Why Applying through Amex Referral is better than Direct Applying
American Express India was recently allowed to process new credit card applications.
In line with the same, American Express India started with the Referral Program where a new applicant can use a referral link of an existing American Express card holder and apply for a new card.
Table of Contents
Why Take a Referral
Now, you can say that why one should take a referral and not make a direct application.
The reason is that there are inherent benefits of the referral program where
- Referrer (Existing Card holder) gets referral rewards and
- Referred person (New card applicant) gets the same card at a discount or with additional reward points compared to new application directly.
Benefits of Applying through a referral
| Card Variant | Normal Fee | Revised Fee after referral | Additional Bonus Welcome Points After Referral | What you Gain ? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex MRCC | 1st year – Rs 1000 2nd year – Rs 4500 | 1st year – Rs 0 2nd year – Rs 1500 | – | First Year Free and reduced fee of Rs 1500 in 2nd year |
| Amex Gold Card | 1st year – Rs 1000 | 1000 | 2000 | Additional 2000 Bonus points after referral+4000 MR Points on 5K spends |
| Amex Platinum Travel Card | 3500 | 0 | 2000 | First Year Free and additional 2000 points |
| Amex Smart Earn | 495 | 495 | 2000 | Additional 2000 points after referral + 500 Rs voucher |
| Amex Platinum Reserve | 5000 | 500 | 4000 | Additional 4000 points after referral + 11000 welcome MR Points |
| Amex Platinum Card | 60000 | 60000 | 10000 | Additional 10000 points after referral + Rs 45000 welcome stay vouchers |
Card by Card Benefit
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card
- Amex MRCC Direct Application
- Joining Fee – Rs 1000 + GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 4500+GST
- Welcome Bonus – 4000 MR points
- Amex MRCC after Referral
- Joining Fee – 0 (First Year Free)
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 1500+GST
- Referral Bonus – 2000 MR points
What you Gain
If you apply Amex MRCC through referral, the biggest benefit for you is the reduction in second year fee from 5310 (GST including) to Rs 1770.
For first year, you save Rs 300 (including the GST part) considering 1180 fee which is higher than the value of welcome 2000 MR points.
Use my Amex MRCC referral link to avail the benefits:
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBhFyx?CPID=999999544
Detailed review of the card, please click here.
American Express Gold Charge Card
- Amex Gold Card Direct Application
- Joining Fee – Rs 1000 + GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 4500+GST
- Welcome Bonus – 4000 MR points
- Amex Gold Card After Referral
- Joining Fee – 1000+GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 4500+GST
- Referral Bonus – 2000 MR points+4000 MR Points
What you gain
You gain 2000 MR points although the fee remains same.
Use the Amex India Gold Card referral link to avail the 2000 MR points benefit:
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBhFyx?CPID=999999544
Detailed review of the card, please click here
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
- Amex Platinum Travel Direct Application
- Joining Fee – Rs 3500 + GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 5000+GST
- Welcome Bonus – 10000 MR points worth Rs 3000
- Amex Platinum Travel After Referral
- Joining Fee – 0 (First Year Free)
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 5000+GST
- Referral Bonus – 2000 MR points
What you gain
You gain 2000 MR points + savings of Rs 1130 (including GST saved)
Use my Amex India Platinum Travel Referral link to avail the benefits:
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBxmEu?CPID=999999544
Detailed review of the card, please click here
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
- Amex SmartEarn Direct Application
- Joining Fee – Rs 495 + GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 495+GST
- Welcome Bonus – Rs 500 cashback
- Amex SmartEarn After Referral
- Joining Fee – Rs 495+GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 495+GST
- Referral Bonus – 2000 MR points
What you gain
You gain 2000 MR points
Use my Amex SmartEarn Referral link to avail the benefits:
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBxmEu?CPID=999999544
Detailed review of the card, please click here.
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
- Amex Platinum Reserve Direct Application
- Joining Fee – Rs 5000 + GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 495+GST
- Welcome Bonus – 11000 MR points
- Amex Platinum Reserve After Referral
- Joining Fee – Rs 5000+GST
- 2nd year onwards – Rs 10000+GST
- Referral Bonus – 4000 MR points + 11000 MR Points
What you gain
You gain 4000 MR points
Use my Amex India Platinum Reserve Referral link to avail the benefits of 4000 MR points:
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBxmEu?CPID=999999544
How to Apply another Amex card using referral link
1. Click referral link
Amex MRCC referral link- https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBhFyx?CPID=999999544
Amex Platinum Travel referral link– https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBxmEu?CPID=999999544
2. Click View All Cards
3. Review all cards and then goto your selected card – say Amex Gold
4. Then Click ‘Apply Now’
Amex available in which cities
One major complaint that people have had is that Amex India doesnot give credit cards if I donot live in a particular city. Its not in my city.
Guess what!!! Amex has added new cities to the list of serviceable cities where if you live (or have address proof), then you are eligible to apply for the Amex cards.
So, if you apply in any of the below cities, then please feel free to apply for Amex MRCC or another Amex card using my referral to avail the benefits.
Amex MRCC referral link – https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBhFyx?CPID=999999544
Amex Plat Travel referral link– https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/tARUNBxmEu?CPID=999999544
My Take On This Program
All in all this, Amex India Referral Program is a great option for anyone looking to apply for a new American Express Card since he gains additional benefits of either fee waiver or additional MR points or both depending upon the card variant. It’s a win-win for a card applicant and existing Amex cardholder. With the new cities added to the Amex serviceable city network, it makes complete sense to apply for Amex cards now and avail the benefits.
If you are looking to apply to any American Express card and want to discuss which one is best for you, you can either write in comments or reach out directly to me via my social media handles given on the site.
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About The Author
Amex Platinum Travel card refferal is ON, use my referral link to apply for this card.
https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/pRITADWUAV?XLINK=MYCP
If anyone interested in this card, i can guide in application through my referral and also help achieving most benefit with minimum spend to make it theoretically LTF.