2014
3
April
Free roundtrip flight anywhere in North America | Amex Rewards card offer
3
April
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 Edmonton 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 Edmonton 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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58 Responses to "Free roundtrip flight anywhere in North America | Amex Rewards card offer"
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I'm less familiar with Aeroplan points in general. Do they expire?
If I have this clear, I can sign up, get the points, cancel my card before a year is up and then keep the 30,000 points indefinitely?
Are aeroplan points different from air miles?
Hi Veronica,
Unused Aeroplan points used to expire after 7 years, but Aeroplan changed their terms a few years ago, so that points never expire. HOWEVER, you need to have at least one Aeroplan transaction per year to keep the account active. This can be as simple as using your Aeroplan card at Esso when you fill up with gas.
Yes, if you sign up, get the Aeroplan points, and then cancel your card before the year is up, you can still keep the points indefinitely. Once they're in your Aeroplan account, they are yours to keep, no matter what you decide to do with the card.
Yes, Aeroplan points are different from air miles, they are separate rewards programs.
Hi Chris,
Just signed up, message said I'll be receiving my package by mail. Will I obtain a confirmation by AMEX by email? How do I obtain my own link to get my friends on board? Can you please donate the referral miles to Schools without Borders. Thanks!
Hi Joanne,
I received a confirmation e-mail from Amex when my application was approved, saying that I should receive my card in a week or so.
When your card arrives, activate it, and then go to the American Express website and click on Rewards -> Refer A Friend. On this page, you need to enter your card number and it will generate your personal referral e-mails. You may want to use this page to send an e-mail to yourself, to get the actual referral link.
10,000 miles have been donated to Schools Without Borders on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s10.postimg.org/jgk9ljh4p/Clipboard01.jpg
How long is this referral deal on for?
Hi Greg, as far as I know Amex has not announced an expiry date for the referral deal.
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, 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
10,000 miles have been donated on behalf of Roein along with another 10,000 to the same charity from Melanie (e-mailed her request).
screenshot: http://s14.postimg.org/adl6d8tap/Clipboard01.jpg
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!
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
It does take a while for the 30,000 miles to show up in your Aeroplan account, so I wouldn't count on using them to book any flights in the Spring/Summer, as most decent aeroplan flight rewards disappear quickly.
I did read somewhere that 20K of the miles are eligible for elite and distinction mileage.
Hi Chris
My husband and I currently have an AMEX card, but it is not this one. Can this offer be extended if we switch our current card to the aeroplan one? if so, how do we go about that?
Hi Chris
Do I have to wait to be accepted for the credit card before I can sign my husband up for a card and get the 30000 points and another 10000 referral points?
Hi Cecilia,
Is your current card a similar Amex card? If it's a different type of Amex card, you should just be able to apply for this one, and still be eligible for the bonus.
I'm not quite sure how different it needs to be, but I've read that if it's different enough (ie not in the same family of Amex cards) then you can still apply and qualify for the bonus points.
Keep you points Chris, thanks for the heads up.
"Do I have to wait to be accepted for the credit card before I can sign my husband up for a card and get the 30000 points and another 10000 referral points?"
Hi Dee-Ann,
Yes, once you receive your card, activate it and go to the American Express website. Look under Rewards -> Refer A Friend. On this page, you can generate the referral e-mails to send to people, including your husband.
Once he's approved, you will receive 10,000 points for referring him.
Thanks Elaine!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the heads up! I've applied and would like half of the 10,000 bonus points to go to the David Foster Foundation please and of course I appreciate that you have shared the deal with all of us so please keep the other 5,000 for yourself.
Thanks again!
Once I transfer the points to aeroplane points, can I transfer these points to another aeroplane cardholder? (Ie: to book two flights for two people in one transaction?) thanks! :)
Thanks Robert! 5,000 miles have been donated to the David Foster Foundation on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s16.postimg.org/wlimw72kl/Clipboard01.jpg
"Once I transfer the points to aeroplane points, can I transfer these points to another aeroplane cardholder? (Ie: to book two flights for two people in one transaction?) thanks! :)"
Hi Keren,
Transferring Aeroplan points to another account is possible, but I would not recommend it, because it costs 2 cents per point to transfer them, which is a rip off.
Just to note, you can use your own Aeroplan points to book flights for other people, without transferring them.
Hi Chris!
I signed up last night - I did not recieve a confirmation email though?
As posted above I was wondering about the points too and how go refer. It said I need to log in, which without a card I don't think I can do at this time?
I assume I will just get a card in the mail, create a log In account, send some referrals and than I will get the 30000 once I spend $500 and the extra 10000 for every person who signs up?
Hi Maddy,
You probably won't receive a confirmation e-mail for a few days. I only received an e-mail once the application was approved (after a few days) and not immediately after submitting the application.
Regarding referrals, yes, you have it exactly right. Once you have your card, you can go on to the American Express website and click on Rewards -> Refer A Friend. On this page, you need your card number to generate your referral e-mails.
For your own 30000 bonus points, after you've spent $500, the points will be applied on your next Amex statement (generated once per month). The Aeroplan points show up in your account a few days after they appear on your Amex statement.
Hi Chris:
I applied yesterday, please keep half the points for yourself and donate half to a charity of your choice. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lisa! 5,000 miles have been donated to the MEOW Foundation on your behalf. screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/y1yqfp9b5/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris,
Read all the comments, am I the only one that needs further identification verification? I had to download a form and fax it back giving Amex authorization to speak to my bank to confirm "stuff"
Hi Al,
I had to do this is as well. (I submitted the form via the online method). It seems only certain people have to, I'm not sure exactly why.
