The rules on this are now the same whether you are reapplying for a personal or business American Express card.
The application terms for American Express personal cards or business cards have this language “This offer is not available to applicants who have or have had this product.”
This means you can never get another sign-up bonus for any personal or business American Express card that you already had, no matter how long ago you canceled it. (but oddly I do think that the cards drop off because I got a second personal Platinum card with a bonus).
Also, due to the Marriott/SPG merger, there is this additional language when you are applying for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card by American Express. This language states that “Effective 8/26, welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase, The Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase, or The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from JP Morgan in the last 30 days.”
There is this additional language when you are applying for the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card by American Express. “Effective 8/26, welcome offer not available to applicants who (i) have or have had the Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card from Chase or Marriott Rewards Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, (ii) have acquired The Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase or The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase in the last 90 days, or (iii) received a welcome offer in the last 24 months on The Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase or The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase.
Sometimes you may not remember whether you have had the product in the past or you just may want to try again. Well now you can stop yourself before pressing that final application button. It has been reported that Amex will give you a heads up if you are ineligible for a sign-up bonus before submitting the final application. They will even ask you whether you want to proceed with the credit check after they make you aware that you are ineligible for the bonus. At that points, you can cancel the application.
Wouldn’t it be great if every bank did this? I would likely play all day!