2014
31
March
Free roundtrip flight anywhere in North America | Amex Rewards card offer
31
March
It's not often that I plug a travel rewards card. In fact I don't think I ever have. When a travel blogger posts about such things, it's usually just a thinly disguised attempt to earn some referral income or benefit from the credit card companies. And I suppose this post is no different as you will soon find out.
But I can honestly say that this is one of the best travel rewards card offers I've ever seen, and one of the very few that's actually compelled me to sign up and share it with friends and family.
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IMPORTANT: As of September 1, 2014 the AMEX Aeroplan Plus Gold Card offer mentioned in this article has changed. You now get 26,000 Aeroplan miles instead of 30,000 - and the annual fee ($120) for this card is no longer waived for the first year. BUT, American Express is now waiving the annual fee for the first year on a *different* card, the Amex Gold Rewards Card (yes, it has a similar sounding name, but is a completely different card).. With the Amex Gold Rewards Card, you can get a bonus of 25,000 'Amex Membership Rewards Points' for signing up. And these points can be converted into Aeroplan Miles at a 1:1 ratio, at no cost. . So basically, since the Amex Gold Rewards Card annual fee is being waived, you are getting 25,000 Aeroplan miles for free (after you convert them). If you read through the rest of this article about the old offer, pretty much all of the same advice and terms will apply. Just remember to use the signup link that takes you to the correct card, the Amex Gold Rewards Card, which is:. https://www.americanexpress.com/canada/en/mgm/mgmeeApplynow.cgi?mgmerCard=goldCard&MGM_URN=AAAAEggRAxoTDw==&CPID=100074907 The rest of the links in the article below will take you to the Aeroplan Plus Gold Card, which as I mentioned, is no longer free.. |
The free flight offer
American Express is offering a staggering 30,000 Aeroplan bonus points to anyone who signs up for their AMEX Aeroplan Plus Gold Card.
As you can see from the Aeroplan rewards chart, this is enough for a free flight from Vancouver to anywhere in Canada or the Continental USA and still have 5,000 points left over.
In fact, if it's a short haul flight (anywhere between Vancouver and Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Oregon, or Washington) - it's actually enough for 2 free flights!
But another interesting thing about this offer is that after you've signed up, you will receive a referral link of your own, and for every person that signs up for the card through your link you receive another 10,000 Aeroplan points on top of the 30,000 !
So basically, for every 3 friends or family that signs up for the card through your link, you receive another free flight. There doesn't appear to be a limitation on how many people you can refer and how many points or free flights you can earn.
If you send it to 7 people, and they all sign up for the card, you'd earn an additional 70,000 Aeroplan points, which is enough for a free trip anywhere in the world! And really, it wouldn't be that difficult to convince 7 people to sign up, considering they're each guaranteed a free flight of their own when they do.
Ok, what's the catch? Is there an annual fee?
Amazingly, American Express is waiving the annual fee for the first year, so this is truly a free offer at no cost to you. Of course, they are hoping that you'll keep the card beyond the first year, at which point there is an annual fee for the card.
*But*, you can cancel the card at any time and keep the 30,000 points without ever having to pay a dime! Just be sure to set up a reminder in your calendar to cancel the card before the 1 year is up.
The only other condition to note is that you need to spend a minimum of $500 (total) with the card within the first 3 months, to receive the 30,000 Aeroplan point bonus.
How do I get the 30,000 free Aeroplan points?
1. Go to the following offer page at the American Express website:
The offer is the first one at the top, titled 'The American Express® AeroplanPlus®* Gold Card'
2. Put a checkmark beside 'I have read and accept the referral program terms'
3. Hit the Apply Now button
Fill out the application, and you're done!
*Note* You do need to use the offer link above to receive the bonus 30,000 Aeroplan points. If you search for the offer on the American Express website without going through the link above, it will only show a bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points.
Common questions...
Is it really a truly 'free flight' ?
