuses reflect our last documented confirmation, not live issuer policy. Not financial or legal advice.
Bonus Eagle. “American Express Once-per-lifetime rule — The Application Rules Record.” bonuseagle.com. https://www.bonuseagle.com/rules/american-express/once-per-lifetime-rule
All American Express rules: the full issuer page.
