After applying for a credit card, is it enough just to complete the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus? Actually, you can keep monitoring changes to that card’s sign-up bonus. If a higher offer appears, you may be able to ask the bank to match that higher bonus. Today, let’s summarize how different banks handle credit card sign-up bonus matches and how to request one.

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【2019.5 Update】Citi AA cards used to be very generous with sign-up bonus matches: you could match not only the latest public offer, but even targeted offers, just by using online chat. Recently, Citi appears to have tightened the matching requirements. You may need to provide the targeted mail/email offer, and the representative will verify it before approving a match. If you can find an image of a targeted offer online, you may want to try using secure message. If it truly doesn’t work, don’t push it.

Introduction to Sign-Up Bonus Matching

Credit card sign-up bonuses change constantly based on each bank’s strategy and market conditions. If a bank wants to gain market share, it may significantly increase the bonus; if it feels a card is not performing as expected, it may reduce the bonus. Naturally, the best time for us to apply is when the sign-up bonus is at its highest. But timing doesn’t always work out. Sometimes you get approved for a card, and then just a few days later you see a better offer and regret not waiting.

Some banks do have a sign-up bonus match policy. For example, if a better sign-up bonus appears within a certain period after you receive the card, you may be able to ask the bank to match the better offer. That means if you keep an eye out for improved offers over the next few months, you may still be able to turn things around. However, each bank handles sign-up bonus matches differently. Below is a summary of each bank’s general policy and how to request a match.

Note: In general, the new sign-up bonus being matched is a public offer, meaning anyone can click through and see it. Targeted offers—such as offers sent to someone else by email or mail—are usually much harder to match. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try.

American Express

General Policy

AMEX is often praised as a generous bank, but when it comes to matching sign-up bonuses, it is actually quite stingy. Its policy can be summarized as follows:

  • No official sign-up bonus matching, but possible goodwill compensation: For example, suppose you applied for the AMEX SPG credit card with a 25,000-point sign-up bonus, and then in March the card showed a historical high of 35,000. If you contact customer service through online chat or call the number on the back of the card, the usual response is that “AMEX does not match sign-up bonuses.” However, if you continue the conversation, some representatives may offer some Goodwill points as a consolation. This is not the same as matching the sign-up bonus, so the amount may vary from person to person (YMMV). These goodwill points may depend on factors such as your conversation with the representative, your history with AMEX cards, your spending on AMEX cards, and so on.
  • These points usually post to your account immediately: Since this is goodwill compensation, the points generally appear in your account right away.

How to Get It

Call the customer service number on the back of the card, or use AMEX online chat. Explain the sign-up bonus you originally applied for and the current higher bonus, and ask for a match. If the representative refuses, politely explain that you like the card, spend a lot on it, and so on. Often they may give some goodwill compensation. Of course, if the representative still refuses, you can hang up and call again, or ask to speak with a supervisor. But keep one thing in mind: AMEX does not have an official sign-up bonus match policy. Any compensation you receive comes from polite, reasonable communication, so keep a good attitude. If you can’t get anything, don’t get upset.

Chase

General Policy

Chase is one of the most generous banks when it comes to matching sign-up bonuses. Its policy can be summarized as follows:

  • Matches new sign-up bonuses that appear within 90 days of application: For example, if you applied for the Chase Freedom credit card with a 10,000-point sign-up bonus, and within 90 days the card shows the current highest 17,500-point sign-up bonus, then you may be able to match it by sending a Secure Message or calling customer service directly. The 90-day limit is strict: within 90 days it is usually fine, but after that it becomes very difficult.
  • You must meet the spending requirement of the new bonus: For example, the current British Airways co-branded credit card offers 100,000 total points after spending 20,000 in the first year. If you applied under an earlier offer and want to match to this one, you will also need to spend 20,000. Remember, the time period for completing the spending requirement is still based on your original account opening date, not the date of the match.
  • After a match, the annual fee follows your original offer: The British Airways co-branded credit card offers 100,000 total points after spending 20,000 in the first year, but the first-year annual fee of $95 is not waived. If you originally applied for a 50,000-point offer with the first-year annual fee waived, and then later matched to the 100,000-point offer, Chase generally will not charge you the first-year annual fee. See details here: British Airways co-branded credit card review
  • Extra statement credits are very hard to match: Chase airline and hotel co-branded cards often show offers with an extra statement credit when booking hotels or airfare. For example, with the IHG credit card, you might see an 80,000 + $50 offer while booking a room. In cases like this, Chase may match the 80,000-point portion, but the extra $50 is very hard to match. See details here: IHG credit card match data points
  • Matched points usually appear after the next statement: After you complete the spending and any other requirements, the matched points usually appear on the next statement. It’s best to contact customer service again after meeting the spending requirement to confirm the points will post.

How to Get It

The easiest method is to send Chase a Secure Message. In general, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate department, and you should receive a reply within 1–3 business days.

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Steps to request a match:

  • Select the credit card you want to match in the message center and send a message
  • In the message, explain your card opening date, the original bonus, and the best current sign-up bonus you found; it is best to include the current link or an image
  • After sending it, wait 1–3 days for the reply

Of course, calling is also an option, since the 90-day match policy is an established rule.

Citi

General Policy

Citi is more middle-of-the-road when it comes to matching. Some representatives may approve a match, while others may not, but overall it tends to be better than AMEX. Its policy can be summarized as follows:

  • May match a new sign-up bonus found within 90 days: For example, if you applied for the Citi AA credit card with a 50,000-point sign-up bonus, and then received a targeted 60,000-point offer by email, you can contact customer service and ask to match the 60,000-point offer.
  • You must meet the spending requirement of the new bonus: For example, the Citi Primer credit card once briefly had a 60,000-point sign-up bonus requiring $3,500 in spending, while the standard 50,000-point bonus required only $3,000. To match, you would need to spend the extra $500.
  • Matched points usually appear after the next statement: After you complete the spending and any other requirements, the matched points usually appear on the next statement.

How to Get It

Citi phone representatives are often not very knowledgeable, so it can be hard to match a sign-up bonus by phone. If you do call and the match request is denied, ask to speak with a supervisor, which may improve your chances. The best method is still to use Citi’s secure message system.

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Steps to request a match:

  • Select the credit card you want to match in the message center and send a message
  • In the message, explain your card opening date, the original bonus, and the best current sign-up bonus you found; it is best to include the current link or an image
  • After sending it, wait 1–3 days for the reply

Other Banks’ Policies

  • Barclays: Can match sign-up bonuses; similarly, send a secure message or call
  • Discover: Very hard to get a sign-up bonus match; asking for a supervisor gives you a small chance
  • Bank of America: You may be able to get a sign-up bonus matched by phone, but if the card has already been downgraded, matching is not possible. The match window is unclear; some people have reported success even after more than half a year

How to Find the Best Sign-Up Bonus to Match

  • Follow the latest updates on our blog; when there is a highest-ever offer, it is usually added to the homepage
  • Check your mailbox and inbox for targeted offers
  • Look up each bank’s prequalify offers; you may find a higher bonus: How to check Prequalify offers (Chapter 3)

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