Not entirely. Airlines can still charge the 'taxes & fees' when booking an Aeroplan flight, meaning the flight is not entirely free. Typically you end up paying around $100-$150 to redeem your 'free roundtrip flight' with Aeroplan points no matter how they were earned.
Certain airlines do not charge some of these extra fees when redeeming Aeroplan points, such as United, SWISS, and Air New Zealand. Air Canada definitely does though! I usually avoid redeeming with Air Canada, if possible, for this reason.
Here's a good article
I'm going to get my significant other to sign up for this as well so we can get 60,000 points between us. Is it possible to pool the points together into one Aeroplan account?
No, you will each need to sign up separately to each earn the 30,000 points. And each of those 30,000 bonus points will need to be linked to a separate Aeroplan account.
One thing you can do though, is have one person sign up (earning 30,000 points), and then send your referral link to your significant other to sign them up. Your significant other will receive 30,000 points of their own, and you'll receive 10,000 extra points for signing them up. Meaning you will receive 70,000 free points between the two of you. Not too shabby!
Where do I find my referral link after signing up?
Log into the American Express website and click on the 'Rewards' tab. Then click on 'refer a friend' to send them an e-mail with your referral link.
Beware that the referral e-mail may end up in the SPAM folder of the e-mail account of the people you're trying to refer. At least, it did for me, in my Gmail account.
To avoid this, you may want to try to find your actual referral link and send that link to your friend's and family in a more personal e-mail. For example, my referral link is:
Yours will be identical, except for the part in bold, which should be different.
How many points can I accumulate with this card using it normally?
In addition to the 30,000 point bonus for signing up, you will receive...
1 Aeroplan mile for every dollar spent, up to the first $10,000 annually
1.25 Aeroplan miles for every dollar spent over $10,000 annually
Seems crazy not to sign up. What's to stop people from cancelling the card as soon as they redeem their 30,000 bonus Aeroplan points for the free flight?
Nothing, people do it all the time. American Express is just hoping a certain percentage of people will keep the card beyond the first year. They know that the vast majority will cancel the card, and from what I've heard, it's very painless, with just one phone call, to an American Express agent that cancels hundreds of these cards a week and doesn't try to convince you to keep it.
Does it impact your credit score if you cancel the card before the first year is up?
Nope!
And you are receiving a 10,000 point referral bonus from American Express when I sign up?
Yes, to be very transparent about this, when American Express gives you your free 30,000 Aeroplan points, they also give me a 10,000 point bonus for referring you, assuming you signed up using one of the links on this page.
I already have enough Aeroplan points of my own for a few flights, but could always use the extra points to buy some gift cards through the Aeroplan store to help pay for server hosting & e-mail fees, and other costs associated with running the site.
Or if you would rather see those 10,000 points donated to a charity just pick one from the Aeroplan Donation Page and then give me a shout by e-mail or through the contact page after you have submitted your application to let me know which one to donate them to. I'll send you back a screenshot of the donation after it is made.
Okay, okay, I'm convinced. What's the signup link again?
This offer is open to residents of Canada only.
I still have a question!
Comment below and I'll try to answer it as best I can.
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135 Responses to "Free roundtrip flight anywhere in North America | Amex Rewards card offer"
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And for anyone who signs up after reading this recommendation. You earn 10,000 a piece. Very clever Mr. Myden.
You forgot to mention that one of the conditions of receiving the Aeroplan points is that you must make $500 of purchases on the card in the first 3 months to qualify, so your points won't be credited until after that has been accomplished.
Hi Dennis,
Yep, I don't think I could have been any more transparent about that fact :)
Paulette: It was actually mentioned in the paragraph under 'Ok, what's the catch? Is there an annual fee?'
"The only other condition to note is that you need to spend a minimum of $500 (total) with the card within the first 3 months, to receive the 30,000 Aeroplan point bonus."
Does the 30k points ever expire?
Hi Khoa,
A few years ago, Aeroplan changed their terms so that Aeroplan points never expire (they used to expire after 7 years).
