Chase Sapphire Preferred: 75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months, $95 fee
- Bonus
- 75,000 points
- Spend
- $5,000 in 3 mo
- Annual fee
- $95
Still the best first travel card in the country.
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Amex Platinum: as high as 175,000 points after $12,000 in 6 months
- Welcome bonus
- As high as 175,000 points
- Spend requirement
- $12,000 in 6 months
- Annual fee
- $895
- APR
- 19.74%–28.74% variable APR on Pay Over Time balances (charge card — pay in full by default)
What the bonus is worth: Roughly $1,750–$3,500 depending on how you redeem; airline transfer partners get the most.
Offer is personalized: Amex shows your exact amount after you apply (no credit score impact until you accept).
Apply on American Express's site 👉Opens American Express's secure application page. Terms, rates and approval are the issuer's.
Our take
This is the biggest public bonus on the market right now, and the 6-month window makes $12,000 doable for a family. The $895 fee is only worth it if you'll use the credits and lounges; if the credit list reads like homework, skip it. Apply through the issuer page and check the amount Amex shows you before accepting — the “as high as” offer varies by person.
Who it's for
People who fly often, value lounges, and will use most of the credit list. If you'd have to force yourself to use the credits, the $895 is a bad trade.
How it earns
- 5x flights booked with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500k a year)
- 5x prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
- 1x everything else
Perks
- Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass
- Airline fee, hotel, Uber, digital entertainment, Saks, Walmart+ and other statement credits — check the current list on Amex's page
- Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status
- Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits; no foreign transaction fees
Rates & fees at a glance
| Welcome bonus | As high as 175,000 points |
|---|---|
| Spend requirement | $12,000 in the first 6 months |
| Annual fee | $895 (Offer is personalized: Amex shows your exact amount after you apply (no credit score impact until you accept)) |
| APR | 19.74%–28.74% variable APR on Pay Over Time balances (charge card — pay in full by default) |
| Earns | Membership Rewards points |
| Network | Amex |
| Checked | Oct 8, 2026 on American Express's site |
How to stack it
- Time the application with a big planned expense (insurance, tuition, a trip) so the spend requirement is money you'd spend anyway.
- Shop through a cashback portal and the card's own offers (Chase Offers, Amex Offers, Capital One Offers) while meeting the spend — the bonus stacks on top of normal earning.
- Set a calendar reminder for the end of the spend window and another before the first annual fee posts.
Verified: American Express Platinum page, Oct 8, 2026: “Apply and find out your welcome offer. As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.” Annual fee $895. Source: americanexpress.com. Offers change; the issuer's page is final.
Advertiser & referral disclosure: StackTheDeal may receive a referral bonus or commission when you apply for a card or open an account through links on this page. That never changes which offers we post or what we say about them. Offer terms are as shown on the issuer's own page on the date checked; the issuer's page is final, and offers can change or end without notice. We are not a bank or lender and do not make credit decisions. How we make money.
Common questions
Why does the offer say 'as high as' 175,000?
Amex shows different offers to different people. The 175,000 shows for some applicants directly on Amex's page; others see 150,000 or less. Try the Apply link, and use the 'Apply with confidence' check, which tells you if you're approved before any hard pull.
Answered by StackTheDealDoes Amex do a hard pull?
Only if you're approved. Amex's 'Apply with confidence' pre-check is a soft inquiry; a hard pull happens when you accept the approved card.
Answered by StackTheDealI had the Platinum years ago. Can I get the bonus again?
Usually not. Amex's once-per-lifetime rule means if you've ever had the Platinum, you're not eligible for its welcome bonus unless the application shows no popup warning. Some people see targeted exceptions; the popup is the final word.
Answered by StackTheDealDoes the $895 annual fee count toward the $12,000 spend?
No. Only purchases count, and the 6-month spending window starts at approval. The fee is charged on the first statement.
Answered by StackTheDealHow are the statement credits delivered?
Most are monthly or semiannual credits you have to enroll for in your account (Uber, Saks, digital entertainment, airline fee). Enroll the first week or you'll miss the first month's.
Answered by StackTheDealWill the 175,000 points be taxed?
No. Welcome bonuses from spending aren't taxable. Amex sends a 1099 only for things like referral bonuses, not card welcome offers.
Answered by StackTheDealCompare with
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months ($795 fee)
- Bonus
- 100,000 points
- Spend
- $6,000 in 3 mo
- Annual fee
- $795
The 100k bonus is huge, but the $795 fee is real money and the credits are in halves (January–June, July–December), so do the math on your own travel first.
Amex Gold: as high as 100,000 points after $8,000 in 6 months, $325 fee
- Bonus
- As high as 100,000 points
- Spend
- $8,000 in 6 mo
- Annual fee
- $325
The grocery-and-dining card.
Questions about this offer?
💬 Ask us and we'll check it for you: message us on WhatsApp or email stackthedeal@gmail.com. Found it cheaper? Tell us and we'll update the post.