Apr 16, 2014, 6:59 am
Last edit by: Hyacinthe
This thread is a continuation of discussion which began HERE in 2011.
Referrals and self-referrals are an important part of churning Canadian-issued American Express cards. It is appropriate to discuss how the referral process works in this thread. However, please do not offer or request referrals here.
Use only this thread, and do read the Wikipost carefully before posting:
Referral Offers (post only in this thread, no referral links, read Wiki post first).
JerryHung: I figure I'll include all CURRENT AMEX Canada offers here (no referral links) for anyone curious about what the bonus and fees are
This is not an all-inclusive list, only the "good" offers, so feel free to add new offers
AMEX Platinum - $699/year, 60K MR (via referral) after $1000 spending in 3 months vs. 50K non-referral
AMEX Gold Rewards - $150/year, FYF, 25K MR after $500 spending + $50 cashback from GCR
AMEX Air Miles Platinum - $65/year, FYF, 2000 Air Miles after $500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
New as of 2014/10/09
AMEX Business Gold - $250/year, FYF, 30K MR after $5000 spending (or 40K via referral)
AMEX Business Platinum - $399/year, 40K MR after $5000 spending (or 50K via referral)
Referrals and self-referrals are an important part of churning Canadian-issued American Express cards. It is appropriate to discuss how the referral process works in this thread. However, please do not offer or request referrals here.
Use only this thread, and do read the Wikipost carefully before posting:
Referral Offers (post only in this thread, no referral links, read Wiki post first).
JerryHung: I figure I'll include all CURRENT AMEX Canada offers here (no referral links) for anyone curious about what the bonus and fees are
This is not an all-inclusive list, only the "good" offers, so feel free to add new offers
AMEX Platinum - $699/year, 60K MR (via referral) after $1000 spending in 3 months vs. 50K non-referral
AMEX Gold Rewards - $150/year, FYF, 25K MR after $500 spending + $50 cashback from GCR
AMEX Air Miles Platinum - $65/year, FYF, 2000 Air Miles after $500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
New as of 2014/10/09
AMEX Business Gold - $250/year, FYF, 30K MR after $5000 spending (or 40K via referral)
AMEX Business Platinum - $399/year, 40K MR after $5000 spending (or 50K via referral)
Churning Amex in Canada (2014)
Apr 23, 2014, 8:31 am
#586
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Bonvoy, Alaska, Avios
Posts: 1,290
I just keep dumping all my (and my wife's) MR accounts into Aeroplan. She just hit the $3k threshold in her Biz card so there's another 28K. Shame about the card going to $250/yr. However it does allow for a referral from that card to the Plat card I'm going to apply for. And when it's close to 6 months my biz gold is going to refer her to a Gold personal card and the train starts up again.
That is IF Amex keeps this whole referral thing going.
That is IF Amex keeps this whole referral thing going.
Apr 23, 2014, 8:35 am
#587
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Aeroplan Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott
Posts: 1,839
I used that trick early last year for personal gold card referrals and it was not reliable for getting referral bonuses, so I stopped using the trick and generated referral links according to the T&C.
Apr 23, 2014, 10:23 am
#588
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Isn't it just basically recommending the Plat card, then switching to the gold card then sending out invitations for apps on the gold card so you get 15k bonus?
Apr 23, 2014, 11:30 am
#589
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Bonvoy, Alaska, Avios
Posts: 1,290
Yup.
Worked for me so far.
Worked for me so far.
Apr 23, 2014, 8:28 pm
#590
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
So the question is: if she applies for the gold card, (inputting in her platinum number on the app), gets it THEN closes the plat will they automatically transfer to the gold? I know when I went up to plat from gold it worked, but I want to make sure before we try the other way.
Apr 23, 2014, 10:31 pm
#591
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 309
Thanks folks, glad to hear that it does work the other way. 
She applied tonight and was instantly approved, hopefully they merge and we're good to go.
We didn't want to dump them into Aeroplan because we like the flexibility that MR has (transfer bonus to Avios, statement credit ability, etc.), while aeroplan isn't exactly known for keeping the interests of their members at the fore. AMEX doesn't either of course, but at least they're kind enough to use lube and smile......
She applied tonight and was instantly approved, hopefully they merge and we're good to go.
We didn't want to dump them into Aeroplan because we like the flexibility that MR has (transfer bonus to Avios, statement credit ability, etc.), while aeroplan isn't exactly known for keeping the interests of their members at the fore. AMEX doesn't either of course, but at least they're kind enough to use lube and smile......
Apr 24, 2014, 5:28 am
#592
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
Data point for Sign-up Bonus on AeroplanPlus Gold:
Rec'd my first statement today and it show the 30K sign-up bonus. It should post to my Aeroplan account in the few 1-2 days.
Rec'd my first statement today and it show the 30K sign-up bonus. It should post to my Aeroplan account in the few 1-2 days.
Apr 24, 2014, 8:45 am
#593
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Bonvoy, Alaska, Avios
Posts: 1,290
Have to say Amex is on the ball re:Platinum Card. I applied last night, got a call just now and all is approved! I have a credit watch on my account so they have to call to verify that I indeed did apply. They also courier the card out which is nice as I've had issues with a card go missing.
Apr 24, 2014, 1:59 pm
#596
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,734
Reading this thread is a bit like drinking from a fire hose!
Do I understand correctly that as a Plat member, I can self-refer to add an Amex Gold, and claim the referral bonus?
Thanks!
Do I understand correctly that as a Plat member, I can self-refer to add an Amex Gold, and claim the referral bonus?
Thanks!
Apr 24, 2014, 2:31 pm
#597
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YYZ (YUL/LHR)
Programs: AC - E50, CX - G, Accor Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 903
The rules of referral programme do not allow this; however if you do not have a spouse to exchange referrals with, many have tried, tested and reported self referral success.
Apr 24, 2014, 2:37 pm
#598
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,536
Existing Plat better off self refer to Gold Rewards (unless you mean you had the Aeroplan Plat)
Apr 24, 2014, 3:07 pm
#599
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Marriott Gold
Posts: 952
I just called about my Plat bonus, and they said it should post within 3-4 business days. Had to add it manually or something like that as it was referring to my Gold bonus which of course had already posted. 
Apr 24, 2014, 5:54 pm
#600
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: yow,yvr,yxx
Programs: aeroplan airmiles priorityclub choiceprivilege asiamiles spg bw
Posts: 317
VH, it wasn't my intention to advise you to wait 8-10 weeks. This 'holding period' may be stated policy, but I would use this opportunity to CALL Amex to complain that you KNOW that these points are normally posted within a day of the threshold spending (based on info that you have from your siblings, family, friends)...ask for your call to be transferred to a supervisor/mgr, and see if you can get them to compensate you for the anguish.
For simple matters, using the Secured-Message system while logged in at Amex.ca, is sufficient/suitable. For missing points, as discussed MANY times within the past few months, it's best to CALL and speak to a rep. Weekday business hours are the best times to call, in my experience.
Good luck.
For simple matters, using the Secured-Message system while logged in at Amex.ca, is sufficient/suitable. For missing points, as discussed MANY times within the past few months, it's best to CALL and speak to a rep. Weekday business hours are the best times to call, in my experience.
Good luck.
It looks like whether you get your issue resolved or not depend very much on which csr you talk to ... ^