Jan 7, 2017, 4:18 pm
Last edit by: mia
Referrals and self-referrals are an important part of maximizing rewards from 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).
This thread is a continuation of: Churning Amex in Canada (2016). All the listed offers below are still valid as of January 2017.
Jerry: Aug 2017 latest update, all-in-one summary
New as of Mar 23, 2017, minimum spend up to $3000 now
AMEX Platinum Rewards - $699/year, 60K MR (via referral) after $3000 spending in 3 months vs. 50K non-referral
New as of March 23 2016.
AMEX Business Platinum Rewards - $399/year, 75K MR (via referral) after $5000 spending in 3 months vs. 40K non-referral
Updated as of July 21, 2017
AMEX Gold Rewards - $150/year, FYF, 25K MR after $1500 spending + $50/$60 cashback from GCR. New as of Jan 15, 2017, on a referred signup: and an additional 5,000 Membership Rewards points for one approved Supplementary Card added to your account at time of online application. That’s a total of 30,000 Membership Rewards points.
AMEX Business Gold Rewards - $250/year, FYF, 30K MR after $5000 spending (or 40K via referral)
AMEX Air Miles Platinum - $65/year, 2000 Air Miles after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
July 18-Oct 18, 2017 - welcome offer increased 5K to 25K.
Sep 28, 2017 - Personal and Business SPG bonus drops from 10K to 5K per approved referral.
AMEX SPG - $120/year, 25K SPG after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
- if you applied recently for the SPG card at the 20K welcome level, try contacting Amex by Secured Message to ask if they can match the current 25K offer. Several successful datapoints have surfaced with manual addition of 5K at next statement. YMMV.
New as of July 2016
AMEX Aeroplan Plus Platinum - $499/year, 50K Aeroplans after $1000 spending in 3 months (or 51K via referral). The 50K/51K, extra 10K promo expired on April 01, 2016, but started up again July - Sep 30th, 2016.
New card as of Sep 25 2017
AMEX Cobalt CREDIT card - $10/month ($120 annually)
Apply through GCR for $50 Rebate https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/...s/Amex-Cobalt/
This is not an all-inclusive list, only the "good" offers, so feel free to add new offers.
AMEX Platinum Rewards
- Earn 15K MR for each referral you make
(Note: from Mar 23 - Jun 29 the bonuses were 75K welcome and 25K referral points)
AMEX Business Platinum Rewards
- Earn 25K MR for each referral you make
AMEX Gold Rewards
- Earn 10k MR for each referal you make.
This thread is a continuation of: Churning Amex in Canada (2016). All the listed offers below are still valid as of January 2017.
Jerry: Aug 2017 latest update, all-in-one summary
New as of Mar 23, 2017, minimum spend up to $3000 now
AMEX Platinum Rewards - $699/year, 60K MR (via referral) after $3000 spending in 3 months vs. 50K non-referral
New as of March 23 2016.
AMEX Business Platinum Rewards - $399/year, 75K MR (via referral) after $5000 spending in 3 months vs. 40K non-referral
Updated as of July 21, 2017
AMEX Gold Rewards - $150/year, FYF, 25K MR after $1500 spending + $50/$60 cashback from GCR. New as of Jan 15, 2017, on a referred signup: and an additional 5,000 Membership Rewards points for one approved Supplementary Card added to your account at time of online application. That’s a total of 30,000 Membership Rewards points.
- July 11, 2017, Amex Gold MR will no longer earn referral points.
- July 21, 2017, no other Amex MR card can refer to Gold MR
AMEX Business Gold Rewards - $250/year, FYF, 30K MR after $5000 spending (or 40K via referral)
AMEX Air Miles Platinum - $65/year, 2000 Air Miles after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
July 18-Oct 18, 2017 - welcome offer increased 5K to 25K.
Sep 28, 2017 - Personal and Business SPG bonus drops from 10K to 5K per approved referral.
AMEX SPG - $120/year, 25K SPG after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
- if you applied recently for the SPG card at the 20K welcome level, try contacting Amex by Secured Message to ask if they can match the current 25K offer. Several successful datapoints have surfaced with manual addition of 5K at next statement. YMMV.
