Can I app for a new Amex with a friends referral link

[SDMarik]

I am about to app for the Delta Sky Miles Reserve. It will be my 5th Amex, 3rd revolver (one of which is BBP)

I was curious to see if he can send me a referral link so I can hit him with some points.

When logged into my Amex account normally, when I click on "apply" it brings me to the "SDMarik, you're pre-approved! Get a decision in as little as 30 seconds" page. However when I use his link, log in, and click apply it says "Get a decision in as little as 30 seconds".

Should I take it to mean this won't work? I would rather not do something Amex consideres untoward, but if I can hook a buddy up with some points that would be cool.

[OmarGB9]

Not sure why the difference in pre-approval results, but I don't see why there'd be anything wrong with using a referral link. I mean they advertise it all the time.

[coldfusion]

There's absolutely no problem with using a referral link, as long as you aren't self-referring.   Nowadays doing that gets the attention of their rewards abuse people and you're exremely lucky if you don't end up getting your points clawed back and accounts closed.

If you're in 2-player mode it is OK if you refer your SO.