• Hey there! Welcome to TFC! View fewer ads on the website just by signing up on TF Community.

American Express Referral Program - Everything You Need To Know About Amex MGM Program

TechnoFinoTechnoFino is verified member.

Founder
TF Family
Founder
Admin
American Express is a global Card company present almost everywhere around the world. They are mainly known for their travel and lifestyle-related credit cards. There are many ways to earn extra Membership Reward points (MR points), and one of them is by referring your friends, family members, and colleagues. Yes, Amex does offer a referral bonus to all of its Card Members - the program is called "Member Get Member" (MGM). Let's delve into more detail about it.

What is the MGM Program?
American Express allows all eligible Card Members to refer new people to Amex, and for every successful referral, both the referrer and the referee get some bonus MR points. You can refer your family members, friends, or colleagues and earn easy bonus MR points.

How many bonus points do you get for every successful referral?
This depends on the card you are holding. You can check the referrer and referee benefits from the table below.

If you (MGMer) are holding an American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card or American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card or American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card or American Express Gold Card, you can refer people to these cards and enjoy the associated benefits:
The Card your friend applies for (MGMee)​
Their reward (MGMee)​
Your reward (MGMer)​
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Gold Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card4,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Card10,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership8,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card

If you (MGMer) are holding the American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, you can refer people to these cards and enjoy the associated benefits:
The Card your friend applies for (MGMee)​
Their reward (MGMee)​
Your reward (MGMer)​
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Gold Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card2,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card4,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card
American Express Platinum Card10,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership5,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card

#If you (MGMer) are holding an American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card, American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express Gold Card or SmartEarn Credit Card, you can earn a total of 150,000 MR Points in a calendar year from the MGM program per Amex card.

If you (MGMer) are holding the American Express Platinum Card or American Express Centurion Card, you can refer people to these cards and enjoy the associated benefits:
The Card your friend applies for (MGMee)​
Their reward (MGMee)​
Your reward (MGMer)​
American Express Platinum Card10,000 Membership Rewards Points upon spending INR 5,000 in the first 90 days of MGMee Cardmembership25,000 MR Points on approval of MGMee's Card

#If you are holding the American Express Platinum Card or American Express Centurion Card, then you can earn a total of 500,000 MR Points in a calendar year from the MGM program per Amex card.

MGMees will also enjoy discounted card membership fees on few Amex cards if they apply via someone's referral link. Here, I'm posting a chart comparing the charges for a card approved via a referral link and a card approved directly:

Card NameFees, if applied directlyFees, if applied via referral link
American Express SmartEarn Credit CardFirst year fee: Rs. 495 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 495 plus applicable taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 495 plus applicable taxes
American Express Membership Rewards Credit CardFirst year fee: Rs. 1000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 4500 plus applicable taxes
First year fee: Nil
Second year onwards: 1500 plus applicable taxes
American Express Gold CardFirst year fee: Rs. 1000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 4500 plus applicable taxes
First year fee: Rs. 1000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 4500 plus applicable taxes
American Express Platinum Travel Credit CardFirst year fee: Rs. 3500 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 5000 plus applicable taxes
First year fee: Nil
Second year onwards: 5000 plus applicable taxes
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit CardFirst year fee: Rs. 5000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 10000 plus applicable taxes
First year fee: Rs. 5000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: 10000 plus applicable taxes
American Express Platinum CardAnnual fee: Rs. 66000 plus applicable taxesAnnual fee: Rs. 66000 plus applicable taxes

The current MGM campaign is valid until March 31, 2024. Therefore, you have the opportunity to earn up to 3 Lakhs MR Points in total per card (1.5 Lakhs in 2023 and another 1.5 Lakhs in 2024). If you hold the Platinum Card or Centurion Card, you can earn up to 10 lakhs MR points in total (5 Lakhs in 2023 and another 5 Lakhs in 2024).

Special festival offer: Additionally, Amex India is currently running a special festival offer. If someone applies for an Amex card during the offer period from September 14, 2023, to October 31, 2023, both the referee and the referrer will receive a set of Limited-Edition Playing Cards from Amex, upon approval of referee’s card.

special playing cards.PNG

Here are the images of the special edition payment card kit I received from Amex India:

20231020_114557.jpg
20231020_114700.jpg
20231020_115153.jpg

How to get the referral link?
You can generate a referral link by logging in to your Amex Online Card account or through the Amex mobile app.

From Amex Online Card account:
  1. Log in to your Amex India account.
  2. In the middle of the page, you'll see a banner that says "Refer Friends. Get Rewarded." Click on the "Refer Now" blue button.
    Screenshot 2023-10-20 at 11.36.33 AM.png
  3. On that page, you'll find your personalized referral link.
From the Mobile App:
  1. Log in to your Amex India mobile app.
  2. Click on "Account."
  3. At the bottom of the page, you'll find "Refer and Earn." Click on it.
  4. On the next screen, you'll see a blue "Share" button at the bottom. Click on it to copy your referral link. referral amex.jpeg
  5. Now, you can share the link with your family members, friends, or colleagues.