New as of July 2016
AMEX Aeroplan Plus Platinum - $499/year, 50K Aeroplans after $1000 spending in 3 months (or 51K via referral). The 50K/51K, extra 10K promo expired on April 01, 2016, but started up again July - Sep 30th, 2016.
New card as of Sep 25 2017
AMEX Cobalt CREDIT card - $10/month ($120 annually)
Apply through GCR for $50 Rebate https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/...s/Amex-Cobalt/
- Earn 2,500 Membership Tiered Rewards points for each month where you spend $500 (up to 30,000/year).
- Limited Time Offer: Apply by Jan 30, 2018 and you can earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $3K in 3 months.
- See discussion thread for more details: 2017 American Express Cobalt (Canada)
This is not an all-inclusive list, only the "good" offers, so feel free to add new offers.
Referral Difference Between Cards:
Please note there is a maximum annual referral bonus you can make per card.
AMEX Platinum Rewards
- Earn 15K MR for each referral you make
(Note: from Mar 23 - Jun 29 the bonuses were 75K welcome and 25K referral points)
AMEX Business Platinum Rewards
- Earn 25K MR for each referral you make
AMEX Gold Rewards
- July 11, 2017, Amex Gold MR will no longer earn referral points.
- July 21, 2017, no other Amex MR card can refer to Gold MR
- mid-May 2016, increased from $500 to $1500 required spending.
- Jan 11 to mid-May 2016, the Gold card earned 0 referral points.
- Earn 10k MR for each referal you make.
American Express Canada application and reward strategies (2017)
May 8, 2017, 7:03 pm
#586
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,408
I think I may have brought this up before, but with personal experience of everyone here, what are the odds that if I make a refundable purchase to fullfill the spend requirement, receive the points, then refund the purchase 3-4 months down the line (having now passed the spend requirement even without this purchase, just not within the first 3 months) the welcome points get clawed back? Or should I be in the clear?
May 8, 2017, 9:25 pm
#587
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
I'm guessing you already know this, but they would give you a transfer ratio per the exchange rate, so you would be getting approx. CAD 0.02 value per Amex Canada MR, not USD 0.02.
I'm actually considering transferring the other way, later this year. I may transfer my 200K Amex USA MR balance to ~270K Amex Canada MR and transfer to Aeroplan.
I'm actually considering transferring the other way, later this year. I may transfer my 200K Amex USA MR balance to ~270K Amex Canada MR and transfer to Aeroplan.
May 8, 2017, 11:05 pm
#588
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium Elite, VSE/MVC Chairman's Club
Posts: 547
Thanks for this. There are a couple of good points here.
In a scenario where you may have other PRIMARY Amex Small Business cards in your profile, you do run a small risk that if an Amex rep is alerted and aware of this, then you may get denial of the new Biz card's bonus points. There have been reports of this happening, but so seldom that I wouldn't be deterred from applying for different second/third Amex Biz card product. Anyways, in this case, I would not contact Amex if points are not posting right away, and play it like the personal cards...wait patiently for up to 8-10 weeks, or more.
However, if a person only has a SUPPLEMENTARY Amex Business card (as you mentioned), my opinion is that it does not matter, it will be not be treated as a second Biz card in the profile to cause denial of points. I haven't seen mention of this scenario though, thus it's just my 'opinion', so if others can provide clearer anectdotal info that SUPPLEMENTARY Biz cards will negate eligibility for welcome offers on a new Biz card, please share.
When I posted my reply above, it was for a case where there appeared to be NO OTHER Business card in the mix, so I suggested to call Amex to query for the status of points.
In a scenario where you may have other PRIMARY Amex Small Business cards in your profile, you do run a small risk that if an Amex rep is alerted and aware of this, then you may get denial of the new Biz card's bonus points. There have been reports of this happening, but so seldom that I wouldn't be deterred from applying for different second/third Amex Biz card product. Anyways, in this case, I would not contact Amex if points are not posting right away, and play it like the personal cards...wait patiently for up to 8-10 weeks, or more.
However, if a person only has a SUPPLEMENTARY Amex Business card (as you mentioned), my opinion is that it does not matter, it will be not be treated as a second Biz card in the profile to cause denial of points. I haven't seen mention of this scenario though, thus it's just my 'opinion', so if others can provide clearer anectdotal info that SUPPLEMENTARY Biz cards will negate eligibility for welcome offers on a new Biz card, please share.
