Best Sign-Up Bonuses in Canada

American Express consistently issues some of the highest sign-up bonuses in Canada. For the past couple months, they’ve increased the sign-up bonus on a number of cards to 75,000 Membership Rewards points, which is an incredible value. This will show you each worthwhile American Express credit card, and how to maximize the value from each.

As a reminder, one Membership Rewards point converts into one Aeroplan or British Airways Avios. The three cards I’d personally focus on here is the personal Gold, and the business Platinum and Gold. If you got all three cards (very easy to do), you’ll get 140,000 points for $399 in fees, which is enough to go almost anywhere in the world in Business, or enough for two round-trips to Europe in Economy (with points remaining).

Platinum

This card gives you 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card membership. You get access to a number of lounges, which includes the Centurion Lounges in the US, and a Priority Pass + 1 guest. The annual fee is $699. However, in your first year, you get two $200 travel credits (which can be converted into cash), which makes your fee more like $299 – a fantastic deal for the 60,000 points and all the associated benefits.

Platinum (Business)

This card gives you 75,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. You get access to a number of lounges, which includes the Centurion Lounges in the US, and a Priority Pass + 1 guest. The annual fee is $399. There are no credits like the Platinum personal card.

Although this is a Business card, in reality, anybody can get it. I’ve found that if you register as a sole proprietor (using your full name), AMEX is happy. If you get both this and the personal Platinum, you’ll have earned 135,000 Membership Rewards points, which is enough to go almost anywhere in the world in Business Class!

Gold

This card should be a “first” for any Canadian churner. You get 25,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,500 in the first three months of card membership. This card is extremely easy to qualify for (even for a student), and there is no annual fee for the first year.

Gold (Business)

Like the Platinum Business card, you can get this card by applying as a sole proprietor and using your own name. It gives you 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. The annual fee is waived for the first year.

7 Comments

  1. I had both Amex Gold and Platinum cards before, and the terms say I will not get the sign up bonus points again. How does it work in practice? Are people getting bonus points despite previously having the cards, or is it now enforced?

    Also, you only talk about Amex card bonuses. Are there any others in Canada worth mentioning?

    1. I’m a university student and I have gone through almost all of the Amex’s cards – with the exception of the Reserved Amex & Platinum Aeroplan.

      I’ve been approved for both the Business Platinum and Regular Platinum, same as with the Gold cards & SPG.

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