Last edit by: MasterGeek
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 (2017). All the listed offers below are still valid as of January 2018.
AMEX Business Gold Rewards - $250/year,FYF, 40K MR (by referral, else only 30K) after $5000 spending
(no longer FYF as of Jun 26, 2018)
Updated as of Jan 22, 2018
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. Thats a total of 30,000 Membership Rewards points.
AMEX SPG - $120/year, 25K SPG after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
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 thread is a continuation of: Churning Amex in Canada (2017). All the listed offers below are still valid as of January 2018.
AMEX Business Gold Rewards - $250/year,
(no longer FYF as of Jun 26, 2018)
Updated as of Jan 22, 2018
AMEX Gold Rewards - $150/year,
- 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
- Jan 22, 2018, as of Sep 14, 2017 the Amex Gold MR is no longer FYF. $150/yr applies on first statement. Only another Gold or Cobalt card can refer to Gold (and vice versa) for a 5,000 MR bonus. The Personal Gold cannot refer to Business Gold, Personal Platinum nor Business Platinum.
AMEX SPG - $120/year, 25K SPG after $1500 spending + $30 GCR cashback
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)
American Express Canada application and reward strategies
#451
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,581
#452
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YYZ
Programs: Amex MR, SPG, Aeroplan
Posts: 129
Are they starting to lock down on the personal-biz cross referral? Or is personal plat now in the world on its own?
#453
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
Yes I've updated it in my RFD CC thread
Other AMEX changes I noticed - I wish AMEX has a "release log"
- Biz Plat can only refer to Biz Plat AND Biz Gold (no more Plat). However, my previously saved Biz Plat>Plat link still works (and takes me to Plat page), but I'm afraid to try anyway
- Plat can only refer to Plat (no Biz Plat or Biz Gold)
I'll also quote here
Other AMEX changes I noticed - I wish AMEX has a "release log"
- Biz Plat can only refer to Biz Plat AND Biz Gold (no more Plat). However, my previously saved Biz Plat>Plat link still works (and takes me to Plat page), but I'm afraid to try anyway
- Plat can only refer to Plat (no Biz Plat or Biz Gold)
I'll also quote here
bengigan wrote: ↑AMEX Biz Plat changes to referral structure:
Before - 15k referral bonus / 60k signup / 7k spend / $499 AF
After - 25k referral bonus / 75k signup / 7k spend / $499 AF
CanPost - no referral bonus / 75k signup / 5k spend / $399 AF
This change makes the case to push you from CanPost to taking a referral from spouse/family
Pay an extra $100 for the 25k more points (100k vs 75k)
Before - 15k referral bonus / 60k signup / 7k spend / $499 AF
After - 25k referral bonus / 75k signup / 7k spend / $499 AF
CanPost - no referral bonus / 75k signup / 5k spend / $399 AF
This change makes the case to push you from CanPost to taking a referral from spouse/family
Pay an extra $100 for the 25k more points (100k vs 75k)
#454
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,163
I just got my biz gold card and it looks like this card only gets 5K points for referrals now, which is terrible.
Is it possible to product change from a new biz gold card to a biz plat card?
I just got the biz gold card in the mail the other day and haven't had a chance to activate it yet.
Is it possible to product change from a new biz gold card to a biz plat card?
I just got the biz gold card in the mail the other day and haven't had a chance to activate it yet.
#455
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
I just got my biz gold card and it looks like this card only gets 5K points for referrals now, which is terrible.
Is it possible to product change from a new biz gold card to a biz plat card?
I just got the biz gold card in the mail the other day and haven't had a chance to activate it yet.
Is it possible to product change from a new biz gold card to a biz plat card?
I just got the biz gold card in the mail the other day and haven't had a chance to activate it yet.
Not possible to switch, but if you really don't want it and spend $5K, go for Biz Plat directly? LOL
Just apply for new Biz Plat later (75K after $7K spending, $499 fee, if using a referral link)
#456
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, AMEX MR, Avios, Marriott, SPG, many more with negligible points
Posts: 167
I've taken a break from churning for a while, but now that I'm considering purchasing a new Mac (a $3k CAD purchase), I figured I'd look into what makes sense for me.
Right now, I have an AMEX Plat (non-biz) and an Alaska Airlines MasterCard. That's all.
I like collecting SPG points, but I've heard that the offer for that card is pretty bad now since the points merger with Marriott.
I saw that the CP Biz Gold an the CP Biz Plat both have $5k min. spend and to be honest, that's kind of high. Not sure if it's really worth it?
What do you guys recommend?
Right now, I have an AMEX Plat (non-biz) and an Alaska Airlines MasterCard. That's all.
