_edited.jpg)
Earn Up To 100,000 Membership Rewards Points with the American Express Gold and Platinum: New Sign Up Bonuses for March 2026
- Sam
- 34 minutes ago
- 7 min read
American Express has launched yet another round of limited-time sign-up bonuses on the Gold and Platinum cards, running until 26 May 2026. If you missed out on the last set of offers (which ended in January), this is your second chance to grab a good haul of Membership Rewards points.
Today we are going to cover what is on offer for both new and existing cardmembers, and we will also show you how to bag an even bigger bonus through a referral link.
Why Does This Matter?
Membership Rewards points are one of the most flexible loyalty currencies out there. They convert 1:1 into Avios, plus you can convert Membership Rewards into these airline programmes (including Avios and Virgin Points), and they can also be used for hotels, shopping, or even statement credit. If you are new to the process, we have a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your Membership Rewards points to airline programmes. With these sign-up bonuses, you could be booking flights or hotel stays far sooner than expected.
The offers run until 26 May 2026, and as always, terms and conditions apply. You must be over 18, and approval is subject to status.
Just a quick heads-up: Points Well Made is here to dish out the juicy details on miles and points, but we're not your financial advisers. Any decisions you make regarding products featured on this site are your own responsibility, and you should always consider whether a product suits your personal circumstances. While we chat about all manner of lender goodies, we're not a lender ourselves. Remember, you know you best.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card
The Bonus: 40,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £5,000 in the first six months - double the usual bonus
The Fee: Free in year one (then £195 annually if you keep it)
Who qualifies for the bonus? You must not have held a personal American Express card in the last 24 months.
Representative APR: 85.8% variable (including fee), 29.1% variable on purchases
This is often the most accessible route into American Express rewards for the cards that you pay for, especially with the first year being free. If you have been Amex-free for the last two years, it could be an easy way to earn a decent points boost. We rate it so highly that we wrote an entire review on why we think it is the best starter card for earning points.
You can also apply via a friend's referral link which will boost the bonus even higher to 45,000 Membership Rewards points! If you don't know anyone who has an Amex, and would still like a referral code, then click here (to get to the Gold, press "View all Cards with a Referral Offer" in the top left).
Other perks you'll enjoy with Gold
On top of the sign-up bonus, the Gold Card offers a well-rounded set of benefits designed for everyday spending and travel:
Points on all your spend - Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every £1 spent. Collect 2 MR Points for every £1 spent directly with airlines or in a foreign currency, and 3 MR Points for every £1 spent on Amex Travel. Plus, collect up to 5,000 points when you spend £10,000 annually, collecting another 5,000 at £20,000.
Deliveroo credit - Get £5 back twice a month with Deliveroo, worth up to £120 a year (enrolment required, terms apply).
Airport lounge access - Four complimentary Priority Pass visits per year, unlocking entry to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
The Hotel Collection - Book two nights or more through Amex Travel for perks like late checkout, a possible upgrade, and a US$100 credit to spend on extras such as dining or spa.
Amex Experiences® - Priority access to presale tickets and exclusive events, plus use of the Amex Lounge at The O2 London.
Amex Offers - Earn cashback as statement credit with partner retailers across travel, fashion, dining and more.
Plan It™ instalments - Split purchases of £100+ into predictable monthly instalments with a fixed fee, while continuing to earn rewards.
Are you following us on social media? If not, why not! Go drop us a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok so that you never miss any of your favourite content!
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Bonus: 75,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £10,000 in the first six months + £250 American Express Travel Credit
The Fee: £650 annually (pro-rata refund if you cancel)
Who qualifies for the bonus? You're eligible as long as you haven't held a Membership Rewards-earning Amex card in the past 24 months. Holding a BA, Nectar, Marriott or cashback Amex doesn't disqualify you.
Representative APR: 685.3% variable (including fee), 29.1% variable on purchases
The Platinum Card is famous for its premium travel benefits and wide-ranging perks. While the fee is hefty, we have had an Amex Platinum on and off for a few years now.
Cardmembers find that lounge access, hotel status upgrades and annual credits more than justify the cost, especially when paired with a limited-time 75,000 point sign-up bonus and the £250 Travel Credit.
