Recent approvals suggest that more former holders of a popular travel rewards card may qualify for its limited‑time 100,000‑point welcome bonus. The news began when an editor unexpectedly received the offer after spending the required amount on a new account. That single case has since been followed by several similar approvals.
The initial approval came from an editor who had earned the bonus nearly fifteen years earlier. His experience was anecdotal at the time, but it hinted at a possible loophole in the issuer’s eligibility rules.
Following that, other long‑time cardholders who had closed their accounts years ago have also been granted the bonus. The growing number of approvals points to a pattern that warrants closer examination.
Over the past year, the issuer has modified its bonus eligibility criteria twice. First, a 48‑month restriction was replaced with stricter language suggesting that previous holders generally would not qualify again. Later, the rules were relaxed to allow holders who had not previously earned the bonus to apply for both cards.
Before applying, prospective customers should confirm that they have no current account of the same type, that they fall under the issuer’s unofficial 24‑month rule for new applications, that their first account was opened many years ago, and that they are comfortable with the fact that final eligibility is at the issuer’s discretion.
During the online application, the system may display a message indicating ineligibility for the welcome bonus. Applicants can cancel at that point if the bonus is their primary goal. If no message appears, the application may proceed to the next stage.
A pending application does not necessarily mean denial. In one case, the applicant’s request was placed under review after the issuer had already extended the maximum credit available on his other cards. By reallocating credit from an existing account, the application was approved the following day.
Successful applicants in the recent wave typically opened their first account between 2010 and 2012, closed it around 2016 or 2017, and had no current account of the same type. None of them encountered the ineligibility message during the application process. In contrast, newer applicants still receive that warning.
The issuer’s current terms state that the bonus “may not be available” for those who previously held the card or earned its welcome offer. However, the pattern of recent approvals indicates that the rule is not absolute and that some former holders may still qualify.
For individuals who first held the card fifteen years ago and have not had it in recent years, testing eligibility carries minimal risk. If the application process signals ineligibility before a hard credit check, the applicant can withdraw without impact. A successful approval could result in the card’s highest-ever welcome bonus.
