Clarifying the position with Amex Platinum and Amex Gold referral bonuses

UPDATE – APRIL 2025:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.  We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above.  Thank you.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.

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.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 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 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:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

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:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review