About to spend on flights – 3 card options!

[tygerbright]

Hi all

I’m about to drop approx 5k in flights for a family holiday comprising London to Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines) and Phuket to London (Thai Airlines).

Weighing up my options and unsure on best strategy. Normally I use a fee-free credit card for international flights but this time round I’m looking to cancel my BAPP as soon as I trigger the voucher (my wife has a separate BAPP in her own name). I need 3k spend to hit that and it’s raised the idea to spend on the Amex instead.

1) BAPP (card year started Oct ’23)
– 3% international fees = approx £150 cost
– 1.5 avios per £1 spent = 7,500 avios earned
– pro-rata refund on BAAP cancellation = approx £150 back

2) Expedia with BAPP
– will cost about £45 quid more than paying direct
– TCB 1% = £50 cashback
– 1.5 avios per £1 spent = 7,500 avios earned
– pro-rata refund on BAAP cancellation = approx £150 back

3) Chase Debit 1% cashback
– £50 cashback

I also have an MBNA Horizon with 0.5% cashback and no fees but the other options seem to be better.

Expedia route seems best as the total is less than fees incurred with BAPP direct … but any concerns/benefits with Expedia vs direct airline bookings? Thoughts appreciated!

[RK228]

In almost all cases, I would book directly with the airline using a credit card. You need to weigh up risks/benefits for yourself though.

It might be best to use a credit card with no fx fees in this case if not paying in GBP unless you need this spend to trigger a SUB or voucher on the BAPP, which might change the maths.

[tygerbright]

Thanks RK228 – yeah most likely will go direct with Airlines and use my Horizon card for a bit of cashback

[blueghostuk]

Chase is limited to £15/month

[chungcyk]

Have you checked Amex travel? Possibly a good option!
Generally I find prices competitive, and may be a get around the FX fees.

And for whatever reason you need to chargeback or something, it may possibly be easier…

[tygerbright]

Yeah – forgot about the Chase limit.

Amex Travel – not so great for me – They don’t offer Vietnam Airlines outbound.

[marshy11]

Halifax Clarity is where we put most of our non UK spend. They do cashback offers. I would never book with a third party (even one like Expedia) as I want control of what I have booked.

That said, with Amex Plat we will swallow the FX fees IF it suits.

We only generate the 2-4-1 on the BAPP when it suits us. If that fits you then trigger it, but don’t do it unless it does.