HOWEVER, you need to make sure to have at least one transaction activity on your account once a year, to keep your Aeroplan account open. This can be as simple as using your Aeroplan card when you fill up with gas at Esso.
Thanks for this, Chris! I just signed up.
No problem, thanks Rachel!
Awesome work Chris! I appreciate your honesty and I hope you find a good use for my 10,000 referral points ;) Now to get my relatives on the phone.
Thanks Chad, much appreciated!
10,000 miles donated to the Meow Foundation on behalf of Karla...
screenshot:
http://s28.postimg.org/mu7lzpqil/Clipboard01.jpg
For referral do I have to wait until I get the card? It seems from what I am doing that I need to have a card number to refer...
Hi Stacy,
Yes, you do need your card number to generate your personal referral link from the American Express website. Hopefully you should get your card within a week of being approved. Once you do, activate the card as soon as possible, and then enter your number into the Amex site to generate the referral link.
Did you have to wait until you were approved prior to being able to create your log-in to the AMEX website (given that it asks for your card number) and access the reward tab?
whoops - page just loaded all the comments and saw mine is a duplicate..never mind!
Ok twist my arm lol! Thanks for the link, enjoy those points:)
Thanks Aleessa!
Just signed up. Enjoy the 10,000 pts, I figure you deserve them for all the awesome deals you share with the community.
Just signed up. I'm hoping you can donate the points to MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES. Thanks for all your good work.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing. This will help me visit family this summer!
I would greatly appreciate if you could donate the referral points to ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA, as I contribute to their local chapters myself.
Thanks again
Hi Chris, thank you for sharing and all the info! Please keep the 10,000 points for yourself and do something nice with it. You deserve all the points!n
Thanks Chris, Please donate referral points to Pearson College UWC (United World College) located in Metchosin BC near Victoria where pre university students from 80 countries live and study together to promote world peace.
Do you now if there's any date restrictions to redeem the points ? I'm a member of the British Airways Executive Club and, for example, it's nearly impossible to book long haul flights when you redeem their avios points. Basically do you know if it's gonna be challenging to fly to the Northwest Territories ? Could you try to simulate a reservation for a Thursday night to Sunday Night trip for instance ?
Thanks !
Hey there! On the AMEX website, it is saying upon signing up you will receive 20,000 opposed to 30,000. I'm just wondering where you are finding the 30,000? Thanks!
I wonder if you refer a person to sign up, does that person also have to spend $500 within 3 months for you to receive the 10,000 bonus points? I assume so?
If you're already an aeroplan member, does it affect how many points you get? Or should you just create a new account?
Thanks Chris, and super happy for you to get my referral points , I've been on some incredible adventures these last couple of years that would never have been possible without you ( including china in a couple weeks)! Thanks again and happy travels :)
Thanks Eric, Victor, Roein, Jessie, Doug, and Katy!
Victor: I'm having trouble finding MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES on the Aeroplan list of charities. I thought maybe the search engine was having trouble with some of the characters, but even when searching for 'sans' it comes up with three 'without borders' charities, but they are Hockey, Lawyers, and Academics. Also tried searching for 'doctors'. Let me know if you're able to find it, and how you found it, and I can try again, thanks.
Roein: Similar to Victor's request, I don't see Engineers Without Borders listed. The search engine for the charities can be found at
http://beyondmiles.aeroplan.com/eng/charities
Please let me know if I'm wrong about it not being listed. If they're not in there, just name another charity you'd like to see a donation made to.
Doug: Unfortunately I don't see Pearson College UWC listed as a donation partner either. The list of charities can be found at: http://beyondmiles.aeroplan.com/eng/charities
Just let me know if there's another one you'd like to see a donation made to.
Hi Arnaud,
I just took a look at Vancouver to Yellowknife, NWT through the Aeroplan search engine. Here's a screenshot of the calendar of available flights for April/May...
http://s28.postimg.org/gzrpcmlv1/Clipboard01.jpg
The ones in yellow are the available dates. Thursday to Sunday does seem possible. It looks like there is usually 1 stop each way, in Edmonton. The total taxes and fees are $124.16 for a roundtrip flight.
