American Express offers by far the most generous signup bonuses here in Canada, as well as a lucrative refer-a-friend program. By maximizing both of these points-earning techniques, you can rack up a spectacular amount of points in a short time.
American Express Credit Card Families
The various Amex cards can be grouped into a few different “families”. The refer-a-friend program only allows you to refer from/to the specific cards within each family.
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The Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, Gold Rewards Card, Business Gold Card, Cobalt Card, and Business Edge Card can refer among each other.
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Exception: The Platinum Card can only refer to itself or to the Business Platinum.
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Exception: The Business Platinum can only refer to itself, the other business cards, or the Platinum Card.
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Exception: The Business Edge can only refer to the other business cards.
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The Aeroplan Reserve, Aeroplan Business Reserve, and Aeroplan Card can refer among each other.
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Exception: The premium Reserve cards cannot refer to the core Aeroplan Card.
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The Bonvoy Card and the Bonvoy Business Card can refer among each other.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive flowchart showing you the optimal strategy for applying for, and referring to, the various Amex cards, based on the specific welcome bonus and referral bonus offers on each card.