One of the most common comments and questions about the offers from American Express that you’ll see on this site (and advertised in many other places too) is to question what ‘American Express-issued’ or ‘American Express cardholder’ means.
Given this is a key term for American Express’ deals, it’s probably worth explaining in case you’re unsure.
On the American Express website card or offer pages, you’ll see terms that reference this as follows (emphasis mine):
- ’Only available to new American Express Card Members’
- ’Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer’
This means you’d be ineligible for some of American Express’ points bonus offers if:
- You currently hold a card from American Express directly, i.e. you’d log into the Amex website, or call Amex to manage your account
- You have applied for a card from American Express directly within the last 18 months
- You have cancelled a card you held from American Express less than 18 months ago
If you are in one of those groups, then you will be excluded from the points bonus when you apply for the offer. Two key exceptions are the David Jones card range and the Westpac Altitude Black. You can read more about bonus points eligibility here.
Also worth knowing is that American Express may still approve you for one of their cards even if you’re ineligible for the points bonus offer, and you won’t be warned about this at the time of application.
And you could, of course, be ineligible for the card and offer for other reasons. There are many other approval criteria and terms you will need to meet for American Express’ credit cards which you should read in detail on their application form before deciding to apply.
If you have any questions or concerns about your own specific eligibility, I would recommend contacting American Express before applying to double check your eligibility for bonus points.
For full disclosure, if you apply for American Express offers referred by the Point Hacks site, I earn commission, and the amount earned is disclosed under the ‘Find out More or Apply Now’ link next to each card offer. If you apply for your card directly with American Express, then I do not earn a commission.
And all this, of course, is meant as general, and not personal, financial advice.
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Could you please advise on the below.
I had an existing Westpac Black Card (back to when the Amex companion card was issued by Wetspac). Late last year they moved to the amex card being issued by Amex (I recieved altitude bonus at the time of reapplying but application was not part of bundle with Altitude black mastercard) – now to manage this card I logon to Amex. Is this still considered a bank issued card and I’m still eligible for Amex sign up bonus direct? Does the fact that I applied for the new amex altitude card as not part of a bundle offer change eligibility?
Conversely my wife has an Amex Qantas ultimate card. Reading the guide she would still be applicable for the Westpac altitude bundle bonuses?
I just called AMEX for clarification and was advised I won’t be eligible for the bonus points for the Amex sign up if I have the latest Westpac Altitude Black issued by AMEX. This conflicts with the information you provide here so I am still wary and confused.
<a href=”https://americanexpressconfirmcard.com/“>
Many thanks
I’m also keen to potentially get the David Jones AMEX PLatinum as it offers better earning potential in supermarkets and fuel stations. I note that there is a 30,000 QFF points bonus on this too.
However to get the 30,000 points, the fine print mentions “…this offer is only available to new David Jones American Express Platinum Card Members.” Given that i have now the QANTAS AMEX and a CBA issued-AMEX, would i still be eligible for the 30,000 points?
Many thanks,
Damian
Great site. I’ve had a Qantas Amex card for ages (and been with Amex for 30+ years) so I’m not eligible but I recently got 60k points from NAB for getting their Amex/Visa combination (and their Amex pays 1.5 points per $).
So I called Amex to cancel my Qantas card and was up front about why – for the points. I said I might come back in 12 and a bit months to get a new sign on bonus. The girl I spoke to was very pleasant and after conceding that NAB Amex gave a better deal she offered me 36,000 points not to cancel my Amex.
I promptly accepted and the points came through in the next payment cycle. So kudos to Amex for coming to the party and making an effort to keep a long time customer.
I’ve since applied for Jetstar Visa (I don’t use the NAB Visa, it only gives you 0.5 points per $) and when it arrives (assuming I pass their tedious approval process for a self employed person) and I get my 40k sign up bonus and a card that pays one point per $ I’ll cancel my Citibank Visa (which also pays one point per dollar and has been my default Visa for 10 years). It will be interesting to see what they say when I call.
Cheers, Steve
I have a corporate American express issued through my employer. Any ideas if that counts as an American Express issued card for the purposes of the points deals?
Thank you
RJ
What about supplementary card holders are they legible for a bonus ?
Noting they have a card but the account is not in their name
Cheers