Hi Stephanie,
If you try to search for the offer manually through the Amex site, you are indeed only shown a bonus signup offer of 20,000 points.
To get 30,000 bonus points, you need to be sent to the same offer, but via somebody's referral link, such as when you click on any of the links in the blog post above.
"I wonder if you refer a person to sign up, does that person also have to spend $500 within 3 months for you to receive the 10,000 bonus points? I assume so?"
Hi Angela,
I would have thought so too, but I can tell you from personal experience that you will receive the 10,000 bonus points even before the person meets the $500 spend criteria.
The 10,000 points for each person you refer will show up on your next billing statement that is generated after that person is approved, and show up in your Aeroplan account within 2 days after that.
"If you're already an aeroplan member, does it affect how many points you get? Or should you just create a new account?"
Hi James,
Nope, it won't affect the number of bonus points you receive. I was already an Aeroplan member, and just entered my current Aeroplan account number on the application when I signed up. The 30,000 bonus points were deposited into this account.
Does signing up for this Amex card affect my other Amex card account?
Cool. Thanks! Enjoy the points! :)
Hi Chris,
do you know if there's an expiry date for this offer? Do we have to sign up for the card by a certain time to get the deal? Just wondering so I can pass that info onto my friends and family when I tell them to sign up.
10,000 miles have been donated to the Kidney Foundation on Amanda's behalf.
screenshot:
http://s12.postimg.org/g3gnzox19/Clipboard01.jpg
Victor: I found the Médecins Sans Frontières charity. Strange that it wasn't showing up on the search page. 10,000 miles have been donated on your behalf. Thanks!
screenshot:
http://s3.postimg.org/riq3zvhmb/Clipboard01.jpg
Roein: I also found the Engineers Without Borders donation page. 10,000 miles have been donated on your behalf, along with another 10,000 to the same charity from Melanie (e-mailed her request).
screenshot: http://s14.postimg.org/adl6d8tap/Clipboard01.jpg
What happens if I already have an aeroplan # ??Can I add this 30K points to my existing account??
"Does signing up for this Amex card affect my other Amex card account?"
Kim: As far as I know, as long as you don't have the same *type* of Amex card, it's fine and you should get the bonus points.
What happens if I already have an aeroplan # ??Can I add this 30K points to my existing account??
John: Yep, just be sure to provide your existing Aeroplan number when you apply, and the 30,000 bonus points will go into your existing Aeroplan account.
"Hi Chris,
do you know if there's an expiry date for this offer? Do we have to sign up for the card by a certain time to get the deal? Just wondering so I can pass that info onto my friends and family when I tell them to sign up."
Hi Anna,
As far as I know Amex has not yet announced an expiry date for this offer. They have the right to stop the promo at any time, but I would *think* they would give people at least a month's notice.
Wow, judging by all the comments... you are going to be earning a LOT of free trips! A fair reward for "Spreading the Word"!
Thanks!
what's is the annual fee after the 1st year.
"what's is the annual fee after the 1st year."
Hi Dave,
After the first year, the annual fee is $120.
Thanks Chris, I just signed up. Please use the bonus points to keep up your amazing service on YVR deals. I will be going to Japan and Bali in a few weeks thanks to you. Let us know how many points you end up with. I hope you get to a million points (only need 100 people).
So technically if you sign up 7 friends, for a total of 100,000 aeroplan miles, don't you also qualify for super elite status?
Just applied ~ thanks for the great tip! I feel like you deserve the points for the free help you are giving everyone. Enjoy!
Thanks Joe and Tanya!
Victor: I'm not 100 percent sure, but I don't think the referral points count towards 'status miles' ?
In regards to AEROPLAN points as current CIBC Aerogold holders, should I cancel this card and apply for TD's new card to take advantage of the sign up points and annual fee waived? At the same time apply for this AMEX as well? Invite your thoughts.
