[Targeted] American Express SimplyCash $300 & $500 Bonuses

The Offers

American Express have been sending out targeted bonuses for their SimplyCash card, these are the same offers that they sent out back in late May of this year. They are as follows:

• Receive a sign up bonus of $300 when you spend $1,000 or more within the first three months
• Receive a sign up bonus of $500 when you spend $5,000 or more within the first three months

You’ll notice the landing page works, but the apply button doesn’t and there is no RSVP code to call in with either. Most people report getting these by e-mail or a physical mail out but you might see the offer when you log in or check your pre-approved offers with American Express as well.

Card Details

• 5% cash back at office supply stores and on wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers
• 3% cash back on your choice of the following categories: Airfare purchased directly from US airlines, hotel rooms purchased directly from hotels, car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, U.S gas stations, U.S restaurants, U.S purchases for advertising in select media, U.S purchases for shipping. This category can only be changed once annually.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• You only earn  5% on a maximum of $25,000 per year (total rewards maximum = $1,250), after that you’ll earn 1%
• You only earn 3%  on a maximum of $25,000 per year (total rewards maximum = $750), after that you’ll earn 1%
• Can be enrolled in the American Express OPEN savings program

Our Verdict

Both of these offers are superior to the public bonus of $0 (although there is almost always a link floating around for the $250 after $5,000 spend offer – that link found from googling, be warned it might be an affiliate link but it’s definitely not mine).

I used to say that people would always be better off applying for the Chase Ink Plus or Chase Ink Cash instead as these cards also both earn 5x at office supply stores (and earn Chase UR points which are transferable as long as you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred with the Ink Cash card), but given that Chase is denying people with more than 5 inquiries, this card from American Express becomes a lot more attractive.

If I could get the $500 offer I’d sign up in a heartbeat, but unfortunately I wasn’t targeted for that one. If anybody gets the application links or a RSVP code to work then please let the rest of us know in the comments.