The American Express® Refer a Friend Program is one of the easiest ways to earn extra points in Canada without extra spending.
You’ll earn bonus points every time someone you refer is approved for a card. You can earn between 5,000 and 35,000 points per referal, depending on the card and offer.
It’s a win-win. You’ll earn plenty of points to save money on travel and your friend gets a welcome offer that’s often better than what’s publicly available.
Here’s how to take advantage of the American Express® Refer a Friend Program.
What is the Amex® Refer a Friend Program
The American Express® Refer a Friend Program lets you share a personal referral link with friends and family. You’ll earn bonus points when they get approved for an eligible American Express® card through your link and .
These offers can be targeted, so your referral bonus might differ depending on the card you hold. You’ll often find that your friend also receives an elevated welcome bonus compared to applying directly.
During special promotions, both you and your referral can receive higher-than-usual bonuses. That’s why it’s worth checking your account regularly for updates.
AWP TIP
Referral points usually post as soon as your friend is approved, so you can start planning your next trip without waiting.
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Who Can You Refer?
You should only share your referral links with people you personally know, like friends, family, or acquaintances.
The program is designed for personal use, not for mass promotion.
Top American Express® Cards
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Welcome Points: 90,000
Welcome Value: $3,380
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,280
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
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Welcome Points: 50,000
Welcome Value: $1,919
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 120,000
Welcome Value: $5,100
Annual Fee: $799
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Welcome Points: 45,000
Welcome Value: $1,819
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
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Welcome Points: 15,000
Welcome Value: $590
Annually Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
AWP TIP
Referring family can be especially valuable.
For example, if you refer your spouse to the American Express Aeroplan® Reserve, you’ll earn the referral bonus, and they’ll earn the welcome bonus.
Plus, you can pool points together with programs like the Aeroplan® family sharing.
Which Amex® Cards Can You Refer?
American Express® has several card families in Canada. You can refer someone to another card in the same card family, even if it isn’t the exact card you have. You can’t refer across families. The main card families are:
For example, if you have the American Express® Cobalt, you can refer to most other Membership Rewards® cards, including the American Express® Platinum. But you can’t refer them to an Aeroplan® card.
The referral bonus you earn depends on the card you hold, not the card they apply for.
Cards with higher annual fees, like the American Express® Platinum, Aeroplan® Reserve, and business cards like the Business Gold, Business Platinum and Aeroplan® Business Reserve often have higher referral bonuses.
You should always check to see which card in your portfolio has the highest referal offer before sending one out.
I referred a friend from my American Express® Business Platinum, and they applied for the American Express Cobalt.
I earned 30,000 referral points from the Business Platinum® instead of the standard 5,000 from the Cobalt®.
This is a great example of how holding a premium business card earns significantly more points.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for November 2025.
Top Offers
Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for November 2025.
How to Refer for an American Express® Card
Referring a friend to an American Express® card is easy.
Applying for Cards in the Same Family
One great feature of the American Express® Refer a Friend program is that you can still earn the referral bonus if your friend applies for another card in the same family, even if it’s not the one you have.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it’s for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it’s for Canadians to earn and redeem points with the best reward credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel in no time.
Bottom Line
The American Express® Refer a Friend Program is one of the best ways to earn extra points in Canada without extra spending.
You’ll earn a referral bonus when people you know are approved through your link, and they’ll often enjoy a better welcome bonus than if they applied directly.
Plus, American Express® lets you refer across all cards in the same family, even if it’s not the exact card you have. This flexibility gives you more chances to earn points and save money on travel.
If you don’t have a referral link for a card, be sure to use our AWP links for our favorite American Express® credit cards. We always appreciate your support.
