American Express Changes Membership Rewards Linking Policy
The company has ended the automatic linking of new rewards accounts to existing customer profiles.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Credit Cards
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American Express has discontinued its practice of automatically combining Membership Rewards accounts when a cardholder opens a new account. Customers must now take manual steps to ensure their points are aggregated into a single profile.
Why it matters
This shift in policy requires cardholders to be proactive during the acquisition of new cards to avoid having multiple, disjointed rewards balances. Failing to link these accounts may prevent users from easily managing or redeeming their total accumulated points.
The change affects all new Membership Rewards accounts issued as of October 2026. The previous automatic consolidation standard has been replaced entirely by manual linkage requirements.
The players
American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company that provides customers with access to products, insights, and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.
The details
Cardholders now have two primary methods to consolidate their points: linking their new card during the initial application process or contacting American Express by phone after the card is approved. These manual actions are necessary to combine balances that previously would have merged automatically.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: American Express implemented the new policy regarding card account linking.
Market Dynamics
This policy update reflects a move toward more granular account management protocols that align with broader industry trends in digital financial administration. It marks a departure from legacy systems that prioritized automated convenience for existing cardholders.
Customers must manually link new accounts to maintain a consolidated points balance and avoid fragmented rewards. This necessitates closer attention to account settings when opening any new credit product.
The takeaway
Always verify your account linking status immediately after receiving approval for a new credit card. Taking a few minutes to confirm your rewards are combined saves the frustration of managing multiple separate point balances.
Further reading
For more information on managing your rewards points, visit the Credit Cards section.
Live Poll
Should credit card companies automatically link new rewards accounts to your existing balance?
