What are the best credit card deals for February 2014?
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UPDATE – APRIL 2025: This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.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 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.
Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.
I have updated the ‘Credit Card Offers‘ page at the top of the site for February.
The big event during January was the launch of the temporary sign-up bonus on the Virgin Flying Club credit cards. At 10,000 miles for the free card and 25,000 miles for the £140 fee paid card, these are the highest bonuses that I have ever seen.
I ran through the Flying Club bonuses in this article. Remember, if you need more Virgin miles, that Tesco Clubcard is also offering a 30% bonus on transfers to Flying Club at the moment.
The other changes during January were:
MBNA removed the 1,500 mile sign-up bonus on the Miles & More credit card! 1,500 miles was hardly anything to get excited about, but the decision to remove it entirely still seems a little odd.
The 20,000 point sign-up bonus on the Starwood American Express card ended. This is now back at 10,000 points which converts to 10,000 airline miles.
Finally, remember that we are now into the final few weeks of being able to claim a FREE Cathay Pacific Gold card when you apply for American Express Platinum.This gives almost all of the benefits of British Airways Silver status, including BA lounge access.
Here is my advice on the best cards currently available if you are thinking of ‘churning’ the contents of your wallet:
What are the best loyalty credit cards currently available?
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
This is currently an outstanding deal, which is showing no signs of going away. No fee for the first year and 20,000 Membership Rewards points.
My full review of the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is here. The Amex home page is here.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club American Express and Visa
It is rare that you see an offer on the Virgin cards – the last one was 18 months ago. This is the best offer ever seen on these cards – 25,000 Virgin miles with the £140 ‘Black’ card and 10,000 Virgin miles with the free ‘White’ card.
Note that you CANNOT cancel the £140 paid card and receive a refund of your annual fee.
You can find full details on the Virgin credit cards bonus in this post.
American Express Platinum
The card now offers 30,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 30,000 Avios amongst other things.
There is a lower bonus of 30,000 points if you apply directly. You receive a pro-rata refund on the £450 fee when you cancel the card and you will retain most of the benefits – Starwood Gold, Carlson Gold, Accor Platinum, Cathay Pacific Gold (= BA Silver) – for the rest of the year even after you cancel!
The key benefit of this card – the Cathay Pacific Gold card, which gets you the same benefits as a BA Silver card, including BA lounge access, is going away on March 31st. You need to have received your Platinum card by that date.
My full review of the American Express Platinum card is here. Amex’s own home page is here.
Hilton HHonors Platinum Visa
You receive a free night in any Hilton Group property for spending £750 on this card. That could be worth £250 if spent wisely at a Conrad or Waldorf-Astoria branded property. My full review of the card is here. The home page is here.
This remains my favourite promotion for someone new to this hobby. The card is free, you only need to spend a modest amount to trigger the bonus, and you can enjoy a free night in a luxury hotel afterwards (if you pick a decent one!). It will whet your appetite for what miles and points can bring you.
British Airways American Express
The sign-up bonus on this free card is increased from 3,000 Avios to 9,000 Avios until May.
Full details are in my review here. The Amex home page for the card is here.
British Airways Premium Plus American Express
The sign-up bonus on this card is increased from 18,000 Avios to 25,000 Avios until May.
Full details are in my review here. The Amex home page for the card is here.
Full details on all of these cards, including links to the application forms, are on the ‘Credit Card Offers’ page.
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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 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 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:

American Express Business Platinum
50,000 points when you sign-up 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 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
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