Hi Chris! Just applied. Please keep your points and enjoy! Thanks for sharing the great things you find with the community. I look forward to more of your great tips and deal find from you!
Thanks Yumiko!
Some more Aeroplan donations made today on behalf of the YVR Deals army...
Laura: 10,000 miles to Veterinarians Without Borders
http://s28.postimg.org/tl85z0gwt/Clipboard01.jpg
Evan: 10,000 miles to Engineers Without Borders
http://s21.postimg.org/8mcf0ghyv/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris,
Thanks again for the info. Just wondering, I just signed up and was wondering if I will have to wait till the card arrives before I can sign up for an account and get a referral link to give to friends and family? Cause it says I need a card number to sign up for an account.
thanks again!
Regarding the qualification of "You have a personal annual income of $20,000 or more":
How do they know if you make more than $20,000? Speaking as a student, I do not make that much.
"Just wondering, I just signed up and was wondering if I will have to wait till the card arrives before I can sign up for an account and get a referral link to give to friends and family? Cause it says I need a card number to sign up for an account."
Hi Ben,
Yes, you need the card number to generate your personal referral link on the American Express website . It shouldn't take too long to arrive, mine took about a week after approval. Once you get it, just go on the Amex site and look under Rewards -> Refer a friend. On this page, you need to enter your card number to generate your personal referral links.
"How do they know if you make more than $20,000? Speaking as a student, I do not make that much."
Hi Ron,
Good question, I guess the question is, how does any credit card company know what your income really is? They sometimes ask you to submit financial records, but I haven't heard of anyone having to do that for this card.
I think really, they just have your credit score to go by. They can see what others have given you and how you have managed your accounts.
5,000 miles donated to Empower Youth Canada on behalf of Vanessa, who requested that half of the 10,000 go to charity.
screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/gkrwu1xdd/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris,
We have to pay annual fee of the card with the first bill we received, which is $120 you mentioned.
Hi Aslam,
I wasn't sure if that was a question or a statement, but there is no annual fee for the first year. There is only an annual fee if you decide to keep the card beyond the first year.
Hey Chris, just noticed this in the referral section. This may be a new change, I hope you get all of your points:
To thank you for your recommendations, you could earn a referral bonus of up to 50,000 Aeroplan®* Miles when you refer up to five of your friends or family members – 10,000 miles for each approved referral.
Also I noticed this little caveat in the fineprint:
If our records indicate that any person you have referred has opted not to receive e-mails from us, your referral will not be sent and you will not receive the referral bonus offered as part of this program. This referral program ends on June 30, 2012 and cannot be combined with any other offer.
-I will make sure to not opt out of emails for you.
Hey Chris. Thanks for the find! Could you donate the 10,000 refer ally points to Engineers without Borders? Thanks
Done...Thanks Chris!
Just signed up and got you 10K points. Thanks for the info Chris
Thanks Joe! I think that may be outdated info, judging by the date (June 2012). I can tell you for certain that you can refer more than 5 people. From Googling around, it looks like there was another referral promo a few years ago that ended in June 2012.
Thanks Agnes, Jonny and Susie!
Susie: 10,000 miles have been donated to Engineers Without Borders on your behalf. screenshot: http://s14.postimg.org/cnfojbl1t/Clipboard01.jpg
oh and also - i was asked to submit financial records, weird, no? I don't mind, but I wonder why me and not (apparently) everyone else above.
also any idea how long this deal will last for?
Hi Kate,
What kind of financial records were you asked to submit? Or was it your bank information? I know a few people have had to submit some bank info (myself included). American Express used this to verify my identity ¬
"Any idea how long this deal will last for?"
As far as I know, American Express has not announced an expiry date for this offer.
10,000 miles have been donated to Médecins Sans Frontières on behalf of Jordan. screenshot: http://s10.postimg.org/591gz2qyh/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Free The Children on behalf of Stephanie. screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/cteznlh5t/Clipboard01.jpg
Thanks Chris!
you are the man! thanks for the info on deals over the years!
please use the 10,000 points for an amazing trip somewhere for you!
