Ever wondered if there's a secret limit to how many American Express cards you can stash in your wallet? It's a common question among credit card enthusiasts, and the answer isn't as simple as a single number. American Express has a unique set of rules that govern how many cards you can hold, and understanding them is key to optimizing your card strategy. Let's dive in and unravel the mysteries of Amex's card limits!
Step 1: Understand the Amex "Five-Card Rule"
First things first, let's address the most widely known rule: the Amex Five-Card Rule.
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| How Many American Express Credit Cards Can You Have |
What is it?
American Express generally limits cardholders to a total of five personal and business credit cards at any given time. This rule applies to traditional revolving credit cards, meaning cards that allow you to carry a balance month-to-month.
Why does it matter?
This rule is crucial because it directly dictates your maximum capacity for traditional Amex credit products. If you're eyeing a new Amex credit card, you'll need to consider if you have an open "slot" within this five-card limit.
Important Nuance: Hybrid Cards (Charge Cards)
Here's where it gets interesting! The five-card rule does not apply to American Express charge cards, often referred to as "hybrid cards" or cards with "no preset spending limit." This distinction is incredibly important.
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Credit Cards: Have a fixed credit limit and allow you to carry a balance (though it's always best to pay in full).
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Charge Cards: Generally require you to pay your balance in full each month, although some may offer "Pay Over Time" options for certain purchases. They do not have a preset spending limit, meaning your buying power adjusts based on your spending, payment history, and financial profile.
Popular Amex charge cards that fall outside the five-card limit include:
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
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The American Express® Gold Card
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The American Express® Green Card
This means you could potentially have five Amex credit cards plus several Amex charge cards! This offers significant flexibility for those who want to maximize Amex rewards and benefits across various spending categories.
Step 2: Navigate Amex Application Restrictions
Beyond the five-card rule, American Express also has specific rules around how frequently you can apply for and be approved for new cards. These are often referred to as the "application rules."
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
The "1-in-5 Rule"
This rule states that you can typically only be approved for one American Express credit card every five days. If you apply for a second credit card within this five-day window, your application will likely be declined.
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Pro Tip: If you're planning to apply for multiple Amex credit cards, make sure to space out your applications by at least six days to avoid automatic rejection.
The "2-in-90 Rule"
American Express generally restricts approvals to no more than two credit cards within a 90-day period. This means that even if you adhere to the 1-in-5 rule and wait five days between applications, you can still only get a maximum of two credit cards within a 90-day timeframe.
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Note: Similar to the five-card rule, these application frequency rules primarily apply to credit cards and generally do not apply to charge cards. This means you could potentially apply for a charge card and a credit card within a short period, or multiple charge cards.
Step 3: Understand the "Once-Per-Lifetime" Welcome Offer Rule
This rule isn't about how many cards you can have, but rather how many times you can earn a welcome bonus for a specific card product.
What is it?
American Express generally has a "once-per-lifetime" rule for welcome bonuses. This means that if you've ever had a specific American Express credit or charge card product in the past (regardless of whether you received a bonus or not, or if you cancelled it), you typically will not be eligible to receive a welcome bonus for that exact same card again.
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Example: If you had the American Express® Gold Card five years ago and canceled it, you likely won't be eligible for a new welcome bonus if you apply for the Gold Card again today.
Why it's important for strategy:
This rule heavily influences how many unique Amex cards you might want to pursue over time, especially if maximizing welcome bonuses is a primary goal. You'll want to carefully consider which cards to apply for and when, as you generally get only one shot at the bonus per product.
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Caveat: While the general rule is "once-per-lifetime," there have been instances where Amex targets existing cardholders with special offers that bypass this rule. These are rare and typically require specific targeting from Amex. Always read the offer terms carefully before applying.
Step 4: Consider Your Credit Profile and Amex's Internal Policies
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
While the stated rules provide a framework, American Express also considers your individual credit profile and their internal risk assessment when approving new applications.
Factors Amex Considers:
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Credit Score: A good to excellent credit score (generally 700+) is usually required for Amex approvals, especially for their more premium cards.
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Income: Your reported income plays a significant role in your approval odds and potential credit limits.
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Existing Relationship with Amex: If you're an existing Amex cardholder with a strong payment history, you might find it easier to get approved for additional cards. Amex often performs a "soft pull" for subsequent applications from existing customers, which doesn't impact your credit score as much as a "hard pull."
