Sign Up With American Express, Get a Free Trip

I'm not usually into signing up for credit cards just to get free stuff (those kind of promos seem to be all over the place), but this one by American Express is actually pretty good and worth the hassle.

For the trouble of signing up for the American Express® AeroplanPlus Gold Card (and then cancelling the card later, like most people will do), you will get 30,000 Aeroplan miles—or pretty much a free round trip flight in North America...Not bad at all.

The "Catch"

The "catch" is that you will actually need to use the credit card: "you can earn 30,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles after you spend $500 in your first three months of Cardmembership". I don't see that as an issue at all, just use it to pay your bills (for example: Costco is a place that accepts American Express) and you'll easily cover the $500 spending goal.

Catch #2 (info for referrers like me)

"If our records indicate that any person you have referred has opted not to receive e-mails from us, your referral will not be sent and you will not receive the referral bonus offered as part of this program."

This means that if you decide not to receive emails from American Express, then no bonus Aeroplan miles for the referrer :( Personally, I like to get email notifications from them (or any credit card provider) for payment reminders, it's just easier to track of things that way.

30,000 Aeroplan Bonus

If you apply for their card through the Amex website directly, you will only get 20,000 Aeroplan miles as a bonus...So you are actually better off using this 30,000 Aeroplan points referral link if you sign up and get the full 30,000 bonus, instead of just 20,000 Aeroplan miles. The referrer gets the same bonus too, but any way you cut it free stuff is good in my books.

No Annual Fee for the First Year

If you were worried about annual card fees, you don't need to pay the first year’s annual fee (normally $120)...Just remember to cancel the card before the year rolls around and you've got yourself some free short-haul flights, just for signing up. Not bad.