Thanks for the info! Could you donate half of the 10,000 points to Veterinarians Without Borders? Cheers.
Chris,
Do you know if the points can be used for someone else's ticket, i.e. if I could use the points yo buy a ticket for my son. Thanks.
I applied on April 2nd. Haven't heard anything since. Anyone know how long it takes to get a response from American Express?
Thanks Noah and Andrew!
Andrew: 5,000 miles have been donated to Veterinarians Without Borders on your behalf. screenshot: http://s21.postimg.org/4vjfloj2f/Clipboard01.jpg
Julia: Yes, you can use your own Aeroplan points to purchase airfares for anyone else.
10,000 miles have been donated to Engineers Without Borders on behalf of Alison. screenshot: http://s18.postimg.org/n6ps2tva1/Clipboard01.jpg
Thanks for sharing this deal, just signed up. If you could donate the 10000 ponts to Canadian Diabetes Association will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bharpur
Thanks Bharpur! Surprisingly, I don't see the Canadian Diabetes Association listed. Were you able to see it on the list of Aeroplan charities? If not, please let me know if there's another association you would like to donate the points to.
10,000 miles have been donated to the Build A School In Rwanda Project on behalf of Anna. screenshot: http://s11.postimg.org/51lovwfpv/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to MusiCounts on behalf of Holly.
screenshot: http://s29.postimg.org/ev53a4rqf/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Veterinarians Without Borders on behalf of Nikki. screenshot: http://s28.postimg.org/an2hq997h/Clipboard01.jpg
Signed up using your referral link.
Thanks for sharing this deal, and many thanks for your service over the years - all points you get from this referral program are very well deserved!
Keep up the great job! I've been recommending YVRDeals to all friends and relatives.
Thanks A_B! Definitely appreciated!
5,000 miles donated to Médecins Sans Frontières on behalf of Allie, who requested that half the miles go to charity. screenshot: http://s8.postimg.org/e5bnl9rhx/Clipboard01.jpg
You should have got a link from me... Please donate it to Chris Myden!
Thanks Rob! I'll see that he gets it.
10,000 thanks and miles to Chris! Thank you for sharing this! Curious how many referrals you have so far??
What would you recommend to generate the most referrals? I would like to pay this forward in a way that people won't find annoying.
Hey Chris, How did you generate your referral link?
I signed up through your link. Can you please donate the 10,000 miles to The Latitude Project? Thanks!
Hi Chris,
Could you donate 5,000 miles to the Arthritis Research Foundation?
And thanks for all of your help too, Chris! Half for you, half for charity. This makes everyone feel good! ;)
Enjoy the 10,000 points bud! Keep the deals coming! This is my way of saying thank you! I just signed up! :)
Are these points useable for flights to Europe (croatia specifically) during summer?
Thanks Chris! Enjoy another 10,000 coming your way :)
Thanks Andrea! Unfortunately the Amex site doesn't provide stats on your referrals, so you kind of have to go on blind faith on how many you've referred. From what I've heard though, there haven't been any issues with people getting referral points. I should be getting mine fairly soon with my next statement.
"What would you recommend to generate the most referrals? I would like to pay this forward in a way that people won't find annoying."
Hmmm, good question, I'd say probably just a personal e-mail containing your referral link sent to family and friends, with your honest thoughts on the offer. I think that should be a lot more effective than using the standard Amex referral form.
"Hey Chris, How did you generate your referral link?"
Hi Hong,
Hopefully you should get your card within a week of being approved. Once you do, activate the card as soon as possible, and then enter your number into the American Express website to generate the referral link.
On the American Express website, look under 'Rewards', and then 'Refer A Friend' to find the referral link generation form.
One thing you can do is use the form to send an e-mail to yourself, containing your referral link. Then you can copy and paste that link into a more personal e-mail for family and friends.
