oneworld elites now able to use Heathrow FastTrack security
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The shuffling of benefits for airline elite members goes on.
Last month we reported how British Airways was now letting its Bronze tier member use Priority Boarding – a decision which may or may not prove to be sensible in the medium term. It has also tightened up the baggage rules for Gold and Silver members.
The latest tweak involves the use of the FastTrack security lanes at Heathrow.
As of last week, Fast Track security at Heathrow is available to ANY oneworld Emerald or Sapphire member if they are travelling on a British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines flight.
I was wondering whether those people who get a free Cathay Pacific Gold card via American Express Platinum now have the same benefits as a BA Silver card holder? I think they do.
Historically, there were two things that a Cathay Gold couldn’t get with BA that a BA Silver could :
Extra baggage allowance, and
Fast Track security access
The ‘extra baggage allowance’ issue was fixed back in January, when ‘additional baggage’ became a guaranteed oneworld benefit across all member airlines at the Sapphire level (BA Silver = oneworld Sapphire = Cathay Gold).
The ‘fast track’ issue has now been fixed as well, as of last week. More details can be found in this Australian article here – I can’t find a oneworld release anywhere.
All of the other BA Silver benefits (business class check-in, lounge access, free seat selection) have always been available to Cathay Gold holders.
Yet another reason, then, to feel confident that you can gain status in a different oneworld airline apart from BA and not miss out on anything when flying with them ….
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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (July 2025)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous 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.
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There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card
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British Airways American Express Credit Card
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You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
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The Platinum Card from American Express
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There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:
British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card
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There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
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The American Express Business Gold Card
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Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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