Full disclosure: If you sign up using the link provided, I will get a $150 referral bonus in points

Summary:

  1. Sign up for Amex Gold to get $250 to spend on travel (Spend $500 on it within 3 months)

  2. Refer yourself to Amex Platinum to get $600 in points + $100 referral to yourself (Spend $1000 in first 3 months + pay $699 yearly fee)

    • $699 yearly fee gets you:
      • Airport Lounge Access (Priority Pass Prestige) Worth $299
      • $200 Credit to spend on any travel
      • Pearson priority security check

  3. Then start referring your friends to Amex Gold via your Amex Platinum to get $150 for each referral
    You can even refer your wife/husband/significant other in the same home!

  4. The best thing about Amex Points is that they transfer 1 to 1 to Aeroplan OR if you redeem it against travel purchases, minimum amount is just $10 and you can just claim a portion. (e.g. If Trip was $500 and you only had $400 of points, you can just redeem $400!)

  5. All the points you earn as Gold and Platinum go into one pool

  6. Remember to cancel the cards after 1 year. If the fee shows up on your care, you can usually call in and still cancel.

  7. NOTE: If you don't pay your credit card in full each month, do not get this card. The annual interest rate is 30%

Details:

  1. Amex Gold

    • Amex is running an awesome promo for their American Express Gold Card. You get the following:
      • First year $99 fee waived
      • 25,000 points (worth at least $250) = 25,000 Aeroplan miles after you spend $500 on the card within the first 3 months
      • Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada.
      • Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.
      • Earn one point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
        Use my link please :) https://www.americanexpress.com/canada/en/mgm/mgmeeApplynow.cgi?mgmerCard=goldCard&CPID&MGM_URN=AAAAEgURAB8dAg%3D%3D

  2. Refer yourself to Platinum

    • After you get your gold card, you can refer yourself to the Platinum card which has the following perks:
    • You get $100 or 10,000 point referral to your Gold Card
      Instead of the regular $500/50,000 sign up bonus, you get 60,000 (After you spend $1000 in first 3 months)
    • Platinum members are automatically enrolled in the Membership Rewards First Tier and earn 1.25 points for every dollar in purchases charged to the Card.
    • Airport Lounge Access (Priority Pass Prestige)
    • Pearson priority security check
    • $200 Credit to spend on any travel each year
    • More info: http://www.canadiantravelhacking.com/10-reasons-to-get-the-canadian-american-express-platinum-card/
    • One thing is that there is a $699 Annual fee that does not count to wards the $1000 in first 3 months. However, the benefits above automatically pay for the card. Just remember to cancel at the end of the year.
    • Years are based on when you signed up, not the calendar year. But, the $200 travel credit is based on the calendar year.

  3. Refer other people using your Platinum Card (or Gold card if you don't want to get the Platinum)

    • How to refer using your Gold Card to Platinum (or if you just want to refer other people)

    • Referring using your Gold card gets you $100/10,000 referral bonus vs. Platinum of $150/15,000

      1. Log into American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/canada/
      2. Choose your Gold or Platinum card
      3. Click Refer A Friend
      4. Click your current card (if you have Platinum, click that, if you have Gold click that)
        1. If you have Platinum and want to refer someone to Gold, click on "Recommend a different Card?"
        2. Then choose Gold
      5. Click recommend
      6. Enter your First and Last Name, Card Number and email address
      7. You can use email or facebook.
      8. If you use the facebook one, you can click the "Share This" button and choose "Only Me" and that way you can get a universal link
        Done!