We’ve been vocal in our criticism of American Express lately – and for good reason. Skyrocketing annual fees paired with a maze of complicated, “use-them-or-lose-them” credits have made it increasingly difficult to justify the value of many Amex cards. In fact, we’ve gone so far as to say that Amex card benefits are officially out of control.
But there’s one area where American Express deserves credit: how it structures the timeline to earn welcome offer bonuses.
Unlike many of its competitors, Amex has quietly adopted a more consumer-friendly approach. While banks like Chase, Capital One, and Citi have steadily raised the spending requirements for their sign-up bonuses – often without adjusting the time frame to meet them – Amex has gone in the opposite direction.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a consistent trend: Amex now gives new cardholders a full six months to meet the minimum spending requirement for welcome offers on many of its cards. That includes heavy hitters like *amex platinum*, the *amex gold*, and even co-branded options like the Delta SkyMiles® or Hilton Honors cards.
That’s double the industry standard of three months—and it makes a real difference.
Compare that to what we’ve seen elsewhere:
- When the *chase sapphire preferred* recently offered one of its best bonuses ever – 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 – it gave cardholders just three months to earn it. That offer expired May 15, 2025. The current offer? 60,000 points for the same $5,000 spend, still in just three months. Less points, same pressure to meet the spending requirement.
- Earlier this year, Capital One offered 100,000 miles on the *capital one venture card* through personal referrals. But that meant spending $5,000 in three months – $1,000 more than the standard 75,000-mile offer, with no extra time to hit the higher threshold.
- Then there's Citi. The bank's *Citi AA Executive* now requires $10,000 in spending within three months to earn 100,000 AAdvantage miles. That’s $3,000 more than the previous requirement with the same amount of time to get it done.
The pattern is clear: higher spending requirements with no additional time to get it done. Unless you're going with American Express.
Despite everything—from benefit bloat to increasingly confusing perks—Amex is getting one important thing right. By giving new cardholders six months to hit their spending goals, Amex makes it significantly easier to actually earn those generous welcome bonuses.
That might not erase every frustration, but in the world of points and miles, it’s a welcome change worth acknowledging.
Why Is Amex Doing This?
Let’s get one thing straight: American Express isn’t giving you six months to meet a welcome bonus spending requirement out of generosity.
It’s a smart, strategic move – and it’s likely backed by data.
By extending the spending window to six months (compared to the typical three months most other banks allow), Amex isn’t just making things easier for you. It’s ensuring that its card stays front and center in your wallet – and on your mind – for much longer.
Think about it: With a standard three-month deadline, it’s easy to hit the spending threshold, earn the bonus, and then shelve the card. But when Amex gives you twice the time, it’s subtly encouraging you to build a habit of using the card for everyday purchases – well beyond the bonus goal. That increased “wallet time” likely results in more long-term spending and deeper cardholder engagement. It’s not altruism – it’s smart business.
And clearly, it's working.
We've heard from countless readers who've skipped enticing welcome offers simply because they weren’t sure they could spend enough in the short timeframe. That hesitation fades when you’ve got six full months to work with. Amex is effectively removing a major psychological barrier, making its cards more accessible to a broader range of consumers.
Yes, it’s still frustrating how many different welcome offers Amex has floating around – many targeted and highly inconsistent – but one thing remains consistently true: no matter the offer, you’ll almost always have six full months to earn it.
That alone makes Amex stand out in a sea of tightening timelines and rising spending thresholds.
Bottom Line
As other issuers raise spending requirements for welcome bonuses – while sticking to the typical three-month deadline – American Express is setting itself apart by offering a more generous six-month window to meet those thresholds on most of its personal cards.
This isn’t just a perk – it’s a calculated strategy designed to promote sustained card usage and long-term loyalty. By giving cardholders more time to earn their welcome bonus, Amex is encouraging ongoing engagement with the card, well beyond the initial incentive.
