News: Border Force strike suspended, new targetted BA American Express spend offer

News in brief:

Border Force strike action this week suspended

The threatend strike by Border Force officers at Heathrow this week has been suspended. The Public and Commercial Services Union has agreed to further talks with the Home Office.

Over 600 Border Force officials were planning to strike from 11th to 14th April.

Further talks on a proposed new rostering system will now take place. The union was concerned that staff with disabilities or caring responsibilities would be forced to quit their jobs over a lack of flexibility.

New British Airways American Express spend offer launched

A new spend offer has appeared on British Airways American Express Premium Plus cards.

My wife and I both have this although it is unclear how widespread it is. If it makes a difference, both of our cards have already triggered their 2-4-1 companion vouchers for the year and the cards are seeing little use.

We are offered 1,000 bonus Avios for spending £2,500+ on the card by 5th July. This can be done twice.

There is one snag. There is an implication that the £2,500 must be done in one transaction. There is no mention of cumulative spend and the wording of ‘spend £2,500 or more up to two times’ also implies that it must be £2,500 in one shot.

I find it hard to believe that Amex is actually offering you a promo where you need to spend £2,500 in one go, but it isn’t clear.

You need to opt in to this offer, if you have it, via the ‘Offers’ tab of the Amex app or website.

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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