American Express Referral
Here’s how to take advantage of the American Express referral offer and score up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points in just a few easy steps: (Remember you can order ANY card. The link will take you to the Platinum card but click all cards top left to browse other cards)
Click this exclusive referral link: HERE. The link directs you to the Amex Platinum Credit Card application page (but you can click the arrow button to choose a different card) and the referral is automatically applied. Complete the application, and once approved and eligible spending requirements are met, the bonus points—often credited within a few weeks—will appear in your account. That’s all you need to do to unlock a significant rewards boost right from the start.
American Express (UK) — The Complete Guide, Plus How to Maximise an Amex Referral
Looking at getting an American Express card in the UK? This longform guide pulls everything together in one place: what Amex does well, the key perks and trade-offs, the main UK cards and who they’re best for, and exactly how to use an amex referral / american express referral to unlock enhanced welcome bonuses from day one.
Why Choose American Express in the UK?
American Express (Amex) is both a card issuer and a payments network. In the UK, it’s known for premium service, strong rewards, and excellent protections. Before you pick a card, it’s worth understanding what Amex does differently.
Core Benefits & Features
- Rich rewards ecosystem
Earn either Membership Rewards® points, Avios, or cashback—depending on the card. MR points are flexible: redeem for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transfer to airline/hotel partners. - Powerful protections
Purchase protection, refund/return protection, extended warranty, and industry-leading fraud support add peace of mind on big purchases. - Travel & lifestyle value
Depending on the card: airport lounge access, generous travel insurance, hotel status/benefits, car hire perks, concierge, curated dining/retail offers. - Welcome bonuses
New joiners can earn large welcome bonuses—often higher when you apply via an amex referral (see the American Express referral section below). - Service & app experience
Amex has a reputation for fast, effective customer support and a polished app for spend tracking, offers, and redemptions.
Trade-offs to Consider
- Merchant acceptance
While widely accepted, some smaller merchants still don’t take Amex. Always keep a backup payment option. - Annual fees
Premium perks come with premium price tags. Get a card that fits your usage so the value outweighs the fee. - APR & interest
If you revolve a balance, interest can outweigh rewards. Amex works best if you pay in full each month. - Eligibility & bonus rules
Welcome bonus eligibility can depend on which Amex cards you’ve held before. Always check the current terms on the application page.
American Express UK Cards — Deep Dive & Comparison
How to choose (quick heuristic)
- I want £0 annual fee and simple rewards: Platinum Cashback Everyday or Amex Rewards (points).
- I’ll pay a moderate fee for better earn + light travel perks: Preferred Rewards Gold.
- I’m loyal to BA/Avios and want a Companion Voucher: BA Premium Plus (or BA Amex if you want no fee).
- I travel frequently and will use lounges, insurance, hotel status & credits: The Platinum Card.
- My weekly shop is in the Nectar universe (Sainsbury’s/Argos/eBay): Nectar Amex.
- I spend heavily and want the most exclusive, concierge-led experience: Centurion (invite-only).
Side-by-side comparison (at a glance)
Notes: “Welcome Bonus” and “Representative APR” vary over time and by applicant — always check the application page. “Perks snapshot” lists typical benefits (subject to change).
| Card (UK) | Annual Fee | Rewards Type | Welcome Bonus | Perks Snapshot | Travel Benefits | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum Cashback Everyday | £0 | Cashback | Varies (check live offer) | Simple, tiered cashback on everyday spend; Amex Offers; supplementary cards; app & wallet support | Limited (no lounge) | Fee-free, fuss-free cashback seekers who pay in full each month |
| Platinum Cashback | Fee applies | Cashback (higher than Everyday) | Varies | Higher ongoing cashback potential; Amex Offers; supplementary cards | Limited (no lounge) | Households who spend enough yearly for cashback to outweigh the fee |
| American Express Rewards(no fee) | £0 | Membership Rewards® points | Varies | Earn flexible MR points on most spend; wide redemption options (travel, gift cards, statement credit, partner transfers); Amex Offers | Limited (no lounge) | Beginners who want flexible points without an annual fee |
| Preferred Rewards Gold | Moderate fee (often first year £0) | Membership Rewards® points | Varies | Elevated earn on travel categories; statement credits/promos; access to special Amex Offers | Light: typically lounge passes included; travel insurances on trips (see policy); hotel/car-hire benefits on promos | Travellers who want points + a taste of premium perks without a Platinum fee |
