Sometimes you get an offer you can’t refuse, even if it means giving up one of your favorite cards.
That’s what happened to me a few weeks ago while I was searching the Internet for a great welcome offer on the refreshed American Express Platinum® Card. All about the new card. the benefits excited me —of his lucrative resy credit to an improved digital entertainment credit and expansive airport access to the lounge.
The Amex Platinum welcome offer It is directed and personalized. New cardholders can learn about their offer and see if they may be eligible to receive up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive one.
I had been a happy American Express® Gold Card member for a while and was not looking to update or change the product.
However, when I compared my highest custom Platinum offer (80,000 Membership Rewards points for $8,000 in spending within six months of card membership) to the offer I’d receive for upgrading my Gold (125,000 points for $6,000 in spending within six months of upgrading), it became clear that the upgrade path provided much more value.
Here’s why I recommend checking out their upgrade offers if you’re considering a new travel card.
My Amex Platinum Welcome Offers
It took several attempts over a few days to find a Amex Platinum offer that excited me.
This is because Amex limits cardholders to a bonus for life in their cards, so the stakes were high to find a good one. I had my fingers crossed for a top-tier 175,000 point bonus, but I would have been happy with anything worth 100,000 points or more.
Unfortunately for me, I came across some pretty lackluster offerings.
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One of the most insulting bonuses appeared when I reviewed a pre-approval tool. I was offered the opportunity to earn just 50,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on the card within six months of becoming a card member.
Sure, it was nice to know I was approved. But 50,000 points? This is quite insulting, especially since the publicly available offer on the Amex Gold Card Already in My Wallet offers new applicants to learn about its offer and see if they are eligible to earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer. Come on, Amex.
I tried a few methods to get a higher Amex Platinum offer, including incognito windows in Google Chrome, using different browsers, and checking for several days. The best I could get was the opportunity to earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on the card within six months of card membership.
Still, that was nothing special. In fact, it was the old public offer since before Amex launched its custom bonus feature in June 2025.
After days looking for an offer that captivated me, I thought I would have to throw in the towel.
But to my surprise, the best option to grow my Membership Rewards The balance was already in my account.
Related: New benefits, more value: Why I’m more excited than ever to be an Amex Platinum card member
Check your Amex account
I logged into my American Gold account and found a Platinum Card Bonus I couldn’t resist.
Turns out the offer was on my home page; I just had to scroll past my most recent transactions to find it. They offered me an upgrade offer to earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership.
Bingo.
Not only did it eclipse the 100,000 point goal I had set for my bonus, but it also hit a lower spending threshold: $6,000 in six months instead of $8,000 in the same time period.
Did I want to say goodbye to my Amex Gold? Not necessarily, but I can always reapply later (although I won’t be eligible for a welcome bonus). However, I really wanted to try the Platinum Card membership and this offer was the final push I needed to make the decision.
I certainly didn’t embark on my Platinum bonus journey expecting to upgrade my Gold Card, but I didn’t find anything even remotely close to 125,000 points when I tried to apply directly.
Related: Something Shiny and Shiny: Why I Got the Sleek New Mirrored Amex Platinum Card and How You Can Too
In a nutshell
Upgrading a card that’s already in your wallet isn’t guaranteed to provide the best bonus every time, and I didn’t expect it to be the best method for opening the Amex Platinum card.
I love the Platinum Card membership and already got my high welcome bonus. Now I’m daydreaming what will I do with 125,000 Membership Rewards Points.
If you are considering Amex Platinum and already have a american cardIt’s worth checking your account to see if you also qualify for a surprisingly high upgrade offer. You may find more than 100,000 points waiting for you.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
