2014
2
April
Free roundtrip flight anywhere in North America | Amex Rewards card offer
2
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 Montreal 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 Montreal and New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Quebec, Nunavut or virtually anywhere in the NE region of the United States) - 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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43 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.
Thanks a lot for this deal!!!
And: very wise of you to beneficiate from all these referals :) lucky guy
Hi Chris,
are there black out dates associated with the card, like the first week of march?
Can I still apply and get the bonus points even if I already have an AMEX Blue Sky travel card?
10,000 miles have been donated to the Montreal Children's Hospital on behalf of Beverly. screenshot: http://s29.postimg.org/q5jefndpz/Clipboard01.jpg
Thanks Melyssa!
"Hi Chris, are there black out dates associated with the card, like the first week of march?"
Hi Paul,
I don't think Aeroplan has any defined blackout dates, but it can definitely be tougher to find reward seats around high demand dates. What they do is assign a certain number of seats to each flight.
So around higher demand dates and destinations, it can definitely be tougher to find availability. A lot of people usually recommend looking as far ahead as possible for high demand dates and destinations, even right up to the maximum of 364 days in advance. (Not always easy to plan a trip a year in advance, I know)
"Can I still apply and get the bonus points even if I already have an AMEX Blue Sky travel card?"
Hi Nicholas,
As far as I know, as long as it isn't in the same group of AMEX cards, you should be eligible for the bonus points. Taking a quick look, the Amex Blue Sky card seems different enough to me that it wouldn't be considered the same group.
Off-topic: This is how affiliate marketing should be done. You were thorough, transparent and thoughtful.
Thanks for keeping track of travel-related stuff for us, Chris. I've been following the site for over a year now.
Thanks Natasha! Definitely appreciated!
5,000 miles donated to Earth Day Canada on behalf of Catherine, who requested that the 10,000 miles be split 50/50 with YVR Deals.
screenshot: http://s2.postimg.org/5wydip1wp/Clipboard01.jpg
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
Chris, I used your link and please enjoy the points for all the good work/tips you provide us. Question: do you only get the link once you have activated the card (i.e. after you got it in the mail) or are you suppose to get the link immediately after signing up on line? Maybe an additional tip: when people choose to fill out the electronic form, it requires the 'reference #'. I did not keep it as I thought I was going to get it by email, but I haven't so people should write it down!! Thanks,
OK, I saw your answer to Joanne but I still haven't received the email - maybe there is a delay. I will wait for the card through the mail, merci!
No prob! I should probably clarify that I didn't receive the confirmation e-mail immediately after submitting my application. It came a day or so later, after my application was officially approved. The e-mail just mentioned that I should expect to see my card in the mail in a week or so, which I did.
How long is this referral deal on for?
+1 and thanks for being transparent. I decided not to follow through due to the high interest rate of 30% :/
"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.
"+1 and thanks for being transparent. I decided not to follow through due to the high interest rate of 30% :/"
Thanks Michael! Yes, like any credit card rewards offer I would not recommend someone do this unless they are able to pay off the bill each month. There is a reason the credit card companies offer these deals!
5,000 miles have been donated to the Montreal Children's Hospital on behalf of Michael, who requested the half of the 10,000 go to charity.
screenshot: http://s28.postimg.org/r6sa20dvx/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris!
I have signed up for the offer and am trying to refer a friend, cut it is asking for the American Express card number and I don't have that yet.
What do I do?
Thanks
Grace
Hi Grace,
You do need a card number to generate your personal referral links. It shouldn't take too long, mine arrived in about a week after being approved.
Hi Chris,
Just signed up ! Thank you
Thanks Benoit!
5,000 miles have been donated to the Montreal Children's Hospital on behalf of Greg. screenshot: http://s29.postimg.org/p9o40d7if/Clipboard01.jpg
I used the link yesterday and got the confirmation today, can you give half of the reward to Montreal Children's Hospital please ? Thank you
Hey Chris, thanks for sharing this great deal. Was wondering if you know how the points are applied if you already have an aeroplan account? Is a second one opened on your behalf and sent along with the credit card? I'd prefer the 30K be added to my existing account. ThxKat
Never mind, you are asked if you are an existing aeroplan member and there is a field to enter your number. Please donate 5k to the Montreal Children's hospital and use 5k for YUL deals :)
Thanks Jeremy & Katrina! 10,000 miles have been donated to the Montreal Children's Hospital on your behalf. screenshot: http://s16.postimg.org/ox188sg7p/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Amnistie internationale - Québec on behalf of Kim. screenshot: http://s30.postimg.org/ustjo9cgx/Clipboard01.jpg
Thanks Chris, great deal.
Hello Chris, I would like to travel to Paris in may. If I ask for this card do you know if I could put those 30 000 points to flight to Europe and pay the difference ... Thank you !
and if it's working for Air transat also ... Merci : )
Hi Karine,
I believe Aeroplan does let you 'buy' the extra points you might need, but I think in general it's usually a bad deal, to the point where you're probably better off keeping the points for a future flight, and just purchasing a flight outside of Aeroplan.
Regarding Air Transat, unfortunately not. They are not one of the Star Alliance partners (Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, etc) so they are not associated with Aeroplan.
10,000 miles have been donated to Oceans Initiative on behalf of Catherine. screenshot: http://s27.postimg.org/x3gbacvbn/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund on behalf of Denisa.
screenshot: http://s15.postimg.org/63rllfm23/Clipboard01.jpg
10,000 miles have been donated to Amnistie Internationale on behalf of Michael
screenshot: http://s8.postimg.org/vo2al0h6t/Clipboard01.jpg
Hi Chris, is there an expiration date to the deal? And, when will I have my 30 000 points after signing up for a card?
Thanks, Stéphanie
Hi Stéphanie,
As far as I know, American Express has not announced an expiration date yet.
For the 30,000 points, you will receive them on your next billing statement after you have met the $500 spend condition. The billing statements are generated once a month. So it depends on your timing of putting $500 on the card, and the day of the month your billing statement is generated.
Hey Chris,
I've refered people do you know how long it takes to get the referral points applied to your aeroplan ?
Hi Greg,
The referral bonus points should show up on your next American Express billing statement (statements are generated once per month, assuming you have at least $1 worth of activity).
And I find that the Aeroplan points show up in the Aeroplan account about 2 days after the billing statement is generated.
Hi
Thanks for the tips.
I have two questions:
1-30 000 miles is enough for a round trip montreal vancouver?
2-Can we use the miles when the 500$ is spend or we have to wait 3 month?
Thank you
Hi Bas, no problem.
Yes, it takes 25000 miles for a roundtrip between Montreal and Vancouver.
You can spend the miles any time after you receive them. You receive them on the next billing statement after you have spent $500 with the card. The billing statements are generated once per month.