I've tried a few variations of self referrals with both Amex Gold and Aeroplan - within the same card families - with either little or no result. Next time I might try to do a self-referral outside the card family, but in the opposite direction you did, for sh*ts and giggles: using my Amex Gold Card to self-referral to an Aeroplan.

But, I've been reading a lot of posts that people doing legit referrals need to call in to get the Amex Gold referral points lately though, so maybe not a wise gamble...?

I pulled the self-referral trick last year, so I don't know for sure for this time of the year.

What is sure is that I was able to refer my spouse to the Amex Gold Card, from the Aeroplan Gold Card! I did it 2 months ago.

When my Amex Platinum wife referred me to Aeroplan Gold a year and a half ago, we did not get any automatic referral points (although we asked and agents said we would get it in 8-10 weeks - probably they were mistaken)

It took many secure messages, many phone calls, at least one snail mail letter to executive resolution, and a one-time courtesy from a supervisor calling back to allow her to get the referral MR points based on pulling up a recorded call with front line agents who promised her it would happen. All in all, maybe 4-5 months?

Did your wife keep her Platinum account active the whole time with at least 1 purchase a month?

20k-30k per year annual spend, was primary card

It was her second year of being a cardholder as she was grandfathered at the $399 rate

Clear cache, cookies, make sure any ad or script blocker (....... plus for instance) is entirely disabled. Then start the application process back from GCR link.
If this doesn't solve it, then it's probably on the site's side.

It must be on their side... I tried everything.

I would be careful in keep trying to apply. If you cannot go through just forget the $25 and apply over the phone. By keep trying to apply depending how far along the process you go it can be hitting your credit. My S/O had this issue with TD a few months ago. Ended up being denied for the card. Red flag on your credit report. So I would be careful. It is only $25 you are saving so spending a whole day on it just to save $25 is not worth it IMO, especially if it hits your credit...

It doesn't hit the credit. It only hits it when you answer the security questions.

Not true. It pulls the security questions without hitting your credit, even though that is where the questions come from.

Once you answer the questions correctly, it hits your credit.

Would this trick work with AMEX?

For me, the application went all the way to the security questions twice, and only crashed after submitting them all correctly. I actually called MBNA because I, too, assumed it had pulled my credit. They assured me it had not. I didn't trust their word so I paid $16.99 for monthly TU report and sure enough it had not.

The majority of Amex products, and presumably the ones you would be interested in, are "charge cards" rather than credit cards. Since there is supposedly no pre-set limit, there is no credit for the to move around. So this would not work.

OK, but can I tell them: "I already have a X card with you, please cancel it and give me a brand new Y card instead." ?

Nope. If you aren't approved then there is no harm in asking, but chances are they will say no.

having the same problem. The website does this all the time.

I could be wrong, but it worked for me during non-peak hours. Maybe that makes a difference?

Nope... I even tried Saturday night at 2AM.

Now I remember. Use a different browser. Doesn't seem optimized for Chrome.

just tried apply SPG SMB card, been told you can just keep 2 AE card at most :confused: is that true ? I thought SMB card don't use personnel credit info?

I already have Costco AE card for 10 years (for credit history purpose obviously can't cancel) and personnel SPG AE card (apply last mon haven't got SPG points yet), so obvious can't cancel both, what's my options?

It's true. I've said it many times in the Amex threads, that Amex Canada will only allow (most) people to carry TWO of their CREDIT card products (SPG, SimplyAmex/Costco, Airmiles, Blue Sky). You can apply for as many CHARGE cards as your credit worthiness can handle, but only 2 CREDIT cards, and for you, the SimplyAmex (former Costco) and SPG Personal are already 2. Applying for the SPG Biz would be a distinct 3rd CREDIT card.

Options...cancel one of your older cards, else abort the current new card application.

But if you do choose to cancel your Personal SPG, you may or may not get the referral points (assuming you self-referred). FWIW, in the past, I've had very good Amex customer service to help me stick-handle around this type of situation, but YMMV.

There might be dubious value to actually keeping that first AMEX for its credit history. I've found that every AMEX card I've opened since I got my first one (except business) has been assigned the Opened date of my first AMEX in 2009. In other words, if you open another AMEX and correctly enter a card number you already have where it asks you - you should get a opened since date of whenever you got your first card with them, and it's basically like doing a product switch since you still have that account age on your report.

I'm in the funny situation where the more AMEX accounts I've opened, the more my credit score has gone up as each card I have been getting has been adding to the average age of my accounts.

