Credit card order for maximising Avios as a beginner

[rv27]

Hi, I’ve read on a couple of articles that there is an optimum order for getting credit cards to maximise avios as a beginner who has not had any of these cards before. The only problem is, I cannot find anywhere that actually specifies this order despite using the search feature and google. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Second question: me and my partner would like to both take advantage of these offers. I technically have zero taxable income, as I gamble for a living. Is it possible to get any of these cards whilst technically having zero income? Or will we just have to take advantage of these cards via my partner only.

Thanks

[Rob]

See this article esp the bit at the end about starting from scratch – https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/09/18/what-amex-sign-up-bonuses-are-you-still-eligible-for-4/

This only covers Amex of course so you’re slotting Barclaycard products around these.

You’re not getting anywhere without a decent chunk of taxable income though so you’d be reliant on your partner.

[rv27]

Thanks. What would you advise in terms of the time between getting one card and applying for the next?

The dilemma that we find ourselves in is that we want to book a couple of big trips soon, hence it would make sense to have the platinum amex for example, as the trips we are going to book will help us hit the spend requirement for the welcome bonus – which is only boosted until the 14th Jan.

However, it seems that according the order on the guide you linked we would be advised to go for the nectar/amex Cashback first (Marriott card seems less appealing/applicable). Going straight for the platinum forfeits the opportunity to use the Nectar Amex welcome offer.

So my question would be:

If my partner applies and is accepted for one of the nectar/amex Cashback cards, and is accepted, will that affect the chances of being accepted for the platinum/gold amex rewards? How much time should be left before applying?

If it needs to be left for a little while / acceptance chances are reduced then we may just jump the gun and go straight for the platinum card and forfeit the nectar reward, in order to get the increased platinum bonus which ends in January, and because we will spend a decent chunk of the spend requirement in the near future. We probably wouldn’t meet the spend requirement for the bonus on the platinum card in a standard 6 month period.

[aq.1988]

Id say skip the Nectar/Marriott card, and apply for Plat while the enhanced bonus is on (ideally this year to make use of the £150 UK and £150 Global dining credits, and £50 HN), and then wait until there’s an enhanced bonus on BAPP (they are fairly regular now), to get one of those. You’ll only get 2 bonuses, compared to 3, but that should still be plenty of points!