Here’s the scenario. You just applied for a credit card offering a healthy sign up bonus that you are excited about. A week later, the same credit card increased their sign up offer and now you are bummed you didn’t wait a week.
All is not lost, there are ways to get that bonus matched.
What To Do When A Credit Card Bonus Goes Up Shortly After Getting Approved
To start with, don’t bury your head in your hands.
It’s not the end of the world! Hopefully, the difference is only 10,0000 – 20,000 points and not something high like 50,000 points.
The sign-up bonus on a credit card can often be elusive, with no set amount depending on different offers or if you were targeted for a different offer altogether. Usually, the banks test out various sign-up bonuses in various web locations to see which one tempted most people to apply.
All of these shenanigans can make the decision on when to apply for a credit card a rather difficult one.
Of course, you want to to get the highest possible bonus when you apply so you sit and wait for the most opportune time to do so.
Check out the video for 3 tips to get the highest Sign Up Offer.
Personally, I only apply for cards when I see the golden words: “Limited Time Offer“. I may not know if that’s the highest it’s ever going to be but at least I take comfort in knowing that it’s the highest it’s going to get right now. Some times the bank will say, “Offer ends December 15”.
What if you applied for a card for a certain number of bonus points and the bonus goes up a few days or weeks after you’ve already been approved?
Are you out luck? The answer is not really.
Banks are wary of displeasing their customers and are well prepared for cases like this. From your end, all you’ll need to do it contact them via phone or secure message via your credit card portal and politely ask them to match the offer you applied for with the current higher offer.
Another strategy is if the first person you speak to on the phone does not budge is to ask to speak to a supervisor who might be able to pull a few more strings. If that fails, H.U.C.A Hang Up Call Again.
After the call, one of 3 things can happen:
- They match the current higher offer and you will be credited with the difference upon completing the minimum spending challenge.
- They refuse to match the bonus but offer a smaller number of points or some other incentive for the inconvenience.
- They refuse to match the bonus and do not offer you anything.
You have a 2/3 chance to get something and I personally like those odds!
To make things even easier for you, here are a list of the major US banks and their attitude towards matching bonus offers:
| Bank | Matching | Notes |
| Chase | Yes | Matches provided within 60 days of application |
| American Express | No | Might be able to receive a goodwill bonus |
| Citi | Yes | Matches provided within 90 days of application |
| Barclay | No | A Supervisor might be able to match |
If you are considering applying for a credit card and it is not currently offering a limited time higher bonus then getting a Chase or Citi credit card is pretty good insurance in that you can get the difference in points if the public bonus offer does go up shortly after you’ve been approved for it.
What is your experience with getting your bonus matched?
