Reports on r/churning have been surfacing of multiple people’s American Express accounts being shut down. Apparently it’s some of those who took advantage of no-lifetime-limit offers to bypass the Amex once-in-a-lifetime limitation on signup bonuses. The affected had all of their Amex accounts closed out.
Truth be told, those using the offers simply applied for an Amex card that was being offered by the bank. Amex does have themselves covered, though, since the terms state: “if you applied for one or more cards to obtain a welcome offer(s) that we did not intend for you” they can close out your accounts.
We’ve only heard a handful of people getting shut down, perhaps those who did multiples of these offers. Hopefully this shut down spree doesn’t expand to more people.
Do we know for sure that only people who used nll offers not intended for them got shut down? I received 2 nll offers for the same biz charge card. Wondering if it’s safe to go for both.
if I was targeted, by email or snail mail, I would apply for the card. Even after having it before. Just like everything else, institutions also make exceptions to the rule. If you are targeted, there is a reason why you are being allowed to reapply (and no, not to nail you). Appears Amx relationship with others like Delta, have allowed exceptions. Like I said before, AMX already has blocking for those who reapply (i.e. Through conventional (no NLL), the application process lets you know and if you are not targeted, then you cannot enter the NLL link).
if you think about it, AMX has a sophisticated system in place, already. What happened here, is that this was taken out of context and rightfully so.
BTW – JB and JBSanDiego are not the same in one. Just for clarification.
I am confused on this. I just got an offer from Amex in mail for Delta card with NLL and I have had this card few years back. Should I not apply since I may get shutdown? I am not sure then why is Amex sending me these mailer offers if all they want is to shut me down by using the offer? What am I missing?
I think it is ok to apply if it is under your name. Some people were selling vouchers belonging to other people and applying which amex does not like
Honestly, you aren’t going to get an answer to that question that will hold for forever. You may be able to apply for it and get one by, but the only guaranteed way to never get shutdown is to not try to circumvent what American Express is looking for in a card holder.
Churning (really more so manufactured spending) is very short sighted and IMO, having a good relationship with a bank for decades beats a few extra Delta miles. Will they shut you down for a one time offense? I would say probably not, but ask me again in 2-4 years since things might have changed. I remember feeling like such an idiot for not going nuts with MSing back when everyone was getting all these great offers, but look at how the tides turned. I still have the cards I want and need and am earning at rates never seen before thanks to all the pandemic offers out there.
Tl;dr: Long game or short game?
Here’s an idea: ask Amex directly, not people on a blog that do not know the answer to your question.
Something more is going on here. When targeted by an email with the NLL, you can login (for first timers and those approved to reapply). If you had the card before and you use the link without being targeted, you cannot login. Also, if you had the card before and you apply directly without the NLL, the application process will let you know and that is why AMX was known to be the safest to apply without having your account closed. Therefore, someone tried to apply by getting through the link by using someone else’s account. This would make an easy catch for the RAT.
I’m glad I decided to make AMEX CCs my main drivers when I started this points/miles stuff and use the other banks for SUBs and the occasional churn.
I know AMEX is the most beneficial since MR pts can be quite valuable… but churning them has always sounded like a headache.
Amex cards are the easiest to get approved for, no point in signing up for them first, sign up for chase and then do amex biz cc to keep new accounts low
I’ve had most of my AMEX Cards for about 3-4 years now. I’m way under 5/24. I was just making a general statement about the trouble people have with them.
Thank you DoC for the heads up! Otherwise, I would have never known (I don’t follow reddit). I sure wouldn’t have want to apply for a targeted sign up offer with NLL and then get my account closed. We can also close the book on this method as well.
Cry me a river. Y’all played with fire and got burned. Boohoo.
Yup. Found the guy.
This feels totally in character for Amex. When will all you Charlie Browns out there realize you shouldn’t waste your time playing football with Lucy?
That’s not really a fair comparison since Charlie Brown lost every time. I prefer the analogy I saw a redditor post on the churning forum a few years ago:
Amex is like that Hot Girlfriend you meet in college. If you treat her well, she will be loyal to you. If you abuse her, you can probably get away with it for awhile. But once she does find out, she will do something to make you totally regret it.
And just like that Hot girlfriend in college, you have no idea where that line exists. And she likes to send you mixed signals so you can never really figure out where the line is yourself.
I need to find the source 👏
I have no doubt Amex is going after blatant abusers.
Somebody who canceled a card five years ago and applied for it again recently using a mailer addressed to them personally that said they could earn the SUB again probably has nothing to worry about.
They’re at the higher end of the spectrum. High fees,etc. They don’t need us churners.