"Just applied... and I would like you to donate the 10k points to... Nah you keep the YOURSELF because you deserve them!"
Thanks Carl! Definitely appreciated!
Thanks Thomas! 10,000 miles have been donated to the Latitude Project on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s29.postimg.org/ahxettnnr/Clipboard01.jpg
"Could you donate 5,000 miles to the Arthritis Research Foundation?
And thanks for all of your help too, Chris! Half for you, half for charity. This makes everyone feel good! ;)"
Thanks AS! 5,000 miles have been donated to the Arthritis Research Foundation on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s21.postimg.org/lfx8p76pz/Clipboard01.jpg
"Enjoy the 10,000 points bud! Keep the deals coming! This is my way of saying thank you! I just signed up! :)"
Thanks Mark!
"Are these points useable for flights to Europe (croatia specifically) during summer?"
Hi Ivan,
The points can be used pretty much anywhere that the Star Alliance (Air Canada, United, etc) has flights to, which is pretty much everywhere.
The biggest limiting factor is not usually the destination, but whether Aeroplan actually has seats available on dates that work for you.
And if they do have availability, it usually becomes a question whether or not the flights are decent, or have ridiculous routing with multiple stopovers.
Taking a look at random dates in July from Vancouver to Zagreb, it looks like most flights have 18 hours of travel time each way, with 2 stops each way (one stop in London and one in Frankfurt seems to be common).
"Thanks Chris! Enjoy another 10,000 coming your way :)"
Thank you Kate!
Thanks Chris--so excited activated the card today. I just sent myself the email so I can send out a personalized message with my referral link . Thank you so much! Curious, what are your fave travel spots!
Glad to hear it Andrea! Anywhere in the world? Or just in North America? Within North America I'd probably rank my favorite major cities as being New York, San Francisco, and Chicago.
In terms of natural outdoor goodness (other than B.C.), I'd probably say the California coast, the Utah/Arizona area, and Wyoming.
Outside of North America, well, now that just gets a lot more difficult to narrow down :) But I often tell people that Argentina was one my favorite trips ever.
Thanks, Chris! Keep my miles for yourself as a thank you for the China post as well as this one.
Question - what is the lag time between referrals signing up and when you see the credit in your account? And how long before I see my own 30,000 miles show up?
Thanks RR! In my experience, the referral points show up on your next American Express billing statement (statements are generated once per month).
To me, it seems like as long as the person you referred was approved, you get the referral points on the next statement, before they even meet the $500 card spend condition.
In regards to your own 30,000 bonus points, they show up on the next statement right after you have met the $500 card spend condition.
I signed up using your link and received my card. Enjoy the points Chris!
Thanks Bonnie!
How do you find out your aeroplan number? Do they send you a card?
Hi Carolyn,
If American Express generated your Aeroplan number for you, it should show up on your monthly statement, near the bottom, if any Aeroplan points were sent to you.
You can also call or e-mail American Express to ask what your Aeroplan number is.
5,000 miles have been donated to Schools Without Borders behalf of Cathy.
screenshot: http://s13.postimg.org/65z175zsn/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Veterinarians Without Borders behalf of Paul. screenshot: http://s11.postimg.org/4ocuf9ixf/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi, just subscribed to you a few days ago, I am really excited to find some good flight deals. I want you to keep the points for yourself! And just another thing, when I clicked on the page to refer a friend, it says you can only refer 5 max to get the 10000 points?
Thanks Mary! The American Express website only lets you send out an e-mail to 5 at a time through their form. But if you send one to yourself, to figure out your actual referral link, you can send that link to people.
10,000 miles have been donated to Seeds Of Diversity Canada on behalf of Meagan. screenshot: http://s11.postimg.org/hc4okddqb/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to MusiCounts on behalf of Kirsten. screenshot: http://s29.postimg.org/cqnhhmz9j/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Youth In Motion on behalf of Mingye. screenshot: http://s22.postimg.org/nxbc8zapd/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris, I signed up and got my card! If you could, please donate 5000 points to vet without borders! I don't mind you keeping the other 5000 points, but if you feel like donating the whole 10,000, then please feel free to do so!
