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)
Mar 25, 2017, 11:16 am
#406
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,534
Obviously his co-worker is looking to self refer instead of giving the poster a second referral bonus
Mar 25, 2017, 1:53 pm
#407
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
Very forthright of you, NJD. I came across a similar situation at my office too. Coworker wanted to use my referral to open a Personal Gold, advised him to self-refer from his own Biz Gold (I had already referred him for this). All good.
Selfies are by and large ok. We discussed this a couple of months ago in this thread. It's not 100% but when you can't exchange referrals from a partner, just go for it. You still get the welcome points on the new card. The only people who get upset if points are 'lost', are the 'hunters'.
Mar 25, 2017, 2:22 pm
#408
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 107
I applied for an Amex Personal Gold a month ago but was declined. I was thinking maybe it's cuz I cancelled the Amex Biz Gold a few weeks before my application.
Two weeks ago I called they said it's due to "security measures" but would not give out further details. Does anyone know what that means?
Two weeks ago I called they said it's due to "security measures" but would not give out further details. Does anyone know what that means?
Mar 25, 2017, 2:48 pm
#409
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZish
Posts: 300
Yep. Seems pretty clear to me too.
Very forthright of you, NJD. I came across a similar situation at my office too. Coworker wanted to use my referral to open a Personal Gold, advised him to self-refer from his own Biz Gold (I had already referred him for this). All good.
Selfies are by and large ok. We discussed this a couple of months ago in this thread. It's not 100% but when you can't exchange referrals from a partner, just go for it. You still get the welcome points on the new card. The only people who get upset if points are 'lost', are the 'hunters'.
Very forthright of you, NJD. I came across a similar situation at my office too. Coworker wanted to use my referral to open a Personal Gold, advised him to self-refer from his own Biz Gold (I had already referred him for this). All good.
Selfies are by and large ok. We discussed this a couple of months ago in this thread. It's not 100% but when you can't exchange referrals from a partner, just go for it. You still get the welcome points on the new card. The only people who get upset if points are 'lost', are the 'hunters'.
Mar 25, 2017, 8:00 pm
#410
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
So if your friend also has an Amex CC such as the Airmiles, SimplyCash, BlueSky, etc, then self referring from the SPG to SPG Biz is going to be an issue.
Mar 25, 2017, 9:22 pm
#411
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,165
I'm in a situation where I need to return a new camera I bought with my new AmEx personal Gold card.
At the time of purchase, the transaction was large enough (I paid $850 for it) that I crossed the $1500 threshold with it, and received the 25,000 welcome points after making the purchase.
Returning the camera is something I totally did not think would happen, but the camera I bought just does not meet my needs, so I need to return it.
However now I'm worried because it sounds like I'll get into big trouble when I return my camera...can anyone help me out here?
What should I do?
Mar 25, 2017, 10:16 pm
#412
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
Does it become a problem when you refund a purchase after getting the sign-up bonus?
I'm in a situation where I need to return a new camera I bought with my new AmEx personal Gold card.
At the time of purchase, the transaction was large enough (I paid $850 for it) that I crossed the $1500 threshold with it, and received the 25,000 welcome points after making the purchase.
Returning the camera is something I totally did not think would happen, but the camera I bought just does not meet my needs, so I need to return it.
However now I'm worried because it sounds like I'll get into big trouble when I return my camera...can anyone help me out here?
What should I do?
I'm in a situation where I need to return a new camera I bought with my new AmEx personal Gold card.
At the time of purchase, the transaction was large enough (I paid $850 for it) that I crossed the $1500 threshold with it, and received the 25,000 welcome points after making the purchase.
Returning the camera is something I totally did not think would happen, but the camera I bought just does not meet my needs, so I need to return it.
However now I'm worried because it sounds like I'll get into big trouble when I return my camera...can anyone help me out here?
What should I do?
On another topic, you should give consideration to the extended warranty that you will lose when you purchase large merchandise on a card that you plan to cancel.
Mar 25, 2017, 11:49 pm
#413
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,033
Does it become a problem when you refund a purchase after getting the sign-up bonus?
I'm in a situation where I need to return a new camera I bought with my new AmEx personal Gold card.
At the time of purchase, the transaction was large enough (I paid $850 for it) that I crossed the $1500 threshold with it, and received the 25,000 welcome points after making the purchase.
Returning the camera is something I totally did not think would happen, but the camera I bought just does not meet my needs, so I need to return it.
However now I'm worried because it sounds like I'll get into big trouble when I return my camera...can anyone help me out here?
What should I do?
