Question

How do I maximize the Amex welcome bonus?

Asked by Bas on February 24, 2026

I want to apply for a Flying Blue Amex and I see there is a welcome bonus. How do I make sure I get the maximum bonus?

Remco de Graaf Founder of SkyStatus and Director of Content at Reshift Digital. Founder of Zoom.nl (120,000 users) and Zoom Academy (80,000 paying students). Flying Blue Platinum member since 2005 with 15+ mileage runs across 50+ countries.

Expert answer

How to maximize the Amex welcome bonus

The welcome bonus is the most lucrative moment of your credit card. With the right timing and strategy, you can earn tens of thousands of extra miles.

Understand the bonus structure

The Flying Blue Amex welcome bonus is simpler than you might think. The only requirement is to spend at least EUR 1 per month on the card. The welcome bonus is paid in two installments. Period 1 (months 1-6): make at least one purchase every month, and you receive 50% of the bonus in month 7. Period 2 (months 7-12): again make at least one purchase every month, and you receive the remaining 50% in month 13. The two periods are evaluated independently: miss any month within a period and you forfeit the bonus for that entire period, not just that month. The current welcome bonuses:

Flying Blue Amex Gold: up to 40,000 miles
Flying Blue Amex Platinum: up to 70,000 miles

Timing is everything

Plan your application strategically around moments when you already have large expenses:

Holiday period: booking flights, hotels and rental cars
Annual insurance: paying health, travel or car insurance in one go
Large purchases: new laptop, washing machine, or other electronics

The more you spend, the more regular miles you earn on top of the welcome bonus. But remember: you only need to spend EUR 1 per month to secure the bonus.

Make sure you use the card every month

The most important thing with the welcome bonus: make sure you make at least one payment per month with the card. Put recurring payments on your new card: groceries, fuel, streaming services, telecom subscriptions. Even a single small purchase per month is enough to secure the bonus for that period.

Important warnings

Never spend more than your budget allows. Always pay off your balance in full. Also note: some payments (government transactions, certain money transfers) do not count toward the welcome bonus.

Upgrade strategy

A smart approach: start with the Gold Card, receive the welcome bonus of 40,000 miles, and upgrade to the Platinum after a few months. This way you may receive a welcome bonus twice. Always check the current terms with American Express, as the rules change regularly.

After the bonus

Once you have reached the maximum welcome bonus, evaluate whether the card suits you in the long term. The Gold Card (EUR 16.50/month, 1 mile/euro, 30 XP/year) is the best value for most people long-term. The Platinum (EUR 55/month, 1.5 miles/euro, 60 XP/year) is more interesting if you want to build status quickly.

My tip

Based on my experience tracking Flying Blue for years, I recommend using the SkyStatus calculator to model your personal scenario. Every situation is different, and the numbers above are guidelines, not guarantees.

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Last verified: February 24, 2026

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