Clarifying the position with Amex Platinum and Amex Gold referral bonuses

It is clear from two emails I’ve received this week that (not surprisingly) people are getting totally confused about the constant changing of the referral rules for getting the sign-up bonuses on the American Express Platinum and American Express Gold charge cards.

I thought I would quickly run through the current position on both cards.  As I posted yesterday, the sign-up bonus on the ‘no fee for the first year’ Gold card is now back to 20,000 Membership Rewards points, so a reminder is timely.

American Express Platinum

Sign-up bonus when referred: 52,000 Membership Rewards points (= 52,000 Avios etc) when you spend £2,000 in the first three months

Sign-up bonus when applying directly: Nothing.

Card fee: £450, but you can cancel as soon as you have triggered the bonus for a pro-rata refund

Do I qualify for the bonus? You only qualify for the bonus if you do not have any Amex-issued Amex cards. You do NOT qualify if you hold a British Airways, SPG, Nectar, Gold, Green, Platinum Cashback, Costco or Harrods Amex. (If you have an Amex issued by MBNA, Lloyds or any other third party, then you are OK as these cards are not issued directly by Amex.)

If you do not qualify because you have one of the cards listed above, consider getting the card for your partner. Amex Plat looks for a household income of £40,000, so even a non-working spouse should qualify if you earn enough yourself.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Sign-up bonus when referred: 22,000 Membership Rewards points (= 22,000 Avios etc) when you spend £2,000 in the first three months

Sign -up bonus when applying directly: 20,000 Membership Rewards points.

Card fee: Free for the first year, then £125

Do I qualify for the bonus? You do not qualify for the bonus if you have an Amex Green or Platinum charge card (ie a card that gives Membership Rewards ponits) or have had such a card in the last six months.  There is also a £20,000 household income requirement.

How do I get a referral?

Funnily enough (!), I can help you with that if you do not know anyone who holds a Platinum or Gold card.  Drop me an email at rob [at] headforpoints.com together with your first and last names, e-mail address and the card you want referring for.

I receive a chunk of Membership Rewards points in return for referring you, all of which helps to offset the costs of running the site.

---

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2024 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending.