The Amex referral program is a great way for American Express cardholders to earn bonus points by referring friends or family members to apply for an American Express card.
And it's not just you who wins. Whoever you refer gets a bonus too. This is typically bonus points, but it might be something else, like a waived annual fee in the first year. It depends on what Amex are promoting at the time.
Let your friends know about the latest Amex credit card offers.
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Key takeaways
- Only refer friends and family members who do not currently hold an American Express card and have not held one in the last 18 months.
- Give your friends and family your referral link and instruct them to apply using that link.
- There is a referral cap and restrictions on sharing referral links.
How it works
The Amex referral program is simple to use. It can be accessed through the Amex app or website. Follow this step-by-step guide to refer a friend or family member.
- Log in. You can get your referral code in the Amex app or on their website.
- Go to the refer-a-friend page. This is normally advertised prominently on the account dashboard.
- Get your referral link. Any current referral offers will be clearly presented. Choose the offer you want to share and copy the link.
- Share it. You can share it from Amex or send it in a message or personal email.
Referral rules
As with any rewards program, the Amex referral program has rules you must follow to get the rewards.
- Get permission from the recipient first. Don't share a referral link with the recipient unless they have given you their express permission.
- Friends and family only. Don't share your American Express referral link if you do not know the recipient.
- No marketing campaigns. Referral links are not for sharing on your blog, social media profiles, or anywhere else where people you don't know could use it.
- You won't earn the referral bonus if they don't use your link. Double-check that they are using the correct link and not clicking through from somewhere else or using a different device.
What qualifies as a valid referral
- Approved applications only. Whoever you refer must apply for the card using your referral link and be approved.
- New cardholders only. Whoever you refer cannot be an existing cardholder or have held an Amex card within the last 18 months.
Limits
- Referral cap. You can refer up to 20 people per year.
- Points cap. You can earn up to 200,000 points per year.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Earn bonus points. The program allows you to earn bonus points for referring friends, which can add up quickly.
- It's free. The referral program is free to use.
Cons
- Some referral offers are time-limited. There is a chance you might not know someone interested enough to apply.
- Eligibility criteria apply. You won't earn any points if someone applies who already has an Amex card (or had one within the last 18 months).
FAQs
Can I refer people who already have an American Express card?
No. You will only earn the referral bonus if the people who you refer are not current American Express cardholders and have not been one in the last 18 months.
How do I know if someone I refer is approved for the card?
American Express will add the bonus points to your account 8-10 weeks after the application has been approved. They will not tell you the status of their application, i.e. whether it was approved or declined.
Is the Amex referral program worth it?
There isn't much to lose and thousands of points to gain by sharing Amex referral links with friends and family interested in getting an American Express card anyway.
Ultimately, the Amex referral program is a way to earn thousands of bonus points, but only if you have a network of people who you can share with.
