The American Express referral program

Got an Amex card? Here’s how you can earn up to 200,000 bonus points a year through referrals to friends and family.

The Amex Refer a Friend program gives you a way to get more points for yourself, plus perks for people you refer to American Express. When an offer is available, you earn bonus points for each successful referral you make.

The people you refer may also get bonus points or other perks, such as a waived annual fee in the first year.

How many points can I get through the Amex Refer a Friend program?

You'll typically get between 5,000 and 40,000 bonus points (or more) for each successful referral. The amount depends on factors including your card and the specific American Express referral offer. You can refer up to 20 people and earn a maximum of 200,000 points per year.

To give you an idea of the potential value, below we've included some examples of referral offers available in February 2024.

Qantas American Express Ultimate Card

If you hold a Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you get 40,000 Qantas Points for each friend or family member that applies and is approved using your referral link.

The people you refer will also earn 50,000 bonus Qantas Points if they apply through your referral link by 14 January 2025 and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in their first 3 months of card membership.

Qantas American Express Discovery Card

With the Qantas American Express Discovery, you earn 5,000 Qantas Points for each successful referral.

People you refer did not get bonus points with this offer.

A screenshot of a referral offer for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, including details that it is a limited time offer.

How can I refer a friend to Amex?

You can refer friends through the Amex app or website. The steps below take you through how to do it online. We've also included screenshots of someone with an Amex card accessing referral details from a mobile phone to give you an example of the process.

1. Log into your account

Go to the American Express referral page and log in with your user ID and password or credit card information.

A screenshot of the Amex Refer A Friend login page.

2. Check for referral offers

You will see the current offer (or offers) you can get for referring friends.

Note: If you have more than one Amex card or referral offer, choose the one that you want to use. You'll then get a referral link for it.

Details of an Amex referral bonus offer for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card.

3. Share your referral link with friends and family

You'll get a link you can copy, or share through email and other social media apps.

Note: Make sure your friends and family apply using your referral link. Otherwise, you won't be eligible for a referral bonus and they won't be eligible for any referral offers either.
The share link for an American Express referral offer.

Amex Refer a Friend key details

The terms and conditions for American Express referral offers vary but usually include the following:

  • No spam. The terms and conditions state that you shouldn't spam. You also shouldn't share this offer in public forums, on social media or anywhere else where people you don't know could use it. So, make sure you ask for permission before sending someone a referral link.
  • Friends and family. Only send American Express referrals and offers to close friends and family.
  • Referral cap. You can refer up to 20 people and earn up to a maximum 200,000 points each year. So if you successfully referred 20 people, you'd get an equivalent to 10,000 points per person based on this cap, even if the bonus points offer was higher.
  • Approved applications only. You'll only get a referral bonus if the person you refer applies through your referral link and is approved. There may be other terms and conditions for specific offers too. For privacy and confidentiality, American Express will not let you know if someone you have referred is approved or declined. If they are successful, the bonus points will be added to your account in 8 to 10 weeks.
  • New memberships. This program is only open to friends or family that would be considered as new American Express members. This means the people you refer cannot hold a current Amex card and cannot have held an American Express card in the last 18 months.

With these details in mind, you’re all set share your American Express referral code with friends or family members who are interested in getting an Amex card. Just remember, referral bonuses are typically only available for a limited time, so you'll need to wait until an offer is available through your account.

Don't have an Amex card yet? Compare American Express Credit Cards

Name Bonus points Points per $ spent Purchase rate p.a. Annual fee
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$450
Go to siteMore Info
Get a yearly $450 Travel Credit and 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
American Express Explorer Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$395
Go to siteMore Info
Get 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
40,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$108
Go to siteMore Info
Offers 40,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
American Express Velocity Platinum Card image
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
60,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$440
Go to siteMore Info
Enjoy 60,000 bonus Velocity Points, up to 100 bonus Status Credits and up to 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent. Plus, a return domestic flight each year.
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card image
Qantas Business Rewards
Bonus points
130,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$450
Go to siteMore Info
(ABN holders w/ $75k revenue). Earn 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months.
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card image
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
20,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$95
Go to siteMore Info
Get 20,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the spend requirement, receive $50 statement credit and earn up to 1.75 Velocity Points per $1 spent.
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,450
Go to siteMore Info
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.
American Express Platinum Business Card
American Express Platinum Business Card image
Finder Award
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
250,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$875 first year ($1,750 after)
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, a first-year annual fee discount.
American Express Business Gold Plus Card
American Express Business Gold Plus Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$395
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 150,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to 3 points per $1 spent at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell.
American Express Velocity Business Card
American Express Velocity Business Card image
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
120,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$249
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 120,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Qantas Corporate Card
American Express Qantas Corporate Card image
Membership Rewards Spirit
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$70
More Info
Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, triple Qantas Points on eligible business flights.
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0 first year ($195 after)
More Info
Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year. Plus, $200 Travel Credit every year.
Qantas American Express Premium Card
Qantas American Express Premium Card image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
20,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$249
More Info
Get 20,000 bonus Qantas Points and 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations per year, plus complimentary travel insurance.
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
American Express Low Rate Credit Card image
Finder Award
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Purchase rate p.a.
10.99%
Annual fee
$0
More Info
Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas American Express Discovery Card image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
0.75
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0
More Info
Earn uncapped Qantas Points per $1 spent, plus a $0 annual fee.
American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
American Express Business Explorer Credit Card image
Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$149
More Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and earn up to 2 points on eligible business spending.
American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card
American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card image
Membership Rewards Spirit
Bonus points
250,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,200
More Info
Get 250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $25,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, 3x Qantas Points for eligible business flights and complimentary lounge passes.
American Express Corporate Gold Card
American Express Corporate Gold Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$105
More Info
Earn 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 2 months from card approval.
American Express Qantas Corporate Gold Card
American Express Qantas Corporate Gold Card image
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$105
More Info
Get 75,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, earn 1.5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on most corporate spend and triple Qantas Points on eligible business flights.
American Express Corporate Platinum Card
American Express Corporate Platinum Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
250,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$800
More Info
Receive 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $25,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Corporate Card
American Express Corporate Card image
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$70
More Info
Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months.
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Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

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