I like collecting SPG points, but I've heard that the offer for that card is pretty bad now since the points merger with Marriott.
I saw that the CP Biz Gold an the CP Biz Plat both have $5k min. spend and to be honest, that's kind of high. Not sure if it's really worth it?
What do you guys recommend?
#457
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,581
I've taken a break from churning for a while, but now that I'm considering purchasing a new Mac (a $3k CAD purchase), I figured I'd look into what makes sense for me.
Right now, I have an AMEX Plat (non-biz) and an Alaska Airlines MasterCard. That's all.
I like collecting SPG points, but I've heard that the offer for that card is pretty bad now since the points merger with Marriott.
I saw that the CP Biz Gold an the CP Biz Plat both have $5k min. spend and to be honest, that's kind of high. Not sure if it's really worth it?
What do you guys recommend?
Right now, I have an AMEX Plat (non-biz) and an Alaska Airlines MasterCard. That's all.
I like collecting SPG points, but I've heard that the offer for that card is pretty bad now since the points merger with Marriott.
I saw that the CP Biz Gold an the CP Biz Plat both have $5k min. spend and to be honest, that's kind of high. Not sure if it's really worth it?
What do you guys recommend?
#458
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 152
Has anyone had a recent experience with applying for a new Plat card and getting the bonus miles after 3k spend even with recently having an AmEx card?
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
#459
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: *void
Posts: 2,408
Has anyone had a recent experience with applying for a new Plat card and getting the bonus miles after 3k spend even with recently having an AmEx card?
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
Since you have not had a Personal Plat card for at least 2 years, you should be good on this front, which brings us to the next potential issue. Ever since July 2015, Amex added notes to the footnotes/T&C, stating only one welcome bonus per card, and it's at their discretion on whether they will give it to you again or not. However, since that time almost everyone has been able to re-open a second time (churned) and still got the full welcome bonus after meeting the minimum spending requirement (MSR). There have been some growing frequencies of reported datapoints where someone was advised by Amex that they would not get the bonus again, and in some of those cases (particularly in 2015-2017) the cardholder still did get the welcome bonus anyways.
You should also be aware that the Personal Platinum card no longer has the quirky benefit of claiming a $200 annual travel credit over 2 years (eg, once for 2018 and once for 2019), within a cardholder's membership year. Now Amex has revised the policy and beginning Jan 1, 2019 it will be only ONE $200 travel per cardholder membership year. So if that was a factor in your choice to open the Personal Platinum, then the lowest you can bring the $699/yr AF down to is $499/yr.
#460
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: yvr
Posts: 38
Wondering if anyone here has experienced this.
I've had a Business Platinum card for 2 years and am wanting to apply for another business platinum for my second business.
Two questions:
can I have two business plats at the same time (one for each business)?
If i cancel my first business plat than get another business plat (for my other business) would I get the bonus signup points?
thanks in advance
I've had a Business Platinum card for 2 years and am wanting to apply for another business platinum for my second business.
Two questions:
can I have two business plats at the same time (one for each business)?
If i cancel my first business plat than get another business plat (for my other business) would I get the bonus signup points?
thanks in advance
#461
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 575
Has anyone had a recent experience with applying for a new Plat card and getting the bonus miles after 3k spend even with recently having an AmEx card?
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
I cancelled my Gold about 3 months ago and haven't had the Plat for at least 2 years.
Don't want to do the spend and then be told I don't qualify for Bonus
Any other strategies would be welcome
Thx !
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Da Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,472
Has anyone received their free night cert for the SPG Amex yet? There have already been 2 sweeps for the US SPG Amex card, one on Oct 2 and one today, Nov 2. I'd be interested in any data points anyone has. My annual fee just posted on Oct 24, so I'm guessing it might be a while yet.
#463
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7
Correct me if Im wrong, but you could possibly have 2 different biz plat for 2 biz
Wondering if anyone here has experienced this.
I've had a Business Platinum card for 2 years and am wanting to apply for another business platinum for my second business.
Two questions:
can I have two business plats at the same time (one for each business)?
If i cancel my first business plat than get another business plat (for my other business) would I get the bonus signup points?
thanks in advance
I've had a Business Platinum card for 2 years and am wanting to apply for another business platinum for my second business.
Two questions:
can I have two business plats at the same time (one for each business)?
If i cancel my first business plat than get another business plat (for my other business) would I get the bonus signup points?
thanks in advance
#464
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YVR
Posts: 625
Has anyone received their free night cert for the SPG Amex yet? There have already been 2 sweeps for the US SPG Amex card, one on Oct 2 and one today, Nov 2. I'd be interested in any data points anyone has. My annual fee just posted on Oct 24, so I'm guessing it might be a while yet.