Newbie (1YR)

[chrisriley7961@gmail.com]

Hi ,
as title im new and a dinasaur

Currently i have the BA Blue card as does my daughter (supplementary) im looking to upgrade to Gold , but will not qualify for the bonus as im already a primary Amex card holder.

Can my daughter as a supplementary holder apply for the Gold card to qualify for the bonus points on offer if accepted, she is a student with no income , if accepted would she then become the primary Gold member and not myself?

If my daughter is declined would this go against her for further potential card applications?

Or do i apply myself for Gold and just miss the Points?

Regards
Chris R

[hank1967]

You are correct that you are ineligible for the sign-up bonus on the Gold Card.

Your daughter, assuming she has no other Amex cards other than the supplementary on your free BA card IS eligible for the sign-up bonus.

I assume you know this but it’s not clear from your post: You only become a supplementary on your daughter’s Gold Card if she adds you. The fact she is a supplementary cardholder on your BA card does not mean you automatically become one on hers.

I’m unsure about any decline meaning your daughter would be less likely to be accepted by Amex in future. Technically, any decline will temporarily damage your credit score. But I’m not sure if Amex uses the data point of previous failed applications in its own scoring.

In my experience, Amex is far less likely to decline a new applicant relative to most other credit cards. It’s strange that public perception is exactly the opposite.

[hank1967]

I completely missed the fact your daughter is a student.

Someone here will chime in with experience. I have none. I was in my 30s before I got my first Amex card although I did have a credit card in my name as a student – got from Barclaycard at Fresher’s Week. As a fellow dinosaur now, it seems completely illogical to give a student with no income a credit card in their own name but perhaps Amex do this, too. As i said I don’t know, but it’s definitely an important point and you should find out first before potentially applying.

Btw if it is sign-up bonuses you are after. You can still – im pretty sure – get the sign=up bonus on the Nectar Amex card. The bonus is in Nectar points but these can be spent in Sainsbury’s, Argos and Ebay so quite easy to spend on things you’d be buying anyway.

[degsy]

My son is a 2nd year student and currently has 3 Amex cards of various hues (nice little earner for me referring him). He does, though, have a low paid part-time job which I’m sure helped.
Amex has an eligibility tool (it’s a quick Google search for the UK one), which I’ve found does give a good indication of likelihood of success.

[NorthernLass]

Is the minimum age for an Amex 18?
I think I read that if the student is officially living at their parents’ address, they can cite parental income on the application form (under “other household income”) which might improve their chances of being accepted.

[degsy]

NorthernLass wrote:

Is the minimum age for an Amex 18?
I think I read that if the student is officially living at their parents’ address, they can cite parental income on the application form (under “other household income”) which might improve their chances of being accepted.

Yep 18 NL although the eligibility tool only really was favourable when he was 18 1/2.
And yeah, all his applications have been here at our address (tbh, given he’s never more at any one of his student digs in Withington/Fallowfield for 9 months that seems appropriate. And yep, I have included our income on the app form.

[chrisriley7961@gmail.com]

Many thanks for the informative replies 👍

[Amy C]

I thought BA ones didn’t count? I have a BAPP and applied for the Plat in June and got the bonus.

[Reney]

@Amy – the original poster does appear to qualify for the Plat card, but he seems to want the Gold one which he won’t qualify re sign up bonus.

[lordy]

If you have a chance have a look at the platinum especially for the first 6 months, something you are eligible for a SUB (current 65k + £200 travel credit) also the other benefits probably outweigh the £50 a month fee (well £575 annual and pro rotad back)

I can’t comment about your daughter too much, but as above think she can cite your income in the household income bit and checking eligibility first wont hurt her credit file. I know people who have had 1/10 chance of getting a card get one FYI.
As a new new customer she could technically start with the Nectar one and do the below, if you were to get a platinum you’d be able to refer her to cards (based on your own card) and get between 12k and 24k (there are often boosts)
https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/07/02/earn-186875-avios-from-american-express/

Let me know if you want a referral link

Good luck