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Hi all. I’m not having a dig at anyone, just genuinely wanting to know if there are benefits and peoples thoughts to downgrading from Amex BAPP Black to Blue?
I have the black card, about to trigger my 2-4-1, I’ve always immediately cancelled so 2 years later I can take the card out again. I understand if you downgrade to Blue if you still need to collect Avios to use the voucher, in my case I use the Barclaycard. Perhaps not making a dent in credit scores is another reason to retain the blue?
Welcome thoughts, views and opinions on this
I wouldn’t. I’d just keep the BAPP. I think Amex is tightening up on who it will allow to have their products and there’s no guarantee that you’d be accepted if you cancel the card and reapply in 2 years.
I also treat the annual fee as a sunk cost especially with the knowledge that at some point you won’t be able to get a refund.
With that in mind why would you swap to a card that earns fewer Avios?
Also I value earning a voucher every year higher than potentially being eligible for a SUB in 2 years time. And swapping to the free card automatically rules you out for earning a SUB anyway.
In the past I downloaded from black to blue, once I had earned voucher and booked trip. I wanted to remain “eligible” to use the voucher but had no plans to book another 2-4-1. I certainly wouldn’t want to upgrade it again without a SUB or to try and cheat the system (ie spending £9k on free card then upgrading for a month) Cancelled it after far too long holding it with no real strategy in place.
However, the situation now is that my wife has the black card and we are planning for it to be a keeper! We’ve earned one voucher for a potential couples holiday and plan to earn 2 more by 2027. I’m hoping to come along behind, pick up a card and earn a third voucher then make 2 bookings with a total of 6 passengers. Albeit, quite aware that I can’t take being accepted for granted.
So, there are a couple of reasons why people might downgrade and not cancel, especially if they don’t plan many trips where a companion voucher would be useful. I wouldn’t keep the black card for the increased earn rate alone, I’d be better off with the gold card.
The voucher terms also state that you need to be a member of the ‘program’. This can be interpreted in many ways, but the safest is holding atleast the free BA avios Amex card. When they start enforcing the term and you have neither of the BA Amex cards, you don’t want to regret the choice you made.
I took the 70k and 241 with glee from basic then downgraded after a month or two. After 3 months I regretted having done so and upgraded back to BAPP. Too valuable to mess around. I see it as a £100 card cost myself with the 15k Avios needed to trigger 241. The MR cards I play the game with mind you.
Someone else on here mentioned after downgrading and trying to upgrade were told specifically they would not be allowed to for a second time.
Horses for courses.
The voucher terms also state that you need to be a member of the ‘program’. This can be interpreted in many ways, but the safest is holding atleast the free BA avios Amex card. When they start enforcing the term and you have neither of the BA Amex cards, you don’t want to regret the choice you made.
This is the correct answer.
You find yourself using the voucher on economy seats given there’s times where this offers decent value.
I might in a couple of year’s time.
I think the Gold card is the best points earning card in Amex’s stable; I hold the BAPP just now because of a sign up bonus and because I’m looking to accumulate Avios and a voucher to redeem for honeymoon flights in a couple of years. Beyond that, I’m not sure the card is the best one for me, because I don’t think I’ll earn enough Avios on a yearly basis to make the card worthwhile, and earning Amex points probably suits more in terms of versatility.
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