Amex cardmembers: Check if you’re targeted for up to 20,000 points by enrolling in Pay Over Time

The story has been updated.

The American Express Pay Over Time program allows eligible cardholders to pay eligible charges over time with interest.

Amex sometimes offers targeted promotions of up to 20,000 bonus Membership rewards points for cardmembers to enroll in the program.

You don't have to use the program in order to receive the bonus. The most important of the 10 commandments for travel rewards credit cards is to pay your balance in full. If you want to get points on these cards, you have to pay a high interest rate.

How to see if you’ve been targeted

Membership rewards points are worth $400 at current valuations. More cards are now eligible for the targeted enroll bonus after another round of offers was sent out recently.

Amex cards can be used to enroll in Pay Over Time.

You will receive a confirmation email with your Pay Over Time limit and interest rate.

You have a guide to Amex pay over time.

You can check if you are targeted for this promotion.

You can sign up for our newsletter.

• Check your email for an offer from American Express. Subject lines may vary, but could be something like: “Good news, Nick! You’re eligible to earn 20,000 Points by activating a flexible payment option".
• Check your physical mail for a mailer from American Express.
• Check this link.

When I switched my American Express account to one that didn't have The Platinum Card, I was happy to see that it said "Activate today and you'll receive 20,000 Membership Reward® points." I got a targeted offer for that card.

The best Amex cards are related.

How — and why you might want — to turn off Pay Over Time

Many Amex cards have Pay Over Time embedded. You won't be eligible for these offers. I applied for a business award. The pay over time feature was set to "On" by the introductory annual percentage rate of zero through January 2023.

You can turn off Pay Over Time by going to account services, payment and credit options, and manage pay over time setting. You can select off on that screen. If you turn off the feature, you will be able to enroll again in the future. If you have received a Pay Over Time bonus in the past but still have the setting turned on, you should turn it off so you don't miss out on another bonus.

Bottom line

Amex gives bonus points for signing up for its pay over time feature. You should be on the lookout for an email from Amex. If you click on this link, you can see if you have been targeted.

We don't recommend carrying a balance on travel rewards cards that have high interest rates. Pay Over Time is not worth it if you don't get a bonus for doing so and never pay interest.

The additional reporting was done by Emily Thompson.