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Spending and Payment Habits: How you use and pay your current Amex cards can influence future approvals and your "spending power" on charge cards. Responsible spending and consistent on-time payments are key.
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Number of Recent Hard Inquiries/New Accounts: While Amex primarily focuses on their own internal rules, a very high number of recent hard inquiries or newly opened accounts with other lenders could potentially be a factor in their decision.
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"Pop-Up Jail"
Sometimes, even if you meet all the explicit rules, you might encounter a "pop-up" message during an application stating you're not eligible for the welcome bonus. This is colloquially known as "pop-up jail." It's an internal Amex decision, often related to perceived "gaming" of the system (e.g., applying for too many cards too quickly without sufficient spending on existing cards). If you get this message, you won't receive the bonus, and it's generally advisable to withdraw the application.
Step 5: Strategize Your Amex Card Portfolio
Now that you understand the rules, you can strategically plan your American Express card portfolio.
Identify Your Needs and Goals:
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Are you focused on earning specific types of rewards (travel points, cashback)?
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Do you need a card with a high credit limit or flexible spending power?
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Are you looking for specific benefits like lounge access, statement credits, or travel insurance?
Mix of Credit and Charge Cards:
Leverage the distinction between credit and charge cards. If you hit the five-credit-card limit but still want more Amex products, consider their excellent lineup of charge cards. This allows you to expand your Amex footprint beyond the traditional credit card cap.
Timing Your Applications:
Always keep the 1-in-5 and 2-in-90 rules in mind when planning new applications. Space them out appropriately to increase your approval odds.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
Responsible Card Management:
Regardless of how many cards you have, responsible credit card management is paramount. Pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low on revolving credit cards, and avoid unnecessary debt. This will ensure you maintain a strong relationship with American Express and other lenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to determine if a card is a credit card or a charge card?
Generally, Amex cards with "no preset spending limit" are charge cards (e.g., Platinum, Gold, Green). Cards that specify a credit limit are traditional credit cards (e.g., Blue Cash Preferred, EveryDay Preferred). You can also often find this information in the card's terms and conditions or on the product page.
How to check my current number of Amex credit cards?
You can log in to your American Express online account, and all your active cards will be listed there. Simply count how many are traditional credit cards (not charge cards).
How to know if I'm eligible for a welcome bonus?
The best way is to apply for the card. If you're not eligible for the welcome bonus due to the "once-per-lifetime" rule or other factors, Amex will typically display a "pop-up" message before your application is fully processed, giving you the option to cancel.
How to increase my spending power on an Amex charge card?
To increase your spending power on a charge card, consistently use your card regularly and make timely, large payments. Amex assesses your spending power dynamically based on your payment history, financial behavior, and credit profile.
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
How to get approved for more than five Amex credit cards?
You generally cannot be approved for more than five credit cards with American Express. The only way to exceed this five-card limit is by adding charge cards to your portfolio, as they are not counted within this limit.
How to close an Amex card to open a new one?
If you're at the five-credit-card limit and want a new Amex credit card, you'll need to call American Express customer service and request to close one of your existing credit card accounts. Once the account is closed, a slot becomes available.
How to avoid "pop-up jail" with Amex?
There's no guaranteed way, but generally, focus on using your existing Amex cards regularly and responsibly, paying your balances in full or nearly in full. Avoid applying for too many cards in a short period, especially if you're not putting significant spend on them.
How to apply for multiple Amex cards strategically?
Plan your applications, adhering to the 1-in-5 and 2-in-90 rules. Consider applying for one credit card, then waiting at least six days before applying for another credit card. For charge cards, the frequency rules are more relaxed.
How to tell the difference between "no preset spending limit" and "unlimited spending"?
"No preset spending limit" does not mean unlimited spending. It means there's no fixed, publicly stated credit limit. Your actual spending capacity adjusts based on your financial history, spending patterns, and Amex's internal assessment. "Unlimited spending" is a myth in the credit card world.
How to benefit from having multiple Amex cards?
Having multiple Amex cards allows you to diversify your rewards strategy (e.g., one card for travel, another for groceries), maximize statement credits and benefits across various categories, and potentially gain access to different lounge networks or elite statuses.
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