Amex free card – where should I go from here?

[geeksy]

Hi,

I had an Amex platinum card (fee free for the first year). After the first year, I downgraded to basic card (3 years ago) and kept using it to collect points.

Is it advisable to transfer the existing points to Avios and apply for a different card? May be non-Amex
Or stay with Amex and collect points.

Thanks in advance

[Reney]

Can you give a bit more information on what are your points collecting goals? Do you want to redeem them on business flights, sainsbury, hotel rooms, which airline do you like using?

What is your annual spend? What % are at retailers that accept amex?

How do you feel about credit card fees, would you pay it if the benefits justify it? What kind of benefits would you think is worth while to you? Hotel status? Insurance? Lounge access?

Are you sure you had the Amex Platinum card and not the gold card, the former is not usually free for the first year.

[geeksy]

Hi,

Thanks for the response.
You are right, it was gold card. Apologies.
Aim is to redeeem for BA flights
Annual spend of around 10k. Currently have 40k points
I am not sure if paying fee would be beneficial as this is purely for collecting points. I don’t use any benefits such as hotels or lounge access

Thanks,

[Harrier25]

Sounds like you’d be better off with one of the 2 Amex BA cards. https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/credit-cards/card-types/avios-credit-cards/

[SteveJ]

If Avios is the only goal then the BA Amex and Barclaycard Avios card are the ones you should be looking at. If not had a BA Amex before or not currently holding a Barclaycard you’ve got some nice sign up bonuses you can earn on the paid version of both cards.

[geeksy]

Thanks all, will look at Barclays as Amex is not accepted by all merchants.

[AJA]

Do you have a partner? If you do then the Amex BA Premium Plus card is worth looking at if you spend £10k as you get the companion voucher valid for 2 years It does have a £250 fee though. The free BA Amex card also has a companion voucher but only if you spend £12k and it is only valid in economy.

Otherwise the Barclaycard Avios card is worth looking at, I’m not convinced of the merits of the paid version.

[Reney]

There are many options combination. Like others have said you would qualify for the BAPP bonus (you don’t qualify for the bonus for the free card so be careful) and the Barclays bonus for the free and premium card. Given for both the premium versions you can downgrade as soon as you hit the bonus, you wouldn’t be paying the whole year’s worth of fee so worth considering paying it for the sign up bonus.

If your spending is 10k per year, at most you will earn 15k of points per year via normal card spend, it will take a long time to collect enough points so sign up bonus should be at least considered as part of your strategy (of course ok to rule out as you are paying for them) if you want to fly in higher cabins.

If you are considering the Barclays card you should consider cancelling the amex and resetting the 24 months clock to qualify for future sign up bonus but of course will miss out on amex offers – so weight the consequence.

[geeksy]

Hi,

I am back here after an year. In this time, I kept hold of the free Amex (not sure why I didn’t cancel) but got a Amex BAPP card with 60k sign up bonus and also now got the companion voucher. I have read it is safe to cancel the BAPP card even though T&C’s state otherwise. But I am worried in case the rules have changed, so tempted to cancel the Amex rewards card, downgrade the BAPP card to free card.
My partner never had an Amex card, so will look at getting her one when a good sign up bonus come and combine the Avios together. Currently have 140k so will need more I think.

I hope this is fine, thoughts and advise is hugely appreciated.

Thanks,