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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It is important you seek the independent advice of an appropriately qualified professional before making a decision on a product from the information you have obtained from this website and associated sources.

What does ‘bank-issued’ or ‘American Express-issued’ mean when it comes to Amex cards? was last modified: October 31st, 2019 by Keith