Full glossary
approval
Pop-Up
Amex Application Pop-Up
Definition
A warning screen that appears during an Amex application stating you're not eligible for the welcome bonus on this card. Effectively a soft-decline of the bonus, not the card.
Why it matters
Pop-ups appear if you've held the card before, have too many recent Amex cards, or have a spend-pattern Amex doesn't like. Common workaround: wait 6+ months and re-apply, or change the application source (referral link vs incognito public).
Related terms in approval
5/24 Rule
Chase will decline new credit card applications if you've opened 5 or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Includes business cards from some issuers.
BIS
Business credit cards. From most major issuers (Chase, Amex, Citi, Cap One), business card applications don't appear on your personal credit report, so they don't count against 5/24 or other personal-card limits.
Lifetime Language
Amex's policy: you can only earn the welcome bonus on a given card 'once per lifetime' per the application terms. Different Amex cards have different lifetime rules.
Downgrade
Converting an existing credit card to a different card in the same family (e.g., Amex Platinum → Amex Gold) instead of canceling and reapplying.