I'm in a situation where I need to return a new camera I bought with my new AmEx personal Gold card.
At the time of purchase, the transaction was large enough (I paid $850 for it) that I crossed the $1500 threshold with it, and received the 25,000 welcome points after making the purchase.
Returning the camera is something I totally did not think would happen, but the camera I bought just does not meet my needs, so I need to return it.
However now I'm worried because it sounds like I'll get into big trouble when I return my camera...can anyone help me out here?
What should I do?
Can you buy some gift cards? Prepay a utility bill for a few months?
Mar 26, 2017, 10:11 am
#414
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 822
Yes,make sure that you make enough purchases so that your net purchases equal or exceed the $1500 spend requirement....BEFORE you return the camera.
Mar 27, 2017, 10:36 am
#415
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YQM
Posts: 341
Received my new Gold Rewards today (second-time cardholder, cancelled last August) by FedEx (gotta love this). No new MR account, the Gold has been linked to my existing Personal Plat MR account. 
I was expecting that to happen, as I provided my Plat number during application. Will try differently next time.
I also applied in a rush and forgot to add a supplementary cardholder during the application. I'll do it now, upon activating, but the offer is only 1000 pts/card.
Will report once I cross $1500 min spend. As mentioned earlier, 15k referral bonus posted shortly after approval to my partner's Personal Plat.
I was expecting that to happen, as I provided my Plat number during application. Will try differently next time.I also applied in a rush and forgot to add a supplementary cardholder during the application. I'll do it now, upon activating, but the offer is only 1000 pts/card.
Will report once I cross $1500 min spend. As mentioned earlier, 15k referral bonus posted shortly after approval to my partner's Personal Plat.
Mar 27, 2017, 1:20 pm
#416
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
Received my new Gold Rewards today (second-time cardholder, cancelled last August) by FedEx (gotta love this). No new MR account, the Gold has been linked to my existing Personal Plat MR account. I was expecting that to happen, as I provided my Plat number during application. Will try differently next time.
I also applied in a rush and forgot to add a supplementary cardholder during the application. I'll do it now, upon activating, but the offer is only 1000 pts/card.
Will report once I cross $1500 min spend. As mentioned earlier, 15k referral bonus posted shortly after approval to my partner's Personal Plat.
I was expecting that to happen, as I provided my Plat number during application. Will try differently next time.I also applied in a rush and forgot to add a supplementary cardholder during the application. I'll do it now, upon activating, but the offer is only 1000 pts/card.
Will report once I cross $1500 min spend. As mentioned earlier, 15k referral bonus posted shortly after approval to my partner's Personal Plat.
As for forgetting to add the supplementary cardholder at application for 5K, someone earlier mentioned that they had applied JUST before the promo began, and an Amex rep gave a manual adjustment for adding the supplementary card. Not sure if you want to risk having Amex peer into your details though, vis-a-vis the repeated churn circumstances.
Mar 27, 2017, 5:28 pm
#417
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YQM
Posts: 341
If anything, the auto-merged MR account might just delay your welcome points, and if so, don't call and ask for an explanation. Or, maybe you'll end up seeing them auto-post right away, regardless. There doesn't seem to be a perfect and proven chemistry for the successful repeat points.
As for forgetting to add the supplementary cardholder at application for 5K, someone earlier mentioned that they had applied JUST before the promo began, and an Amex rep gave a manual adjustment for adding the supplementary card. Not sure if you want to risk having Amex peer into your details though, vis-a-vis the repeated churn circumstances.
As for forgetting to add the supplementary cardholder at application for 5K, someone earlier mentioned that they had applied JUST before the promo began, and an Amex rep gave a manual adjustment for adding the supplementary card. Not sure if you want to risk having Amex peer into your details though, vis-a-vis the repeated churn circumstances.
On a different note, if anyone plans on booking an AC flight to Asia/Pacific, check your emails. It may be targetted.
Mar 27, 2017, 9:21 pm
#418
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
New Card Activation
Hey Everyone,
Sorry, first post and a bit of a noob here. Thanks for all of the valuable info so far on the forum, it's great!
I tried searching for the answer but was having some trouble locating an answer.
I had AMEX Personal Gold and self referred to AMEX Small Business Plat. All is great, and already got my self referral MR on my Gold Card account. Now, when activating my new AMEX Small Business Platinum I logged in under my existing AMEX username. There are two card tabs at the top and my AMEX gold point balance has my existing points and when I toggle my Small Business Platinum, the points balance is at 0. Will I still qualify for my Small Business Platinum welcome bonus or are you supposed to create a new online log in account when activating your new card?