Hey Chris
I seem to have to wait for the actual card before signing up in order to refer a friend, is that correct? Because after I log in, it prompts for the card #
Hi Ajay,
Yes, you do need your actual card # before you can generate your personal referral e-mails and links through the American Express website. It shouldn't take too long to arrive after being approved, mine took about a week.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for sharing this information! I just signed up for the card today. I would love if you could donate half the points to Doctors without borders and the other half for yourself.
Thanks Vicki! 5,000 miles have been donated to Doctors Without Borders on your behalf. screenshot: http://s9.postimg.org/dv3q67y73/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to the Kidney Foundation Of Canada on behalf of Wendy screenshot: http://s13.postimg.org/ardqh30gn/Clipboard01.jpg
8,000 miles have been donated to the Childrens Wish Foundation on behalf of Trent, who requested that 80 percent go to charity.
screenshot: http://s8.postimg.org/nd4moahl1/Clipboard01.jpg
signed up!
Please put your bonus points to the Meow foundation!
Thanks!
Thanks Tess! 10,000 miles have been donated to the Meow Foundation on your behalf. screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/4svd4w8z5/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi,
just wondering in regard to the short haul flight, can you use the points for a second flight in another persons name for the same trip?
thanks
Also, sorry one last thing. I received a call from AMEX today after applying requesting I complete a form "New Accounts Department Customer Consent Form", with my signature and banking information. I have never had to do this before, is this normal?
Hi Kelsey,
Yep, with Aeroplan you can buy flights for anyone else that you would like, whether they're on the same trip as you or not.
Regarding the call from AMEX, I had that as well. It seems like a certain percentage of people are asked to submit a bank consent form, which just authorizes AMEX to contact your bank and verify that you hold an account with them. I submitted my bank consent form through AMEX's online form.
Just applied... and I would like you to donate the 10k points to... Nah you keep the YOURSELF because you deserve them!
People should be thankful that you are 100% dedicated to this site And perhaps THEY should donate some of THEIR 30k points on your behalf!
All the best,
Carl
Just wanted to let you and anyone else reading know. I signed up, got my card, spent the $500 ($786 acutally), referred my wife and I was just credited with 40,786 points to my account as per my statement that just came out. It took less then a month all said and done, but like Chris says would depend on your statement date and when you spend you money. I also started checking on flights strictly through the aeroplan site. YEG to Vegas (25k points) in July $192 in taxes and fees. YEG to Orlando (25k points) in July $203 taxes and fees. YEG to Honolulu (45k points) in October $162 taxes and fees.
Thanks again Chris, now to find some more referrals.
As an update, yes the full 30K points are eligible towards Distinction status with aeroplan. It only takes 25K to make it to distinction silver, which has some nice free bonuses, like lounge passes and class upgrades.
Hi Chris.
Applied on Apr 3rd, cards came on the 22nd.
Time to start my own pyramid.
Thanks for all your hard work and enjoy your points. :)
Excellent, thanks for the updates James, Evan and Craig!
Hi Chris,
I have just received my card but have yet to spend the $500.
I have never had and Aeroplan account so does AmEx automatically create one for me or do I need to create one on my own and link it to my card?
Also, when a friend signs up using my link, is there any sort of confirmation or will I just be able to tell because I'll have an extra 10, 000 points in my account?
Thanks so much for all the info you share with us! You've definitely earned your extra points!!
Thanks Heather! Yes, if you do not enter an Aeroplan account number when you submit the application, American Express will generate an Aeroplan account for you. You might need to call them to get the account number. It might not be generated until the bonus points are ready to be transferred into it? Not exactly sure about that.
Unfortunately American Express doesn't have a way for you to tell if the person you've referred has been approved or not. They claim it's for privacy reasons. So you kind of have to go on blind faith. From what I've seen, their tracking system does track all referrals properly however. On your billing statements, it will show you how many bonus referral points you've earned.
Hi Chris..Thanks for all your work with the site. Amazing job! I just signed up with the offer above. Please donate 5000 points to CNIB. and keep the rest for yourself. Thanks!
Thanks Eric! I searched for CNIB and Canadian National Institute for the Blind on the Aeroplan list of charities, but don't see it listed...
http://beyondmiles.aeroplan.com
^^^ Aeroplan charity search
I do see the Canadian Federation Of The Blind (CFB) but I believe that's a different organization.
Hi Chris , I just assumed CNIB would be listed. Instead, could you please donate the 5000 points to the Rainbow Society of Alberta. Thanks.!
Thanks Eric! The Beyond Miles program seems to be having issues with processing Aeroplan donations today. I've tried 3 times.
screenshot: http://s9.postimg.org/54xykqq7z/Clipboard01.jpg
As soon as they get this fixed I will donate 5,000 miles to the Rainbow Society of Alberta and follow up with a confirmation on here.
Hi Eric, just wanted to let you know that the 5,000 miles have been donated to the Rainbow Society of Alberta on your behalf.
screenshot: http://s23.postimg.org/4l040pa97/Clipboard01.jpg
You SIr are a gentleman and a scholar!
Hi Chris,
I signed up a few weeks ago. If you could please donate 10, 000 points to War Child Canada that would be great! Thanks.
Is the rewards points changed from 30,000 to 26,000? That's what's showing when I go to site.
Hi Chris,
Looks like the offer is still valid, however the points is now 26,000 and if you read the fine print looks like they charge you the 120.00 annual fee at the beginning of your receiving the card. Is this still a good deal?
10,000 miles have been donated to War Child Canada on behalf of Janet. Thanks! screenshot: http://s23.postimg.org/fciw2unnf/Clipboard01.jpg
(and sorry for the delay, there were some issues with the Aeroplan site)