When I posted my reply above, it was for a case where there appeared to be NO OTHER Business card in the mix, so I suggested to call Amex to query for the status of points.
We've kept the supplementary card open for now, since the annual fee isn't due again until Sep
May 9, 2017, 4:30 am
#589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
May 9, 2017, 5:28 am
#590
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
May 9, 2017, 6:00 am
#591
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
May 9, 2017, 6:16 am
#592
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I'm not getting a retention offer for my Amex Platinum card so thinking of self-referring to the Business Amex Plat instead. I see the annual fee is $399 instead of $699, but there is no $200 travel credit which is fine.
Are there any other major differences between the 2 cards? I don't see Centurion Lounge access with the biz card even though Priority Pass lounge access is there. Is this correct?
Are there any other major differences between the 2 cards? I don't see Centurion Lounge access with the biz card even though Priority Pass lounge access is there. Is this correct?
May 9, 2017, 7:02 am
#593
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
I'm not getting a retention offer for my Amex Platinum card so thinking of self-referring to the Business Amex Plat instead. I see the annual fee is $399 instead of $699, but there is no $200 travel credit which is fine.
Are there any other major differences between the 2 cards? I don't see Centurion Lounge access with the biz card even though Priority Pass lounge access is there. Is this correct?
Are there any other major differences between the 2 cards? I don't see Centurion Lounge access with the biz card even though Priority Pass lounge access is there. Is this correct?
Last edited by Low Roller; May 9, 2017 at 7:17 am
May 9, 2017, 7:41 am
#594
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
I wrote about this before, in a post comparing the Plat vs Biz Plat Lounge access, here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27795885-post133.html
May 9, 2017, 12:35 pm
#595
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Thanks for the quick responses. Paying $27 for PP lounges does not interest me. 
May 9, 2017, 1:23 pm
#596
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,408
As LR mentioned, the Biz Plat does give access to the Centurion lounges, and the Priority Pass is basically nothing but a free membership (you must pay US$27 per visit). The Biz version also grants access to the Plaza Premium lounges.
I wrote about this before, in a post comparing the Plat vs Biz Plat Lounge access, here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27795885-post133.html
I wrote about this before, in a post comparing the Plat vs Biz Plat Lounge access, here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27795885-post133.html
http://www.executivelounges.com/
but... they also include "non-Servisair third party" lounges in their program so it's REALLY confusing.
Aspire lounges are definitely Servisair (/Swissport, since Servisair isn't actually a thing anymore) lounges so I'd count on those being included, but... the others, nobody seems to know. Here's a specific list of Aspire lounges:
http://www.executivelounges.com/aspire
May 9, 2017, 7:44 pm
#597
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
As LR mentioned, the Biz Plat does give access to the Centurion lounges, and the Priority Pass is basically nothing but a free membership (you must pay US$27 per visit). The Biz version also grants access to the Plaza Premium lounges.
I wrote about this before, in a post comparing the Plat vs Biz Plat Lounge access, here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27795885-post133.html
I wrote about this before, in a post comparing the Plat vs Biz Plat Lounge access, here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27795885-post133.html
May 9, 2017, 10:17 pm
#598
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, YUL, PEK
Posts: 429
All Platinum and Biz Platinum Amex cards worldwide allow 2 guests.
May 11, 2017, 8:33 am
#599
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 308
It's worth noting that both personal and biz Platinum cards let you into the Plaza Premium lounges in YYZ and YVR. They are part of the Priority pass network, but have a separate agreement with Amex. I've used them with my Biz Plat card with no extra fees.
May 11, 2017, 9:53 am
#600
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 821
To answer the first question, I was told that Air Canada will consider all kinds of partnerships going forward, and hasn’t decided on any particular ones yet. So only time will tell if Amex Membership Rewards will be an Air Canada transfer partner.
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...yalty-program/
I think Aeroplan can do a huge devaluation very soon to reduce their liability
and AMEX can reduce their transfer rate to "new" programe to reduce their liability too
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...yalty-program/
I think Aeroplan can do a huge devaluation very soon to reduce their liability
and AMEX can reduce their transfer rate to "new" programe to reduce their liability too