※The referral URL will be sent via email.
Ever since I started using the American Express (AMEX) Gold Preferred, my points have been piling up so fast that I literally said, “Wait… they grow this much?” It kept increasing at a level that almost scared me. Of course, points don’t grow automatically. But the crazy part is that just everyday spending turned into about 140,000 miles before I even noticed. AMEX is dangerous in a good way.
Annual Fee: ¥39,600
Let’s get this out of the way first. The Gold Preferred has an annual fee of ¥39,600 (tax included). You might think, “That’s expensive!” but honestly, if you use the points, perks, and travel benefits properly, you easily earn it back. Paying the fee hurts for one second, but the perks that follow give you comfort that completely outweighs that pain.
What 140,000 Miles Can Get You
With 140,000 miles, your travel options expand instantly. ANA Miles (Star Alliance) Europe round-trip (Economy): 55,000–65,000 Turkey round-trip (Economy): 55,000–65,000 Hawaii round-trip (Economy): 35,000–40,000 Southeast Asia round-trip (Economy): 35,000–45,000 With 140,000 miles, you can fly to Europe round-trip twice. It feels unreal.
Aeroplan (Air Canada) Turkish Airlines to Istanbul round-trip: 60,000–70,000pt Singapore Airlines to Southeast Asia round-trip: 40,000–55,000pt More flexible than ANA, and works extremely well with AMEX.
AMEX Referral Program
In short: Referred person: receives more bonus points than usual Referrer: receives bonus points too It’s a win-win system. You just click the referral link and the bonus applies. I doubted it at first, but yes, you really just click it.
Benefits I Personally Felt
Points accumulate fast. One day I looked at my balance and thought, “Is this my second salary?” Perfect for travelers. Relaxing in an airport lounge makes you feel like a slightly upgraded human. In reality, I’m still just a normal person. Customer support is incredibly kind. Sometimes I think I’m paying the annual fee just to talk to these angels.
About the Referral URL
I’m not trying to force anyone, but referral applications simply give you more points, so it’s objectively the better deal. I could paste the link directly here, but some people don’t like long URLs in their blog layout. So instead: Please email me at★★kazu1106.58@gmail.com★★and I will send you the referral URL. Don’t worry—sending me an email won’t make my doorbell ring.
Summary
The AMEX Gold Preferred costs ¥39,600 per year, but the points, perks, and travel comfort easily pay it back. With 140,000 miles, you can travel to Europe round-trip twice. And with the referral program, you get more bonus points than usual. If you’re considering it, applying through a referral is simply the best deal.