Actually, the referral bonus is alive and well in Canada! 8K bonus for a referral, better than the US version has even been. All you need is a Canadian bank account and a residential address in Canada. You don't need to enter your SIN.

I have a different potential problem concerning this bonus but didn't want to start a new thread so...
I barely met this spending requirement for the extra 15,000 point bonus last month and immediately saw the points posted in my account after I did. Unfortunately one of the payments I made to reach that threshold was an Amazon Payment to my brother who is apparently having trouble getting his (shady?) credit union to link to his newly-opened account to access the payment. It looks like he may just have to send me back the money. If he does, my SPG AMEX will be credited back that payment, which would then, retroactively, put me below the spending threshold I'd previously reached. My question is, would SPG then reclaim that 15,000 point bonus since I didn't actually reach the spending threshold? Just want to make sure before I have my brother give up on his credit union and just send the money back to me.
Thanks for any help.

I would just charge something else to keep above the threshold. Buy a gift card to your grocery store or prepay a utility or cell phone bill.

I think I forgot to mention that the time period for the spending ended last month. Would continued spending now have any effect on that potential refund of last month's charge, in the sense of keeping the points I had previously qualified for?
(I think I'm confusing myself.)

I applied for the business SPG AMEX few weeks back on the AMEX site, and 10K initial points posted within a day after 1st purchase. For those having trouble with the 15K bonus posting, do they seem to be the personal or business versions of the card?

Well, I've spent 4 of the $5K and really hope the 15K reward goes smoothly... But, I am definately getting nervous after reading these experiences. Amex needs to quit jerking people around. Its really sad that we even have to worry about this stuff. Hopefully we will all get our bonuses hassel free and timely!

Amex tries really hard to position themselves as a high-end elite company, and I'm sure for their Centurion cardholders, they offer great service.

But for the rest of us, it's business as usual. And, if you see the new prepaid and reloadable products they're pushing, they're moving downscale to where the fat fees are. So service should only deteriorate further.

Make sure you get what you deserve, but don't expect an easy time of it.

I am $100 away from passing the $5k threshold...I will keep everyone posted when I get these 15k pts!

Got this card today, albeit with a ridiculous $2k limit. Credit score in the high 700's. Why issue me a hotel card that I could max out in less than a week of stays?! (I realize I am not exactly the first person with this issue) Anywho, here goes, hope it's smooth sailing on the bonus front. Will call now to activate and confirm.

I've got the personal card. I messaged them again, but am still waiting for a response with any amount of substance in it.

I struck out on my third try through the secure messaging center.

Thanks for taking the time to email me, Brian.

I have reviewed your account, as well as the prior email correspondence and was only able to verify that you were eligible for the 10,000 bonus points, which you have already received. Our records indicate that you applied under the following promotion:

Existing Cardmembers who apply online and are approved for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express through this offer between May 1, 2012, and November 1, 2012, can get:

10,000 bonus Starpoints once they make the first purchase on the Card (built-in Welcome bonus) within the first year (365 days) of opening the account.
Introductory annual membership fee of $0 for the first year, then an annual membership fee of $65 after that

I understand that promotions are constantly changing, but we can not honor a different promotion, other than the one that we show your account being linked to. I wish that I was able to extend the promotion to you, but unfortunately we are unable to, my hands are tied in this situation.

I hope you understand our position in this matter.

I replied by asking to escalate this to the responder's supervisor. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to give up.

If I cancel an spg Amex card, does spg deduct from my account the already-credited two stays/five nights associated with the card? Or, once credited, are they locked in there?

Thanks for any clarification.

I was offered 7,500 Starpoints as a good will gesture. I'm semi-happy.

I wonder what they mean by "Existing Cardmembers who apply online..."??
Did you previously have the SPG Amex card ?? And maybe somehow not be eligible for the 15,000 bonus or something?

Ive only had this card for a short time and Im kinda of excited about its rewards... However, I will feel forced to cancel If I dont recieve the 15,000 Starpoints I was promised... Just wont feel comfortable usinging the card... I would feel cheated... Im not really sure 7,500 starpoints will change my mind either...

I never had an SPG Amex card. I had a Green Card and Premier Card when I applied and was accepted. I was told the reason I wasn't eligible for the 15,000 point bonus was because I was already an AMEX member. That didn't stop them from giving me a 25,000 bonus (which I didn't even have to ask for) on my Premier Card a couple of years ago.