Amex Platinum Referral UK 2026: 55,000 Membership Rewards Points
New American Express customers can get 55,000 Membership Rewards® points by applying for The Platinum Card® through our referral link, being approved, and spending £6,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership.
- 55,000 Membership Rewards points as a Welcome Bonus
- Spend £6,000 in your first 3 months to unlock
- Transfers 1:1 to Avios, Virgin Points, Emirates, Marriott and more
- £400 Global Dining Credit + 1,200+ airport lounges + travel insurance
1. How to Claim the 55,000-Point Welcome Bonus
Amex refer-a-friend is link-based — there is no code to type. The bonus is attached the moment you begin the application from the referral URL. Starting on americanexpress.com directly means the referral won't count.
Tap the referral link on the device you'll apply from. You'll land on a page that says "Your friend has invited you to get The Platinum Card®." That is the correct page — the 55,000-point bonus is only attached from here.
Complete the online application. Amex performs a soft credit search for the initial decision, so applying does not immediately hurt your credit file. A hard search runs only if you are approved and accept the Card.
Physical Card typically arrives within 7 working days. Activate it in the Amex app or online. The 3-month spend window starts from the date of Cardmembership shown in your welcome pack.
Any eligible purchase counts — groceries, travel, dining, HMRC tax, rent via Curve or Billhop, utilities, subscriptions. Interest charges, cash withdrawals, balance transfers and fees do not count towards the £6,000.
Amex credits the 55,000 points 8–10 weeks after you cross the £6,000 threshold. Points land as a lump credit in your Membership Rewards balance, visible in the Amex app.
£6,000 over 90 days is ~£2,000/month — well within reach if you route regular bills through the Card. The single biggest lever is paying HMRC self-assessment or corporation tax via Billhop (~2.95% fee, but still net-positive if you value Membership Rewards at 1p+ per point). Rent and council tax via Curve also count as normal Amex spend. Time the application for a month when you have a big planned outlay (holiday, insurance renewal, appliance, wedding) so the £6,000 target lands naturally without overspending.
3. What The Platinum Card® Gives You
Plus 2 points per £1 at American Express Travel Online.
£200 UK + £200 abroad each year, split into two £100 half-year credits. Re-enrolment required each January.
Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club (subject to programme rules), plus partner lounges across 130+ countries.
Comprehensive cover for you and your family from the moment you book with the Card (subject to enrolment).
Up to £10/month in statement credits on Addison Lee UK car services.
Room upgrades, breakfast for two, resort credit and late checkout at 1,600+ luxury hotels.
24/7 travel and dining concierge for bookings, recommendations and hard-to-get reservations.
Cover on eligible new purchases plus Section 75 protection on £100–£30,000 spend.
4. Eligibility & the Amex 24-Month Rule
5. Key Terms & Fees
6. What 55,000 Membership Rewards Points Get You
Membership Rewards transfer 1:1 to most airline programmes, which makes them one of the most flexible currencies in UK travel. Rough valuations for 55,000 points:
| Redemption | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Transfer to Avios (BA) | Return long-haul Economy off-peak, or short-haul Business return |
| Transfer to Virgin Points | Return Upper Class reward on a partner short-haul, or long-haul Economy |
| Transfer to Marriott Bonvoy | 2–3 free nights at a Category 3–4 hotel |
| Amazon.co.uk Pay with Points | ~£275 (0.5p/point) |
| Statement credit for travel | ~£385 (0.7p/point on Amex Travel) |
Airline transfers usually deliver the highest value per point (1.0–2.0p depending on route and cabin), which is why the 55,000-point Welcome Bonus is a genuine £500–£1,100 in travel value in most redemptions.
7. Source Documentation & Verification
This offer was last verified in July 2026. Here's exactly how we check it:
- Re-test the Amex referral link from a logged-out browser and confirm it lands on the official "Your friend has invited you" Platinum referral page.
- Cross-check the 55,000-point Welcome Bonus, £6,000 / 3-month spend requirement and £650 annual fee against the live application summary box.
- Confirm American Express Services Europe Limited is still authorised on the FCA register (FRN 661836).
- Re-verify monthly, and immediately whenever a reader reports a discrepancy.
- • American Express UK — Refer a Friend
- • The Platinum Card® referral landing page
- • Amex UK — Platinum Charge vs Credit Card
- • Membership Rewards transfer partners
- • American Express on Wikipedia
- • BonusBlueprint verification, July 2026
See also: Monzo referral bonus · Chase UK referral · Virgin Atlantic credit card · all money-app referral offers.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the Amex Platinum referral offer in 2026?
Apply for The Platinum Card® through our referral link, be approved and spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership to receive 55,000 Membership Rewards® points as a Welcome Bonus. The referral must be attached at application — direct americanexpress.com applications don't qualify.
How do I claim the 55,000 Membership Rewards points?
Open the referral link (https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/platinum-credit?ref=eHSANH0nE5&XL=MIANS), tap Apply now on the referral landing page, complete the application and be approved. Once your Card arrives, spend £6,000 within your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Amex credits the 55,000 points 8–10 weeks after you hit the threshold.
Is there a typed Amex referral code?
No. American Express referrals are link-based. The referral is captured when you start the application from the referral URL — there is no short code to type. If you leave the referral page and apply directly on americanexpress.com the bonus does not attach.
Who is eligible for the Amex Platinum Welcome Bonus?
UK residents aged 18+, with a permanent UK address, a UK bank or building society account, minimum income of £35,000, no bad-debt history, and who have NOT held any personal Membership Rewards-enrolled American Express Card in the previous 24 months. Corporate Amex and Marriott Bonvoy Amex do not affect eligibility.
How much is the Amex Platinum annual fee?
£650 per year for The Platinum Card®. Supplementary Cards can be added. The 55,000-point Welcome Bonus is worth roughly £275–£550 depending on how you redeem, and the £400 Global Dining Credit plus £120 Addison Lee credit alone can cover most of the fee for regular users.
What can I redeem 55,000 Membership Rewards points for?
Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to 15+ airline and hotel partners including British Airways Executive Club (Avios), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. 55,000 points is typically enough for a return long-haul Economy or short-haul Business reward flight, subject to award availability and taxes. You can also use Pay with Points on Amazon.co.uk or take an Amazon.co.uk gift card.
Is the £6,000 spend threshold easy to meet?
£6,000 in 3 months averages £2,000/month. Card-friendly spend includes HMRC tax payments (via Billhop), council tax and rent (via Curve or Billhop), utility bills, groceries, travel and any planned large purchases. Amex is very widely accepted in the UK in 2026 — over 90% of card-accepting merchants take Amex.
Is the Platinum Card a credit card or charge card?
The card offered on this referral link is the Platinum Credit Card — a variable-APR credit card that allows a revolving balance (29.1% p.a. purchase rate, 685.3% representative APR variable). Amex also offers a separate Platinum Charge Card which must be paid in full each month; that is a different product.
How long does it take for the 55,000 points to arrive?
Amex typically credits the Welcome Bonus 8–10 weeks after you meet the £6,000 spend threshold within your first 3 months of Cardmembership. The points appear as a lump credit in your Membership Rewards balance.
Is Amex regulated and safe in the UK?
Yes. American Express Services Europe Limited is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 661836). Credit-card purchases between £100 and £30,000 are protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which makes Amex jointly liable with the retailer if something goes wrong.
Does the Amex Platinum referral link still work in 2026?
Yes — the referral link was last re-verified in July 2026. Amex refer-a-friend is a long-standing programme. If the link ever stops working we update this page immediately.
55,000 Membership Rewards points after £6,000 spend in 3 months • £650 annual fee