Sorry, first post and a bit of a noob here. Thanks for all of the valuable info so far on the forum, it's great!
I tried searching for the answer but was having some trouble locating an answer.
I had AMEX Personal Gold and self referred to AMEX Small Business Plat. All is great, and already got my self referral MR on my Gold Card account. Now, when activating my new AMEX Small Business Platinum I logged in under my existing AMEX username. There are two card tabs at the top and my AMEX gold point balance has my existing points and when I toggle my Small Business Platinum, the points balance is at 0. Will I still qualify for my Small Business Platinum welcome bonus or are you supposed to create a new online log in account when activating your new card?
Mar 27, 2017, 10:15 pm
#419
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canadia
Programs: A loyal Amerisuites customer... oh wait
Posts: 2,033
Crud.
A few months ago, my Amex Gold card was approaching end-of-first-year.
Self-referred to Amex Business Gold card.
I received the 5,000 points for the self-referral.
I cancelled the Amex Gold card a little while later, before end-of-first-year on it.
On my Amex Business Gold card:
I limped over the minimum spend of $5,000 for the first 3 months.
I just got my 3rd statement, but there was no 40,000 bonus points on there.
• I have held the Amex Business Gold card in the past (2013).
• The front of my new Amex Business Gold card says I have been a member since '16.
Might I still get points?
Is there anything I should do?
A few months ago, my Amex Gold card was approaching end-of-first-year.
Self-referred to Amex Business Gold card.
I received the 5,000 points for the self-referral.
I cancelled the Amex Gold card a little while later, before end-of-first-year on it.
On my Amex Business Gold card:
I limped over the minimum spend of $5,000 for the first 3 months.
I just got my 3rd statement, but there was no 40,000 bonus points on there.
• I have held the Amex Business Gold card in the past (2013).
• The front of my new Amex Business Gold card says I have been a member since '16.
Might I still get points?
Is there anything I should do?
Yes, contact Amex. There's no published reason why you shouldn't get the welcome bonus again on a Business card product. If the Amex rep says it's only once per lifetime, then CHALLENGE them on that point, because those types of no-repeat bonus notes are ONLY on the Personal card products. Don't bring it up, just ask them why you haven't received the points yet.
But, you've only just recently surpassed the $5K spending, right? So you might be told that it could take 8-10 weeks for the points to post. Tell them you need the points to make an award booking and you're anxious to get the points ASAP. If nothing else they may gift you some sympathy points to soften your sorrows and pains. Yes, it happens.
BTW, the Member Since date on the front of Business cards are always the year that you opened the card, it doesn't list your personal MS date.
Once was sad, now am Happy Guy
But, you've only just recently surpassed the $5K spending, right? So you might be told that it could take 8-10 weeks for the points to post. Tell them you need the points to make an award booking and you're anxious to get the points ASAP. If nothing else they may gift you some sympathy points to soften your sorrows and pains. Yes, it happens.
BTW, the Member Since date on the front of Business cards are always the year that you opened the card, it doesn't list your personal MS date.
Once was sad, now am Happy Guy
Thanks for the advice. Points have posted, several days after the next month's statement.
Mar 27, 2017, 10:25 pm
#420
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Hey Everyone,
Sorry, first post and a bit of a noob here. Thanks for all of the valuable info so far on the forum, it's great!
I tried searching for the answer but was having some trouble locating an answer.
I had AMEX Personal Gold and self referred to AMEX Small Business Plat. All is great, and already got my self referral MR on my Gold Card account. Now, when activating my new AMEX Small Business Platinum I logged in under my existing AMEX username. There are two card tabs at the top and my AMEX gold point balance has my existing points and when I toggle my Small Business Platinum, the points balance is at 0. Will I still qualify for my Small Business Platinum welcome bonus or are you supposed to create a new online log in account when activating your new card?
Sorry, first post and a bit of a noob here. Thanks for all of the valuable info so far on the forum, it's great!
I tried searching for the answer but was having some trouble locating an answer.
I had AMEX Personal Gold and self referred to AMEX Small Business Plat. All is great, and already got my self referral MR on my Gold Card account. Now, when activating my new AMEX Small Business Platinum I logged in under my existing AMEX username. There are two card tabs at the top and my AMEX gold point balance has my existing points and when I toggle my Small Business Platinum, the points balance is at 0. Will I still qualify for my Small Business Platinum welcome bonus or are you supposed to create a new online log in account when activating your new card?
Good thing AMEX created new AMEX MR account for you, should make 75K easier/faster after crossing $5000