Am I missing something? Amex Platinum for Avios

[Ahadrx7]

Hello,

Tried searching the forums and generally goggling but haven’t found anyone asking this question (Forgive me if I didn’t do a very good job searching)

I’m switching over from BA Amex to Platinum because I’ve maxed out spend on the companion voucher.

On platinum, I know there’s all these great cash/voucher benefits but from a points perspective I go from 1.5 avios per £1 spend to 1 to 1.

Is that not a big downside for those here who try to maximise Avios for travel?

Purely from an airtravel standpoint, does platinum still make sense? I might be oversimplifying which is why I thought I’d ask the question. Thanks.

[stevenhp1987]

People who hold a Platinum Card tend to do so more for the benefits the card holds or to get MR rather than Avios as these can be transferred out to other providers. The later can be earned through other cards though for cheaper. Some will spend on another card, e.g. the BAPP.

I would keep spending on the BAPP rather than get the Platinum in your situation unless you have a generous sign up bonus or want to make use of the perks that come with the card or will use the points for a scheme that is not Avios.

[Ahadrx7]

Thanks Steven.

Yeah think you’re right. Struggling with this because I use the companion voucher to do one big trip every year with the family and that helps – Might be putting myself at a disadvantage by switching to Platinum on that basis.

[phantomchickenz]

I couldn’t get Platinum to stack up for a number of years, until I knew I was going to be travelling quite a bit. Then the lounge passes, insurance, hotel status etc made it worthwhile. I was also travelling down under, where the companion voucher doesn’t hold much value (cw Qatar), so BAPP wasn’t hugely attractive for me. Finally I was somewhat hedging by collecting MR rather than Avios, in case a good use of Virgin points opened up.

In terms of pure Avios earning, you are of course correct – 1.5/£ is better than 1/£