Now, why should someone consider getting an Amex Card?
American Express is a globally renowned credit card issuer known for offering powerful and highly rewarding credit and charge cards, with a strong focus on travel and lifestyle benefits. Let me highlight some key advantages of having an Amex card:
  1. World-Class Customer Service: Amex is known for its customer service across the world.
  2. Travel & Lifestyle-Focused Cards: Amex offers cards tailored to travel and lifestyle enthusiasts.
  3. Strong Reward System: Amex Membership Rewards is considered one of the best credit card reward programs in the world.
  4. Abundant Transfer Partners: Amex has numerous airline and hotel transfer partners, making it easy to convert MR points into airline miles or hotel loyalty points.
  5. Unique Event Invitations: Higher variant Amex cards offer exclusive invitations to unique and private events.
  6. Amex Concierge Service: Amex Concierge is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
There are many more benefits to having an Amex credit card. You can explore Amex card-specific review articles on TF Community, TF Blog, or watch videos on the TF YouTube channel. Click here to apply now for an American Express card that complements your lifestyle.
 
Last edited:
Such an informative thread. I have 18 active cards currently but no AMEX.

Planning to apply MRCC tomorrow as my first AMEX card. Looking for an exchange offer. Kindly DM if interested.
Please check your DM. Happy to help with queries. I have received MRCC card two weeks back, Also I got the GOLD card yesterday.
 
Now I have to check if they can make my other amex cards as companion cards. In all probability care will say you need to receive a email offer. However once I receive will escalate and see. Now I have plat travel mrcc which is nearing for fee free milestone 1.50lakhs another 30k to go and next year renewal it will ve free card.
 
I was recently approved plat chg through c2c and it is shipped awaiting receipt of card
Congrats Alok! That is such a great news!
You have been eyeing at this card for so long, I'm so happy to be a part of your journey and seeing you go from no Amex to getting the best card one can possibly get in the country!
 
Congrats Alok! That is such a great news!
You have been eyeing at this card for so long, I'm so happy to be a part of your journey and seeing you go from no Amex to getting the best card one can possibly get in the country!
Thanks coolguy1 ! Learning from all you experienced guys in forum. Now they started sending upgrade email from plat travel to Amex reserve. I already have plat travel mrcc and gold chg now am getting plat chg which is on way. Not sure why they are sending upgrade offer for reserve. Am at a loss but these are paid cards. Will they make my other cards companion card since am going g to get by post plat chg
 
Please suggest me an optimal goal/strategy ? for AmEx Cards ..

1. accumulate points for future stays or travel ? ( I don't think I need these for atleast the next 2 years ) basic ones are covered via other cards

2. Get Amazon / Flipkart / Other Vouchers for 24K or 18K points after a year ( estimated time to accumulate the required points, as per my usage )
 
Please suggest me an optimal goal/strategy ? for AmEx Cards ..

1. accumulate points for future stays or travel ? ( I don't think I need these for atleast the next 2 years ) basic ones are covered via other cards

2. Get Amazon / Flipkart / Other Vouchers for 24K or 18K points after a year ( estimated time to accumulate the required points, as per my usage )

whats your usage like? which AmEx cards are we talking about?

your post need more info about your spending pattern, categories to suggest optimal goal/strategy for AMEX cards.
 
whats your usage like? which AmEx cards are we talking about?

your post need more info about your spending pattern, categories to suggest optimal goal/strategy for AMEX cards.
I was earlier thinking to get Gold Charge and then get MRCC as free companion, but now it seems like getting MRCC as free companion has been discontinued. So, I am now planning to get MRCC via a friend's referral

Spending is going to be 4 x 1,500 x 12 (Amazon Pay or other vouchers) and additional 14,000 every 2 months.
Total 72,000 + 84,000, making me eligible for Fee waiver.

According to my spends Amazon Pay vouchers make sense, 14,000 will be spread across education, fuel, etc.
 
whats your usage like? which AmEx cards are we talking about?

your post need more info about your spending pattern, categories to suggest optimal goal/strategy for AMEX cards.
Note: I've got Axis Airtel and SBI CB in my family as well,
but isn't AmEx MRCC providing better value if all spends are combined? mainly education fees are paid online but max cb I get on those are 1 %
With MRCC I might get upwards of that, right?
Please share your opinion.
 
I was earlier thinking to get Gold Charge and then get MRCC as free companion, but now it seems like getting MRCC as free companion has been discontinued. So, I am now planning to get MRCC via a friend's referral

Spending is going to be 4 x 1,500 x 12 (Amazon Pay or other vouchers) and additional 14,000 every 2 months.
Total 72,000 + 84,000, making me eligible for Fee waiver.

According to my spends Amazon Pay vouchers make sense, 14,000 will be spread across education, fuel, etc.

you already have optimal strategy with this card, not sure anything to speedup unless going for offers which personalized based on spends.

do note that, your airtl, cb occupies utilities, online spends, food and grocery orders.

so, mrcc will serve extension to those utilities, other online spends, fuel. Education acceptance is poor, so make sure your intended organization accepts those payments with amex. If solo intention education, not recommended but other spends as mentioned, its good card for you.

with these three cards, I'm assuming your annual spends should be > 4L (artl max. 1L (~11%) + cb apprx. 1.5L (~4%) + mrcc apprx. 1.5L (~5.5%)) othrwise it will reduce overall return %.

So, unless you have 4L spends not recommended.
 
I was earlier thinking to get Gold Charge and then get MRCC as free companion, but now it seems like getting MRCC as free companion has been discontinued. So, I am now planning to get MRCC via a friend's referral

Spending is going to be 4 x 1,500 x 12 (Amazon Pay or other vouchers) and additional 14,000 every 2 months.
Total 72,000 + 84,000, making me eligible for Fee waiver.

According to my spends Amazon Pay vouchers make sense, 14,000 will be spread across education, fuel, etc.
They are not giving companion card although am still holding plat chg. Everytime decline
 
Back
Top