No More Churning of Bonus Points from American Express Credit Card

In the past, we can re-apply American Express credit card to gather sign-up bonus points every 12 months.  This is confirmed no longer the case.  The application page now shows,

Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product.

Current promotions are:

• American Express Hilton HHonors card with 50,000 Bonus Points with $750 minimum spending and no annual fee (expires 5/31/2014)
• American Express Hilton Surpass card with 75,000 Bonus Points with $3K minimum spending and $75 annual fee (expires 5/5/2014)

Like Chase's credit cards, if it is card applicant approved first-time for the particular credit card, card holder is eligible to receive sign-up bonus after fulfilling the minimum spending requirement within a time-frame.  What may have changed is that an existing Citi Hilton credit card holder may be eligible to apply for American Express Hilton card, because the restriction no longer says "existing Hilton credit card holder not eligible for bonus".

Because of this one-time eligibility, I would recommend to apply for a new American Express credit card only when excellent promotion is available.  We have enjoyed numerous free/discounted Hilton hotel stays last year.  I already have had American Express Hilton HHonors card in the past, so prefer to wait and see if there will be a much bigger bonus promotion for Hilton Surpass in the next 12 months (regular bonus is 65,000 Bonus Points).