cartoon of a man holding a sign

THE END IS NEAR! (SPG and AMEX)

With the Marriott-SPG merger coming to a completion, American Express (Canada) will be ending their referral program on September 27, 2017. This is likely the first major phase for the discontinuation of SPG credit cards. Considering SPG points are arguably the most valuable as they convert into dozens of programs, this is very sad news.

cartoon of a man holding a sign
Copyright: Fox Broadcasting Company

You should get an AMEX SPG personal card now, and then refer yourself for the business card. AMEX is currently offering their best-ever sign-up bonus on both the personal and business cards, giving you 25,000 SPG points after spending $1,500 in three months.

a credit card with a red background
Source and Copyright: American Express Canada (retrieved 2017-07-08)

Once you receive the personal card in the mail, you can refer yourself to the business card for an additional 10,000 point bonus:

a close up of a credit card

If you follow this order, you’ll have 63,000 SPG points (25K from personal + 10K referral + 25K from business + 3K from minimum spend). This converts into 78,000 Alaska points, which is enough for Cathay Pacific or JAL First Class, or you can wait until an Aeroplan transfer bonus and get even more miles. SPG points are phenomenal, and if you have any interest in getting them, now is the time to apply before AMEX discontinues the card and the referral program.

This post contains affiliate links. Your support keeps this blog running and is incredibly appreciated.

H/T: Milesopedia

11 Comments

  1. I received yesterday this email from AMEX, it does not seem to be finishing.

    FOR A LIMITED TIME, YOUR FRIEND CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HIGHEST STARPOINTS BONUS.

    As a Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express Cardmember, you know the value of your Starpoints® and the rich rewards you can get from the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Refer a friend, and you can earn 10,000 bonus Starpoints for each approved referral. The more friends you refer, the more Starpoints you can earn — up to a maximum referral bonus of 150,000 Starpoints.

    For a limited time, if your friends apply by October 18, 2017, they could earn the highest Starpoints offer. New Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express Cardmembers earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Starpoints after they charge $1,500 in purchases to their Card in their first three months of Cardmembership.3 Offer subject to change at any time.

    This offer is available for at least 30 days after receiving this e-mail.

  2. but I have already had the personal – it says I can’t get the bonus again – any thoughts

    I know with the business it is possible

    1. Login to your Amex account and click refer a friend. It will generate a link. Click that link. Change it to the card you want to apply for.

      1. Hi,
        I have the personal, but i tried various places on the website and I can’t find the link to refer to a Business card, only personal.

        Thoughts?

        1. You have to actually click on the referral link first, then there’s an option to click on the business card and apply for that instead

  3. I’m just a holder of a pre-pay load card. My credit isn’t all that great for a cridet card , but want to get one for this opportunity. What, when, how, n who can inform me on this matter?
    Does the card have such opportunities?

  4. I have spa personal card. Loged in and clicked refer a friend, no business card came up only personal cards. Called American Express and they told me I could only refer someone to a personal card.also when I try to sign up for business card without referral I can only find
    5,000 spend amounts. That’s a lot of spend for the card.

  5. If I’m unable to meet the $1500 min spend, can I buy more time this way?
    1. Purchase something at a store that is returnable within 90 days.
    2. Return product after 60 days.

    What will happen? I receive 25k bonus, then it gets reversted on the 2nd statement?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *