If you’ve ever wondered whether you should apply for a new Amex card now or wait for a better bonus, this guide is for you.
Earn
up to 40,000 Amex points
Annual Fee:
Rewards:
Earn
1
point
for every dollar in purchases charged to the Card
For the past six years, I’ve tracked every single welcome bonus for every Canadian-issued American Express card. This post pulls it all together to help you make smarter decisions about when to apply and which cards have the most potential value.
A full breakdown of every Amex Canada bonus since 2019, all in one place? Now that’s PointsWise.
Why Track Welcome Bonuses?
Because timing matters.
Welcome bonuses are the biggest reason to apply for a new credit card. But not all offers are created equal, and they fluctuate more than most people realize. For example:
- The Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve has ranged from 65,000 to 150,000 points. Apply Now!
- The Platinum Card has offered anywhere from 25,000 to 150,000 points. Apply Now!
- Even the Cobalt Card, which is known for its monthly earning structure, has seen sign-up bonuses as high as 50,000 points. Apply Now!
Knowing the historical highs (and lows) can help you avoid applying during a lull, and maybe even save your hard credit pull for something bigger down the road.
Methodology
I’ve manually tracked this data since 2019, focusing only on public welcome bonuses (no targeted or referral-only offers). This includes both personal and business cards, across all Amex rewards currencies: Membership Rewards, Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and Cashback.
Data is updated regularly and embedded directly from Google Sheets, so what you’re seeing is always current.
Highest-Ever Bonuses by Card (6-Years At a Glance)
| Card | Highest Bonus | Month/Year | Points Type |
| Amex Aeroplan Reserve | 150,000 | June 2021 | Aeroplan |
| Amex Aeroplan Business Reserve | 150,000 | July 2021 | Aeroplan |
| Amex Platinum | 150,000 | June 2021 | Membership Rewards |
| Amex Business Platinum | 150,000 | Nov 2024 | Membership Rewards |
| Amex Cobalt | 50,000 | August 2021 | Membership Rewards |
| Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business | 105,000 | July 2021 | Bonvoy |
| SimplyCash Preferred | $500 | Sept 2020 | Cashback |
Note: these are public offers, not referral or targeted.
Bonus Trends Over Time
Amex tends to push aggressive offers around spring and late summer, particularly May, July, and September. These months account for a majority of the highest historical offers across the lineup.
We’ve added charts for each card showing how their bonuses have evolved over time. You can explore by each card below:
Explore AMEX Canada Welcome Bonus History by Card
Use the dropdowns below to dig into each card’s data.
Common Questions
When is the best time to apply for an Amex card in Canada?
Historically, May, July, and September have been strong months for elevated bonuses across most major Amex travel cards.
Apply Now for these AMEX Canada Cards
Do welcome bonuses repeat?
Sometimes. Amex occasionally brings back a historical high, but there’s no set pattern. Some cards, like the Platinum, tend to cycle through higher offers more frequently, while others may go years between peak offers.
Further Reading: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold Canada – Which is Worth It for Travel?
Further Reading: Amex Platinum Card Canada Review 2025: Luxury Travel Benefits Worth $799?
Is it worth waiting?
It depends. If you’re earning a signup bonus to hit a specific travel goal (say, a flight to Europe), waiting 2–3 months could mean an extra 30,000–50,000 points. That’s a huge difference in value.
That said, offers can disappear with no notice, so if you’re seeing one near historical highs, it’s probably worth locking in.
Final Thoughts
This post was built for travellers who want to get serious about timing their credit card strategy. Understanding trends like this can help you get maximum value from each card application to travel better and go further with your points.
Check back often, we’ll keep this post updated as new bonuses roll out.
And if you want to see which offers are best right now, head to our Best Amex Welcome Bonuses in Canada roundup.
