You are mixing up a lot of things (and topics) in your post.
The Amex cards you mention up-thread (the ones with
MR sign-up bonusses) do not get discounted with M&M status, only the
M&M Amex cards (the ones earning M&M directly at a better ratio, issued by Swisscard AECS) do. @:-)
As far as your idea of simply signing up for one of these cards while residing in the UK as a Canadian expat - give it and try and report back.
