How do you get the Amex Simply Cash $250 bonus?

There are two Amex Simply Cash $250 bonuses: one for spending $5,000 in the first six months your account is open and a second for spending another $10,000 in the first year. All told, that’s $500 for spending $15,000, which works out to 3% cash back. There are a few rules to be aware of before you sign up, though. 

Here’s how the Amex Simply Cash $250 bonuses work: 

• To get the first $250 bonus, spend $5,000 on qualifying purchases within six months of getting the card.  

• For the second $250 bonus, spend another $10,000 before your account’s one year anniversary. 

• Purchases made by you and any authorized users on your account will count toward the spending requirements. 

• Purchases that you return won’t count. If you return something after getting the credit, Amex could take it away. 

• Fees, interest, prepaid cards, person-to-person payments, and cash equivalents don’t count as eligible spending. 

• You’ll get your Amex Simply Cash $250 bonuses as statement credits, 8-12 weeks after you meet the spending requirements. If there’s a delay, you can call 1-800-528-4800, enter your card number, and ask to speak to a representative. 

• Your account can’t be canceled or past due when it’s time for your statement credits to post, or you could lose your cash. 

The two Amex SimplyCash $250 bonuses are a great benefit, and can get you up to $500. Plus, since the statement credits are automatic, you don’t have to worry about redemption. 

You just have to spend 5 grand in the first 6 months. I had to buy quite a lot of equipment, so I was lucky enough to fill the "quota" in the first 3.