Compared to the last round (which ended 13 January), the spend target has increased from £6,000 in three months to £10,000 in six months. That is a higher total spend, but you now have twice as long to reach it, which should make it more achievable for most people.
A quick note about the Travel Credit as some people will be unfamiliar with this. The Travel Credit will only be issued to you once you hit the £10,000 spend target (the same trigger as the points bonus). You can only use the Travel Credit to pay for a pre-paid travel booking via Amex Travel. After you have booked your travel, the credit will appear as a statement credit in your account. You can only use the Travel Credit once. Full T&Cs here.
Just like the Gold card, you can also apply via a friend's referral link which will boost the bonus to an enormous 100,000 Membership Rewards points + £250 Travel Credit! If you don't know anyone who has an Amex, and would still like a referral code, then click here!
Other perks you'll enjoy with Platinum
Points on all your spend - Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every £1 spent. Collect 2 MR Points for every £1 spent on Amex Travel.
Worldwide lounge access - Unlimited entry for you and a guest at over 1,550 airport lounges through Priority Pass, plus access to Centurion Lounges and other exclusive spaces. We recently reviewed the Centurion Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 and it is easily one of the best lounges at the airport.
Hotel status upgrades - Complimentary elite status with major hotel groups such as Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy and Radisson Rewards.
Fine Hotels + Resorts - Book from over 3,000 Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection properties through Amex Travel for perks including a room upgrade on arrival when available, early check-in, and a US$100 credit to use towards eligible on-property charges such as dining and spa. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Terms apply.
Travel credit - £250 annually for flight bookings made through Amex Travel.
Dining perks - Receive up to £200 in statement credits to spend in the UK per year, and a further £200 to spend abroad, available at select restaurants (click here for the full list).
Comprehensive insurance - Worldwide travel cover, car hire insurance, and purchase protection included (terms apply).
Amex Experiences & Lounge at The O2 - Special ticket access and use of the Amex Lounge.
Amex Offers - Tailored savings across leading brands, returned as statement credit.
And many more...
Already Have an Amex? Here's What's In It For You
These offers are not just for new cardmembers. American Express has also launched enhanced bonuses for existing Gold and Platinum holders.
Invite a Friend
If you already hold a Gold or Platinum card, you can earn bonus points by referring someone to Amex:
Existing Platinum cardmembers can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points when they invite a friend, and their friend can earn 100,000 points and a £250 Travel Credit when meeting the minimum spend.
Existing Gold cardmembers can earn 14,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when they invite a friend, and their friend can earn 45,000 points when meeting the minimum spend.
Add a Supplementary Card for Bonus Points
Until 30 April 2026, if you have never added a free supplementary card to your Gold or Platinum account, you can pick up a boosted bonus just for doing so:
Gold cardmembers can earn 9,000 Membership Rewards points for adding their first supplementary card (usually 3,000).
Platinum cardmembers can earn 12,000 Membership Rewards points for adding their first supplementary card (usually 5,000).
A supplementary card is a second card on your account for a partner or family member. It is completely free, and they earn points that go straight into your Membership Rewards balance. If you are a new cardmember signing up during this offer period, these supplementary card bonuses stack on top of your sign-up bonus. That means a new Platinum cardmember using a referral link and adding a supplementary card could earn up to 112,000 Membership Rewards points plus the £250 Travel Credit. On the Gold side, that is up to 54,000 points with a referral and supplementary card combined.
Final Thoughts About These American Express Sign Up Bonuses...
With two huge new American Express sign-up bonuses up for grabs, now could be the perfect time. The Gold Card gives you a rewarding entry point with no fee in year one and plenty of travel and lifestyle extras, while the Platinum Card goes all-in on luxury perks and premium benefits. Which card works best really depends on your lifestyle, your spending habits and how much value you would make from the perks.
Remember, you must pay these cards off in full every month or they will start to accrue that high rate of interest, and you may not get the points you have earned. Pay off your balance in full every month, and you will be okay.
If you want to hold off on pulling the trigger, mark down in your diary that these offers run until 26 May 2026.
Sam
Points Well Made is a passion project of Sam and Helena with a loyal following. If you like what we do, and wish to help us continue to create the content you love, please consider buying us a Kofi, or subscribing monthly. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
