I spend an evening at Berry Bros courtesy of American Express Platinum

When American Express relaunched its Platinum Card earlier this year, there was a page in the glossy brochure they sent out about the range of exciting free events they organise for cardmembers. 

This came as a huge surprise to me (who has had a Platinum card since 1998) and other Plats I spoke with, since we had never been invited to anything of consequence.

I was obviously not alone in having this view, since Amex has suddenly pulled its finger out.  It is laying on more events for cardmembers in the next 3 months than I have seen in the last decade.

The first one was three weeks ago, when about 100 of us visited the historic cellars of famous London wine merchant Berry Brothers in St James’s.  A very pleasant evening was had by all, starting with a champagne reception and moving on to canapes and a tasting of a selection of Berry’s own brand wines and a (very) soft sell for their monthly ‘cellar plan’ subscription scheme.

(The most interesting aspect of all, though, is that of the 100 other people present, I knew 4 of them from various Flyertalk events!  The appeal of Amex Platinum to the hard core flyer is strong.)

You need to jump on these events quickly if Amex emails you about them.  Places, especially for free events, will disappear within an hour or so of the emails going out.  Details of events for Platinum cardholders can be found at americanexpress.co.uk/platinum as well.  For clarity, I got my place by ringing up just like everybody else!

Remember that American Express still offers excellent sign-up bonuses for both its Platinum and Gold cards, and that both currently feature in my top bonuses list on the Credit Card Offers page of the site.

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – March 2025 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 Mastercard

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

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 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 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to 120,000 points. You receive 80,000 points when you spend £12,000 within three months and a further 40,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 60,000 points. You receive 40,000 points when you spend £6,000 within three months and a further 20,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

American Express Business Platinum

Up to 120,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

Up to 60,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

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