With American Express’ once-per-lifetime restriction on their card products, it can be difficult to earn a substantial number of points once you’ve exhausted a number of their products. The welcome offer can only be earned once. There is no waiting 24 months, 48 months, or whatever the time-frame is to be eligible for a new bonus.
However, upgrade offers are an excellent way to still earn some points, and American Express is generally good about offering them to cardholders. I’ve taken advantage of upgrade offers for my Hilton cards in the past, converting my no-fee Hilton card to the Surpass, and later my Surpass to an Aspire, earning over 200,000 points in the process.
Upgrade offers are now appearing for some cardholders for the American Express Everyday and Blue Cash cards.
Amex Everyday and Blue Cash Upgrade Offers
I logged into my American Express account this morning to check for an upgrade offer on my American Express Everyday card. I’ve had the card for a few years, and it saw some occasional grocery store use before I picked up my Blue Business Plus.
Sure enough, there was a banner at the top of the page when I clicked on my Everyday card account. The Everyday Preferred upgrade offer is for 25,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 within the first three months.
The Everyday Preferred card carries a $95 annual fee versus the $0 fee for the Everyday. The card earns 3x Membership Rewards points at supermarkets and 2x on gas. You also enjoy a 50% boost if you make 30 or more purchases in a statement cycle. Overall, it is a better card if you can max out the $6,000 annual spend limit at supermarkets and hit the 50% bonus frequently.
There is no link to the offer. You simply need to log into your Amex account and see if it appears. There is also an analogous offer for the Blue Cash card. You can upgrade to the Blue Cash Preferred ($95 annual fee), but for a $150 upgrade offer, after spending $1,000 within the first three months. Not as great, but it still leaves you ahead.
Upgrading takes under a minute. Clicking the link will take you to the offer details, and you’ll simply need to confirm and click upgrade. American Express states that the new card will take 7-10 days to arrive in the mail.
Conclusion
If you’ve already received a welcome offer for the American Express Everyday Preferred card like I have, this is an excellent opportunity to earn some extra Membership Rewards points. I’d not be surprised if Amex is running offers for other card products, so check your accounts to see what might be available! My Hilton card account wasn’t showing an offer, but I did just downgrade that card.
H/T: Frequent Miler
