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I was thinking about getting the free American Express card:
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/credit-cards/ba-credit-card/Here’s our situation:
We have a credit card that doesn’t get us anything.
We’re planning a holiday in a few years time.
I’d get a card and then invite my wife for the bonus.
We’d spend at supermarkets, Amazon, ebay, probably a handful of other places.
We’re not regular fliers.
We’re only interested in money off flights, not lounge access or hotel stays.The draw for us is fee-free as the points will be spent in a few years rather than regularly every year. Therefore the next card up: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/credit-cards/ba-premium-plus-credit-card/
I don’t think it’s worth the £250 a year (for 4-6 years). Plus, we wouldn’t spend £3000 in three months. The £1000 in the first three months we could do with the fee-free card.Even if we only net 20,000 points at the end of the 4-6 years, at least that would be some money off flights rather than a big fat nothing?
Does this card fit our needs?
To be honest, I think you’re better off with this:
https://www.headforpoints.com/hfp/american-express-gold-credit-card-10000-points/
Reviewed here: https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/04/02/review-american-express-rewards-credit-card-4/
Let me explain why. This card (since you won’t spend enough to trigger the 241 voucher) does everything that the free BA card can do – and a lot more.
It earns 1 Amex point per £1 which converts to 1 Avios per £1 (same as the free BA card) BUT can also be converted into huge amounts of other stuff – other travel rewards programmes, High Street gift vouchers, etc etc.
In your scenario there is zero benefit in collecting 1 Avios per £1 when you could have a card which gets you 1 Avios per £1 IF YOU CHOOSE TO CONVERT INTO IT at some future point BUT gives you a lot more flexibility if you change your mind.
If you really, really want an Avios card, get the free Barclaycard instead of the Amex – https://www.headforpoints.com/hfp/barclaycard-avios-articles/
Same earn rate (1 per £1) but you can use it at more places because its a Mastercard and not an Amex.
Hey, thanks for coming back to me and taking the time to explain your recommendation.
I think, even if we only get a few hundred pounds off flights (as you say, if we choose) then that’s better than nothing.
I’ll take a look at the card you recommend and probably just grab that 🙂
Hi Rob, what option is best for ‘upgrading’ from blue avios Amex? Is it worth going to the BAPP with no bonus or staying with the blue? It is unlikely that we will benefit from business class (with kids) etc.. Basically, I still want the companion voucher but is it worth the 250 fee for a better rate on pounds to avios? thank you
To be honest, I think you’re better off with this:
https://www.headforpoints.com/hfp/american-express-gold-credit-card-10000-points/
Reviewed here: https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/04/02/review-american-express-rewards-credit-card-4/
Let me explain why. This card (since you won’t spend enough to trigger the 241 voucher) does everything that the free BA card can do – and a lot more.
It earns 1 Amex point per £1 which converts to 1 Avios per £1 (same as the free BA card) BUT can also be converted into huge amounts of other stuff – other travel rewards programmes, High Street gift vouchers, etc etc.
In your scenario there is zero benefit in collecting 1 Avios per £1 when you could have a card which gets you 1 Avios per £1 IF YOU CHOOSE TO CONVERT INTO IT at some future point BUT gives you a lot more flexibility if you change your mind.
If you really, really want an Avios card, get the free Barclaycard instead of the Amex – https://www.headforpoints.com/hfp/barclaycard-avios-articles/
Same earn rate (1 per £1) but you can use it at more places because its a Mastercard and not an Amex.
Hi Rob, what option is best for ‘upgrading’ from blue avios Amex? Is it worth going to the BAPP with no bonus or staying with the blue? It is unlikely that we will benefit from business class (with kids) etc.. Basically, I still want the companion voucher but is it worth the 250 fee for a better rate on pounds to avios? thank you
Best bet is take Rob’s advice and get the Barclays basic card. youll get an upgrade voucher when you spend 20k in a year. which is essentially a companion voucher.
Well, it’s a one-way companion voucher. Good but not excellent like the 241.
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