News: BA CityFlyer trialling Aberdeen flights from London City, HSBC Jade closed
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News in brief:
BA CityFlyer to trial flights to Aberdeen
Whilst BA CityFlyer has suspended flights from London City Airport to Menorca and Milan, it appears to be improving domestic connectivity.
BA CityFlyer is adding new daily direct flights between London City Airport and Aberdeen.
Flight timings vary but are optimised for Scottish travellers heading to London, with morning flights down to London and an evening return back to Aberdeen.
The flight numbers are BA2210 and BA2211 and the route is scheduled to start on 1st November.
You can book tickets on the British Airways website here. The last day you can travel is currently 21st January, which implies that this is very much a trial.
If you are trying the route, our review of the British Airways lounge at Aberdeen Airport is here. Our review of the independent, and superior, Northern Lights lounge at Aberdeen Airport is here.
HSBC Jade closed to new applicants
One way of avoiding the £195 annual fee on the HSBC Premier World Elite credit card – which is a very good card in all other respects apart from the fee (review here) – is by having HSBC Jade status.
‘Jade’ is a marketing status given to anyone who holds £1 million in assets with HSBC. Whilst it is unlikely that HSBC’s savings rates or investment fees would make you want to leave £1 million with them, it is fairly common to use HSBC to hold large foreign currency balances.
If you are sitting on a lot of Euro or US$ there are surprisingly few UK banks willing to hold them and it is unlikely you would entrust a subtantial sum to a fintech / neo-bank.
HSBC Jade was suspended to new applicants on 16th September – see here. What is odd is that existing Jade account holders have not been notified about this, and HSBC’s website confirms that the service (such as it is) continues for those who already hold it.
This could actually be a positive move, if HSBC takes the opportunity to overhaul the benefits package.
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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