| The Platinum Card | High fee | Membership Rewards® points | Varies | Premium insurances; concierge; dining/travel credits (enrolment required); elite hotel & car-hire status; Fine Hotels & Resorts perks; curated experiences | Strong: global lounge access (Priority Pass + Amex lounges); comprehensive travel cover | Frequent travellers who’ll use lounges, credits, insurance and status often |
| British Airways Amex (no fee) | £0 | Avios | Varies | Earn Avios on daily spend; Amex Offers; path to Companion Voucher on the Premium Plus | Airline-aligned perks via BA ecosystem | New Avios collectors or BA-curious users who prefer no annual fee |
| BA Amex Premium Plus | Fee applies | Avios (higher earn) | Varies | Higher Avios earn; Companion Voucher at a lower/higher-value threshold than free card; often extra BA-centric perks | As per BA ecosystem; useful for reward flights | BA/oneworld flyers who can hit voucher spend and value premium Avios earn |
| Nectar Amex | Fee may apply (often low or promo) | Nectar points | Varies | Earn Nectar on most spend; strong for Sainsbury’s/Argos/eBay; Amex Offers | Limited (no lounge) | Households deep in the Nectar ecosystem who want guaranteed grocery/retail value |
| Centurion(invite-only) | Very high | Membership Rewards® | N/A | Bespoke concierge; elevated event access; luxury partnerships & upgrades | Ultra-premium travel handling | Ultra-high spenders who want tailored, white-glove service |
Card-by-card guidance
1) Cashback simplicity
- Platinum Cashback Everyday (no fee): A “set and forget” way to shave money off your spend. Best when you pay in full; interest erases gains.
- Platinum Cashback (with fee): Choose this only if your annual spend is high enough that the stronger cashback rate comfortably beats the fee.
Tip: If your spending varies, start on Everyday; upgrade later if your numbers justify it.
2) Flexible points (Membership Rewards)
- Amex Rewards (no fee): Clean path into MR points. Great if you want to learn transfers to airlines/hotels later without paying a fee now.
- Preferred Rewards Gold: A sweet spot for many. You get better earn on travel categories, occasional statement credits, and lounge passes — enough to feel premium without going all-in.
- The Platinum Card: Premium perk machine. Lounge access, top-tier insurance, hotel status, dining credits — but only worth it if you’ll actively use several benefits multiple times a year.
Tip: MR points = flexibility. If you’re unsure about Avios vs other partners, MR keeps your options open.
3) Airline loyalty (Avios)
- BA Amex (no fee): Start collecting Avios right away. Ideal if you’re testing the waters.
- BA Premium Plus: Built for people who know they’ll hit the Companion Voucher spend and will redeem for higher-value trips. If you don’t plan to use the voucher, stick with the free card or pick MR.
Tip: Companion Vouchers can be huge value — but only if you actually redeem premium-cabin or long-haul flights.
4) Everyday retail value (Nectar)
- Nectar Amex: If your weekly shop is Sainsbury’s, you buy at Argos, and you use eBay often, Nectar points convert directly into real-world savings. It’s pragmatic and family-friendly.
Costs, eligibility & fine print (what to check every time)
- Annual fees & Representative APRs: Confirm the live figures and summary box before applying.
- Welcome bonuses: Amounts, minimum spend and timelines change often; read the application page closely.
- Eligibility for bonuses: Prior Amex card history can affect welcome bonus eligibility. The application page spells this out.
- Acceptance: Amex is widely accepted at major retailers and online, but some small merchants may not accept it. Keep a backup card.
- Insurance & protections: Coverage limits, eligibility and exclusions vary by card and provider; read the policy docs.
- Installments (“Plan It”) & payment: Helpful for cash-flow, but fixed fees and interest reduce rewards value. Paying in full monthly is usually best.
How to maximise value (regardless of card)
- Match rewards to your life: Cashback if you want simplicity; MR if you want flexibility; Avios if you actually fly BA/oneworld; Nectar if you live in that retail ecosystem.
- Time the welcome window: Line up planned expenses (insurance, travel, appliances) to hit the minimum spend naturally.
- Use the benefits: Lounge passes, dining/travel credits, hotel status — don’t leave them idle.
- Stack “Amex Offers”: Regularly check the app for targeted retailer credits and bonus points.
- Add a supplementary card (trusted person): Consolidates household spend to reach thresholds faster (you remain liable).
- Pay in full: Interest and fees erase the value of rewards faster than you earn them.
Pro tip: consider applying via referral
Applying through a referral link often unlocks enhanced welcome bonuses versus public offers (and rewards the referrer). You can still choose from the eligible UK cards shown after you click through; just compare the bonuses, minimum spend, and time windows before applying.
