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HfP ‘Credit Cards’ page updated for September 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UPDATE – APRIL 2024:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.

It is 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 22 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?

Not much!

I was expecting to see a run of new promotions for the ‘back to school’ season ….. but nothing.

A few offers ended during August:

The bonus on the American Airlines card dropped back to 5,000 miles from 15,000 miles

The extra 5,000 Avios or other miles bonus on the HSBC Premier cards ended

The £50 Tesco gift card offer with the Tesco Premium card ended

….. but nothing has taken their place.

The refer-a-friend bonus on the Lloyds Avios Rewards credit card has also been dropped.

British Airways is still running an improved sign-up bonus on its two British Airways American Express cards.  No closing date has been given for this deal.

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.

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:

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

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

Category

American Express Gold card, American Express Platinum card, British Airways American Express, IHG One Rewards, Tesco Clubcard

Comments (46)

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

  • Rob says:
    9 Sep9 September 12:44

    O/T – I just cancelled my BA PP credit card as the 241 voucher is on my BA Exec account and we’d like to now focus on other credit cards with our spend. The Amex rep insisted that we would no longer be able to use the voucher if the account is cancelled and suggested taking the free card to keep the voucher valid. I had understood from previous comments here that the voucher does remain valid and the only thing is that you must use an American Express card to pay the taxes when you redeem the voucher.

    Having now looked at the T&Cs for the voucher, it states “The Member is responsible for paying any Taxes, Fees & Charges relating to their Companion Voucher booking. All Taxes, Fees & Charges must be paid for using the Member’s British Airways American Express Credit Card.”, which supports what the Amex representative stated.

    Could anyone tell me whether there has been a recent change to the rules which will mean that I have lost my voucher or whether the voucher can still be used without a BA Amex card in my own name?

    • Genghis says:
      9 Sep9 September 12:48

      No change in rules. They’ve always been like that. But as with many things in this game, what the rules say and what can be done are not always aligned.

    • Clive says:
      9 Sep9 September 13:05

      If you are feeling a bit nervous about the voucher, there’s nothing to stop you switching to the free BA card and then cancelling once you have made the booking using the voucher.

  • George says:
    9 Sep9 September 13:13

    Slightly OT – anyone heard anything about the fate of the Lloyds Rewards card? Anyone know if they fixed their Avios depositing problem? I got a few thousand when I complained but haven’t had a single one since.

    • Polly says:
      9 Sep9 September 14:35

      No not fixed.. keep complaining but also insist on good will cash gesture too to make up for your time and inconvenience. Totally useless l T dept…

  • Crafty says:
    10 Sep10 September 18:07

    I often receive both. Worth a try.

  • Dave says:
    12 Sep12 September 10:17

    Does anybody have info about churning cards? I currently have black Virgin Atlantic and Gold AMEX, but thinking of cancelling them soon to avoid the annual fees. Ive got on quite well with both and wondering whether I’ll get the bonuses again if I leave it long enough?

    • johnny_c-l says:
      12 Sep12 September 10:26

      You need to leave 6 months for the Gold Amex, but you could apply again for the VA next month and qualify for the bonus.

    • Rob says:
      12 Sep12 September 11:10

      Virgin seen happy with it now but no stated period. Gold is 6 months with no MR cards.

      • Dave says:
        22 Sep22 September 12:03

        Thanks Rob. What’s MR?

        Thinking about getting the AMEX credit card that offers 10,000 points for £1k spend in three months. No annual fee. Looks pretty good but can’t see anything about it on HFP?

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