Amex MR to Aeroplan 25% transfer bonus
 

Added: Disregard below as per TelFunku

I just received an email from Aeroplan for the new transfer bonuses. Amex Membership Rewards are an option right now. Convert 100,000 MR points to Aeroplan and receive a 25,000 Aeroplan bonus.

In the Aeroplan email you have to click through to the Diners Club option and then Amex MR (Canada and US) are there in addition to Diners Club and CIBC Aventura option.

Here is the link from my email in case you didn't receive one:
http://www4.aeroplan.com/earn_miles/more_miles.do (Amex MR details)
http://www4.aeroplan.com/promotions/...&cid=001259544 (transfer bonus details)

Promo page specifically notes that "while the conversion of Membership Rewards® points from American Express Cardmember accounts into Aeroplan Miles is still possible, it is not eligible for this bonus mile promotion."

No bonus on Amex MRs.

Amex USA airline transfer partners 1:1. Didn't realize it was so extensive.

Drooling here:

Delta Skymiles, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue (KLM & Air France), Alitalia MilleMiglia, Cathay’s Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, El Al Israel, Emirates Skywards, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia Plus, Jet Blue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Elevate, Virgin Atlantic, All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

Hmm, I feel tricked. That's sneaky.

Thanks for this info trg11.

Can you confirm that works from personal charge card to personal credit card (ie: Amex MR Gold to SPG to Amex Aero back to Amex MR Gold)? Perfect timing for this as I was just about to cancel before opening a new one.

Ever since I opened up my first Amex Gold Rewards, all subsequent personal cards have picked up the same year (but month is the month I opened the new card).

I do not have my first Amex Gold any more, but the member since year on all other cards is still being reported as such.

Why? Based on the history in my signature, Amex MR has been excluded for years. Also, it's not one of the logos shown on the promo (all hotels and car rentals) either, so little reason to expect it to count

Pre-Oct 2013 devaluation Aventura cardholder transfers aren't eligible either.

Yep - my first AMEX was a Blue Sky I opened back in 2009. Every personal card I've opened since then shows my "Member Since" as 09 and on my report as well, though with the actual month I opened the card. Since then I've entered any AMEX card I've had and I've been able to keep the chain going.

I was told by an Amex CSR,, Always keep ONE card open, great for future churning. I always keep My Blue Sky ( No Fee ). open. All the other cards I churn.
I have an Amex card since 1998.

HA! Excellent observation! And thanks for sharing! ^

Is there an Aeroplan credit card for students?

Yup, offered by CIBC.

https://www.cibc.com/ca/visa/aero-pl...dent-card.html

You most likely will have no issues getting approved with no prior credit history/substantial income.

I can confirm as well. It's one of the benefits of being a long-time Amex cardholder. Each new Amex card bumps up my average age of accounts value, and with it a corresponding increase in my score.

I'm not sure if you need to supply a previous Amex card number during the application, as you should be able to call and have the Member Since adjusted anyways. Also, some people hint that you don't even need to always have at least one card opened, though I have my doubts about this

See this thread for relevant info:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ber-since.html

JJJ

Just looked at my cards. My Biz Plat shows 2014 (got in Nov-ish), and my Gold says 2015 (got it in Jan). Shouldn't it say 2014?? I guess I'll call them. Could it have something to do with it being a Biz card? I'd assume not.

Edit: Just got off the phone with them, they told me it was a mistake and they will update my file and send me a new card right away! Also, they are backdating it to when I was AU last year, on a card that was closed almost a year ago. So I'm wondering if you do, in fact, need to have any Amex card opened in order for them to backdate it

Good datapoint, zer0k1! The big plus is that not only do they update the cosmetic on the card, but also in the credit file. But, wait...as an AU? On a Canadian card? If so, I'd like to gift my wife with my Member Since date, particularly in her credit profile, as she's only ever been an AU, till she started churning cards recently. I thought the AU 'benefit' for the Member Since was only for US Amex cards. So, do tell how you achieved this. PM, if you'd like, thanks! :)

I think the "Member since" it's just a recognized thing, it has nothing to do your credit file, since each credit card file age is separate, when you open a new AE card for 3 month, activity report will be only 3 month, it won't be start from 2009

On my Equifax report, my Date opened for cards opened in 2014 show 2012 instead (but with the correct month that I actually opened it).

Number of months reported is based on actual statement cycles.

It absolutely DOES have an effect on your credit file. Not only does it list the OPENED date as the MSD, but also my Average Age of Accounts *INCREASES* when I open a new Amex card, with corresponding score INCREASE. :D