Quick Decision Guide — “Which Amex Should I Get?”
- I want simple, no-cost value:
A no-fee cashback or entry-level points card. - I travel occasionally and want lounge visits + flexible points:
Preferred Rewards Gold (or similar mid-tier rewards card). - I’m all-in on BA and Avios:
British Airways Amex (entry) or BA Premium Plus (higher earn + Companion Voucher). - I travel frequently and will use lounge, insurance, hotel status, and credits:
The Platinum Card. - I spend very heavily and want top-tier, bespoke services:
Centurion (invite-only).
The American Express Referral (UK) — Bigger Bonuses from Day One
The amex referral / american express referral route is one of the easiest ways to secure an enhanced welcome bonusvs public offers. It also rewards the person referring you.
Your UK referral link:
👉 https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/platinum-credit?ref=fAISANFZsj&XL=MIMNS
- Applying via this link can unlock up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points, depending on the card you choose and the live offer.
- Welcome amounts, spend thresholds, and time limits vary—always check the figures shown on the application page before you apply.
How the American Express Referral Works
- Click the referral link (above).
- Browse eligible UK Amex cards—you don’t have to pick the same card the referrer has.
- Compare the welcome bonus, minimum spend, and timeframe for each card.
- Apply online. Approval is subject to status, affordability, and Amex’s criteria.
- Hit the spend target on time (with everyday purchases you planned anyway).
- Receive your bonus once you’ve qualified. The referrer also receives a bonus.
Why Use an Amex Referral?
- Bigger welcome bonuses (frequently higher than public offers)
- Stackable value—you also keep all card-specific perks and ongoing earn rates
- Flexibility—choose from MR points, Avios, or cashback cards on the referral page
- Faster rewards runway—those initial points can fund flights/hotels or statement credits much sooner
Key Fine Print (Know Before You Apply)
- Annual fees apply on certain cards; ensure the perks exceed the cost for you.
- Bonus eligibility can depend on whether you’ve recently held certain Amex cards. Check the eligibility text on the application page.
- UK residents 18+ only; applications are subject to credit checks.
- Don’t overspend just to hit a bonus; interest and fees kill value.
- Offers can change at any time—rely on the live terms shown during application.
Tips to Maximise an Amex Referral Bonus
- Pick the right reward “currency”
- Membership Rewards: most flexibility (transfer partners, travel bookings, gift cards, statement credit—options vary by card).
- Avios: best for BA/oneworld flyers who will use the Companion Voucher and award flights.
- Cashback: simplest value with no learning curve.
- Time your application
Line up planned expenses (insurance premiums, travel, appliances) within the bonus window so you naturally hit the minimum spend. - Supplementary cards
If offered, add a (trusted) supplementary cardholder so more household spend routes to the same account. (You remain responsible for all charges.) - Track progress
Use the Amex app to monitor your threshold and confirm bonus posting. - Play the long game
Frequent opening/closing can affect your credit and bonus eligibility. Focus on sustained value.
Frequently Asked Questions (Amex UK)
Is Amex worth it if I don’t travel much?
Yes—entry and mid-tier cards with cashback or MR points can be great even without frequent travel. Premium cards (like Platinum) shine if you’ll use lounge access, insurance, hotel perks, and credits.
Do I need an “amex referral” to get a welcome bonus?
No—but referral links often provide higher welcome bonuses than public offers.
Can I choose any card from the “american express referral” page?
Yes—pick from the eligible UK cards shown after you click the referral link. The bonus, spend requirement, and timeframe vary by card.
What if I’ve had Amex before?
You might still be eligible—or not—depending on which cards you held and when. The application page outlines current rules.
When do bonus points post?
Typically after you meet the minimum spend within the set timeframe. Exact posting times vary by product and promotion.
What about acceptance?
Amex acceptance is strong at large retailers, online, and in travel—but some small merchants still don’t take it. Keep a backup card just in case.
Putting It All Together
- Choose a card that matches your spend, travel, and redemption style.
- Ensure the annual fee is outweighed by perks you’ll genuinely use.
- Apply via an amex referral / american express referral for a shot at enhanced welcome bonuses.
- Use the card for everyday, planned spending—don’t overspend for points.
- Pay in full, leverage protections, and regularly use Amex Offers for extra value.
Ready to explore cards with an enhanced welcome?
Apply via this UK referral link:
👉 https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/platinum-credit?ref=fAISANFZsj&XL=MIMNS
“Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points” depends on the card selected and meeting the stated minimum spend in time. Always check the live terms on the application page.
