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I think at the next sign up bonus uplift for Platinium if pro rata refund is still possible, the maths may work for you. So hold your horses and see.
Since you are happy to travel in economy to Europe the sign up bonus would be quite a few flights, you can make use of the lounge and the dining credit too.
Per an earlier comment, it might be worth considering one of you to take an Amex break, and go for the Barclays card in the meantime. The voucher would get an upgrade to PE/club for one way for the two of you (at max avios thou). Not as much savings as a 241 economy version, but would give a taster for club world and also an opportunity to sign up for a number of amex bonus in the future.
By the way there hasn’t been a bonus for BAPP and Plat for a little bit. Neither of you qualify for the BAPP sign up bonus so you can apply whenever. Others can tell you if you can apply for a BAPP whilst holding the free one – if yes then it might be worth it to get some extra points by referring whoever upgrades. (don’t cancel and apply in case you don’t don’t get approve) I would wait for Plat bonus uplift before applying.
I’m having a similar dilemma. I have around 300k Avios and a free BA card plus Barclays one. I am planning to retire next year and upgrade BA card to hopefully trigger 241. The new spend limit will be a challenge though as I normally spend around £12kpa on a card. This year I triggered the 7k Avios bonus on Barclays due to a one off car payment – they would not take Amex. What to do? Can BA card and hope for sign up bonus in 2 years if I qualify for income criteria. I expect to be over £40kpa pension but not sure how AMEX treat retirees. Or should I blow the lot on a Qater redemption? I had been hoping to use them for a 241 redemption on Iberia to S America. These new AMEX requirements have blown a hole in my plans! Could be bye bye BA and Oneworld and enjoy other airlines on cheap cash fares rather than play the Avios game anymore.
@MGOR, Just get BAPP before retirement, and try to put more on the card like council tax or supp cards. There is a lot of advice on it here. The voucher lasts 2 years, so you can enjoy your pot without rush.
There is a big discussion on this forum on how Amex treats pensioners. One thing we learn from that debate is that it is inconclusive. We have anecdotal evidence for both cases, I’d not stress about it at all.@MGOR – just my experience. I applied for the BAPP and put retired as my main occupation (and source of income), and was rejected. I waited the required 90 days (and also cancelled my gold card as I didn’t like the tweaked benefit structure), then applied putting “tutor” (from which I earn a teeny amount to supplement my pension), and was accepted! Obviously, my date of birth didn’t change so who knows how Amex thinks?! I’m in my early 50s so hopefully a good few years ahead of me, working or not.
Thanks everyone – we’ve not got a co op locally which I can get to. I have tried to pay with my Amex but they struggled to accept anything over £200 and it became a faff. Food for thought about stick or twist. I had not realised there was a thread about retirement so will scout that out.
I don’t think it’s a specific retirement thread, though it might be worth starting one given the demographic here! Have a look at any which start “Rejected by Amex” or similar.
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