Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

HfP ‘Credit Cards’ page updated for April 2017 – what are the best deals this month?

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UPDATE – APRIL 2024:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.  We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above.  Thank you.

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It’s time for our monthly round up of what is coming and what is going in the world of UK airline and hotel credit card sign-up deals.

Our updated directory of all 23 UK travel credit cards can be found by clicking the ‘Credit Cards’ tab at the top of the site or – for email, Flipboard, Apple News or mobile readers – by clicking here.  This article is a summary of the recent changes, and will hopefully be a useful starting point for new readers.

UK Rewards credit and charge cards

What’s changed this month?

The increased bonus on two Virgin Atlantic cards ends tomorrow.  More details on those below.

British Airways has brought back an improved sign-up bonus on the two British Airways American Express cards, just a month after the last offer ended.

There is a slight tweak this time.  The Premium Plus card is back to 25,000 Avios for signing up.  The free BA Amex, however, is only up to 5,000 Avios from the usual 3,000 Avios – this is usually increased to 9,000 Avios.

I would guess that Amex is trying to encourage more people to take the Premium Plus card by widening the gap in the sign-up bonus.  Frankly, you shouldn’t get the free BA Amex if you are planning to earn the 2-4-1 Avios flight voucher – this article explains why.

That’s about it …. except that there is a targetted bonus for holders of the old Barclaycard IHG Rewards Club credit cards if they apply for the new Creation-run version.  We don’t yet know if the offers works for non-targetted people who use the relevant link – once I have some evidence I will let you know.  The offer runs until June so there is no rush.


Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2024 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus card

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios card

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

15,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa

Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending.

Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card

1% cashback uncapped* on all your business spending (T&C apply) Read our full review

Comments (74)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Dave T says:

    Does anyone know if you are you still eligible for the Amex Plat bonus (35k referred) if you have or have had a Amex gold in the last 6 months?

    • Alan says:

      No, you need to either upgrade whilst hold Gold or wait six months after a/c closure before being eligible for Plat sign-up bonus.

    • Rob says:

      No you’re not.

  • Leo says:

    What’s the current view on applying for the Hilton Visa if you hold another barclaycard? I know there’s anecdotal evidence that the card may be pulled shortly – is it worth pulling the plug on a shelved barclaycard platinum to apply?

    • Mr Dee says:

      A friend who applied multiple times got declined whilst holding another barclaycard, then once it was cancelled applied again and got accepted for the Hilton card, as the barclaycard platinum offers little benefit I would cancel it if you can.

  • Jason says:

    OT anyone know any sensible miles options to Sochi, thanks in advance

  • Cameron says:

    Amex Gold – the two free annual Priority Pass entries that come with it – does anyone know if they’re still valid after you’ve cancelled the card? I’m guessing not (once the Amex is cancelled I can see the Priority Pass membership would have to go with it) but does anyone know?

    • Ro says:

      Yeah it will be cancelled. Also it’s Lounge Club not priority pass… slightly different network (but also lots of overlap)

    • Rob says:

      Cancelled immediately, because it no longer has a valid card to pay for additional guests behind it.

  • Bob says:

    A quick one,
    If I already have Small Business Gold card,
    and I apply for personal Gold card.
    Will I get 20.000 bonus?
    Cheers.

  • Suraj Verma says:

    Credit card application

  • Alex says:

    Does a supplementary card’s spend count towards the first £2/3k necessary to trigger the bonus?

  • Ed says:

    On the Hilton Visa – does the 6 month expiry on the free night start from when you get the card or when you hit the spend/receive the voucher? Currently planning a trip to Hong Kong in late October/early November and looking to take advantage of the offer.

    • Genghis says:

      When you hit the spend reqt and then receive the voucher

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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