American Express may test higher credit card welcome bonuses

Major credit card issuers and airlines are implementing changes to rewards programs, affecting how consumers earn and redeem travel points. American Express may be testing increased welcome bonuses for several cards. Reports suggest the consumer Amex Platinum Card could see an offer of up to 185,000 Membership Rewards points after $11,000 in spending, an increase from the current 175,000-point ceiling. Other potential increases include the Amex Gold and various Delta-branded cards.

In the broader rewards landscape, Chase has reportedly adjusted language regarding Sapphire Reserve hotel credits, while Discover has seen changes to its $2 forgiveness policy. Airlines continue to face a tension between high demand for loyalty programs and the increasing difficulty of redeeming points for high-value award seats. Recent trends include devaluations in award pricing by programs like Flying Blue and increased automation in searching for award availability, which complicates the ability for travelers to secure premium cabin seats.