Also, I got my 30,000 points now. I looked at redeemin a flight from van-orlando and it says it's going to be 50,000 points! :(
Thanks Cecilian! 10,000 points have been donated to Veterinarians Without Borders on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/87czqmvwh/Clipboard01.jpg
All economy class flights within the United States should be 25,000 points. But if a flight doesn't have any reward availability in economy class, I think it usually shows you the business class options, which require more points.
Just to be sure, you weren't searching for 2 passengers? (Economy class comes up as 50,000 points when you search for 2 people).
I used your link to get a card. Referred my hubby, I came away with 40k on points, but he only got 25k! Anyone else with this experience?
Hmmm, that is strange Anonymous. Can you tell us about how you referred your hubby? I assume you went to the American Express website, clicked on Rewards, and then Refer A Friend. And then did you refer your hubby by e-mail? Or by Facebook?
I used your referral link so you would have received the 10,000. I also tweeted it and it got retweeted so hopefully you got more!
I just got my 30,000 points so thank you again!
I don't know if anybody mentioned it but I read that if you try to cancel your card, they will offer you 8000 to stay. If you still say no, they will offer 10,000, so it might be worth it just to get more!
Hi Chris,
I'm just wondering where it gives the July 14th deadline. I have referred a few friends who want to wait until they get their card so they can refer their spouse, but if it really is ending July 14th they shouldn't wait. I'd like to be able to show them the deadline though, so they know I'm not just trying to get more bonus points. Thanks!
"I don't know if anybody mentioned it but I read that if you try to cancel your card, they will offer you 8000 to stay. If you still say no, they will offer 10,000, so it might be worth it just to get more!"
Interesting, thanks Debra! I hadn't heard that!
Hi Tanya,
On the American Express website, the 'non-referred' Aeroplan Gold Offer now shows an expiry of July 14, 2014...
https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/content/aeroplan-gold-card/
...and while I don't think it's been officially posted the the 'referred' Aeroplan Gold Offer (with the extra points) expires on July 14, I think there's speculation that is when it will likely end. I have been trying to get the official word from someone at Amex.
I signed up! Please keep the 10,000 points for yourself! Keep up the great work!!
Thanks Liz! Much appreciated!
Hi, I just signed up for this and received my Amex card in the mail today. I didn't have an Aeroplan account before this. How do I know what my Aeroplan number is? Will they send it to me in the mail? Can I find it somewhere in Amex's online services? Can I sign up for Aeroplan in the meantime and link the cards later? I'm really confused - I want to use the card right away and get the miles, but I have no idea how purchases on the card translate to Aeroplan miles if I don't have an Aeroplan account. :/
Hi Kris,
If you didn't enter an Aeroplan number when you signed up, Amex will create an Aeroplan account for you.
The Aeroplan number may be listed on your Amex monthly statement, near the section where it mention your bonus points.
But you'll need the password for the Aeroplan account, so you might want to either call them and ask what your generated Aeroplan number and password are, or use the 'Email' function on the left hand side after logging into the American Express website.
'Allo and thanks for the referral. My card just arrived today and please use the bonuse 10K points any way you wish.
No problem, thanks Carla, much appreciated!
Just signed up! Enjoy the points Chris :)
Thanks Anna!
Hi Chris!
It looks to me like the offer has now gone down to 26K and that they no longer wave the first year fee ($120). Is that true or am I missing something?
Thanks! :-)
I am also wondering about the above comment. It says 26K points and 120 dollar fee now. Chris where are you??
Hi guys, just to note, this blog post has been updated with new info, since the previous offer is no longer available (as of September 2014).
Hey Chris,
I cancelled the Amex Aeroplan Plus Gold Card last week. Do you know if I can apply for the Amex Gold Rewards and get the points again ? The terms and conditions are unclear and the lady I had on the phone said she had no idea.
Thanks if you know the answer !