BA BAPP downgrade: optimal strategy?

[adeimantus]

Hi all,

Got the Amex BAPP during the promotional period (40k avios SUB for £3k spend). Hit the spend in about 2 months and thinking of downgrading now. Thinking of what the optimal strategy for this is:

– Annoyingly, the final pieces of spend ‘processed’ today and so did the 40k Avios. My “monthly sweep” is today too, so now I guess the Avios are stuck in the account until this time next month.

– Based off reading here, it seems like moving your statement date moves the sweep date. If I called up and asked them to push my statement date 5 days forward, is it likely I’d have a new fresh Avios sweep in 5 days? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1840393-transferring-avios-amex-baec.html, bottom post)

– Does the full Avios balance on AmEx remain even if you downgrade? I.e. if i downgraded today, would the 40k still sweep on the 14th May? Does AmEx try and claw back the points if you try and downgrade (I know they do if you cancel, not sure about a downgrade though).

Appreciate any insights!

[alig4th]

My brother just did this. Did it on chat (despite the first chat agent a couple of weeks ago saying he had to call and couldn’t do it on chat (which turned out to be incorrect). Asked specifically and was told that points balance and sweep date would remain.

Also, was confirmed that the 3,000 Avios additional card bonus on the BAPP card which has still yet to post (90 days will be up in 2 days) is definitely earned while he held the BAPP card and will be posted to his new BA Basic Avios account in full, to be swept over next time.

My advice, do it in chat, ask the question, get a reference from the agent, note the date, and if nothing happens like it was agreed then you’ve got it in writing what was promised and can push for that to happen as promised / escalate if needed.

[Grant]

Aren’t you going to hold on until you’ve spent £10k to get the voucher?

[adeimantus]

Awesome thanks alig4th, appreciate it, and confirming the information on points staying & sweep date remaining constant.

Grant, was considering doing that (I could probably hit the spend threshold for that by the summer) but I’m just not sure how much use it would be to me at the moment (single traveller).

Thinking of applying for the new Barclays Premier Account + Credit Card to have two upgrade vouchers I can use by myself for solo trips.

Thanks again both for help, much appreciated.

[alig4th]

adeimantus wrote:

Awesome thanks alig4th, appreciate it, and confirming the information on points staying & sweep date remaining constant.

You’re welcome, although I would stress that this is what he was told/happened. With Amex’s IT quirks, conflicting levels of knowledge of some of the CS agents, and different people getting told different things at different times, I’d still suggest a direct text-recorded chat with a rep yourself so you’ve got some comeback if it doesn’t happen like you’re told