Im a wally for getting American Express
Discussion
Hi all
Two of my co workers kept banging on about how amazing their BA Amex card is and how they have been able to buy a first class air ticket with just the points.
Eventually I caved im and got myself an Amex card. Apart from the stupidly high membership rate for whats usually free what do you do with the points?
My friend tells me to pay for everything with the card and soon It will pay for its self and more..... Must say im having regrets.
Maybe Im a wally but its not very clear how you can use the points?
All advice is appreciated and many thanks in advance.
Two of my co workers kept banging on about how amazing their BA Amex card is and how they have been able to buy a first class air ticket with just the points.
Eventually I caved im and got myself an Amex card. Apart from the stupidly high membership rate for whats usually free what do you do with the points?
My friend tells me to pay for everything with the card and soon It will pay for its self and more..... Must say im having regrets.
Maybe Im a wally but its not very clear how you can use the points?
All advice is appreciated and many thanks in advance.
deckster said:
Just wait until you find out how much tax you have pay on your 'free' first class ticket.
Well its a pittance vs what first would normally cost. But yes, if you only ever fly economy then you might be in for a slight surprise.I've got the BA Premium one, and its alright, but you need to either fly on very well served routes with biz class, Dubai/NY etc or be VERY on the ball with planning when they release flights 355 days in advance of the date you want.
Strong Horse said:
Hi all
Two of my co workers kept banging on about how amazing their BA Amex card is and how they have been able to buy a first class air ticket with just the points.
Eventually I caved im and got myself an Amex card. Apart from the stupidly high membership rate for whats usually free what do you do with the points?
My friend tells me to pay for everything with the card and soon It will pay for its self and more..... Must say im having regrets.
Maybe Im a wally but its not very clear how you can use the points?
All advice is appreciated and many thanks in advance.
I'm not a massive spender by any means, but I've got one (the free one, not the annual charge one) and with bonus offers and a BA/Avios sale had enough points last year to book 3 return flights to Florence last October half-term for just the taxes (so 35 quid and 8,000 points). Probably not what most people would say was the best value for points per pound blah blah, but it got us a decent holiday that we wouldn't have afforded otherwise. Two of my co workers kept banging on about how amazing their BA Amex card is and how they have been able to buy a first class air ticket with just the points.
Eventually I caved im and got myself an Amex card. Apart from the stupidly high membership rate for whats usually free what do you do with the points?
My friend tells me to pay for everything with the card and soon It will pay for its self and more..... Must say im having regrets.
Maybe Im a wally but its not very clear how you can use the points?
All advice is appreciated and many thanks in advance.
Edited by towser44 on Friday 1st March 14:53
justin220 said:
deckster said:
Just wait until you find out how much tax you have pay on your 'free' first class ticket.
We've been playing around with options online, and being honest I think it's a bit of a bargain! I'm looking at is as paying for economy and getting the upgrade for free.
Its easy to accumulate large amounts of points - do your big spending on it through the BA website shop - I often get 6 or 7 points per £ spent. The problem comes when you want to 'spend' the points on a flight somewhere remotely popular in a First or Business.... virtually no availability ever.
I have an Amex Platinum charge card and an Amex BA Premium credit card. We have collected loads of points through our normal spending which we convert to Avios and then use to fund flights. I think it's great and we get back more than the fees cost us when we factor in the avios points value and getting Companion Vouchers for flight (so get a 2 for 1) and using the Platinum service to book holidays, hotels etc, getting upgrades on hotel rooms, car hire etc through the Platinum membership.
I've even used the platinum concierge to help me with things like finding tyres. I had a problem with a tyre and was away from home, I struggled to find anywhere that had a tyre to fit but Amex found me someone to come out to me and change it same day. Saved me doing loads of internet searching and phone calls and meant i could get back to enjoying my holiday in the Dales.
I think it's great and we use them for 90+% of our spend.
I get bonus points for referrals as does the person being referred if they get a card so if you want a referral link let me know.
I've even used the platinum concierge to help me with things like finding tyres. I had a problem with a tyre and was away from home, I struggled to find anywhere that had a tyre to fit but Amex found me someone to come out to me and change it same day. Saved me doing loads of internet searching and phone calls and meant i could get back to enjoying my holiday in the Dales.
I think it's great and we use them for 90+% of our spend.
I get bonus points for referrals as does the person being referred if they get a card so if you want a referral link let me know.
Why are you paying for it?
I have the Gold Credit Card and it is free in the first year. I had the Silver card before, which was free and gave cashback not points. Got £220 for free last year, now collecting the points, and will switch back at the end of this year so I don't have to pay the £140 next year.
I have the Gold Credit Card and it is free in the first year. I had the Silver card before, which was free and gave cashback not points. Got £220 for free last year, now collecting the points, and will switch back at the end of this year so I don't have to pay the £140 next year.
I've collected a quarter of a million miles and 2 companion vouchers since I started churning these bonuses in about September. Seems to be just about enough for 4 of us to fly return business long haul almost anywhere except NZ/Aus, so pretty pleased! Taxes are expensive though as they charge children full whack in anything above Economy but you do end up with Business flights for about the cost of economy it seems.
Sheepshanks said:
... I can't be arsed figuring it out and then having all the hassle of finding qualifying flights etc.
Have a look at this free tool. Makes finding availability *much* easier.https://rewardflightfinder.com/
You can also upgrade to their paid version if you wish. It will then send you prompt notifications when new availability is released for your target destination/dates. I use it quite a lot and think it is useful.
I have had Amex since 89 and it works for me . Usually four ticket to US a year, usually PE, but did last summer UC. Did this Xmas on points and this coming summer with points and next Xmas booked with points. My card costs a lot !! But it pays for itself. Car hire, travel insurance included, hotel upgrades and staying in the fine hotels group, usually $200 beverages credit.
Very unusual for it not be accepted.
Very unusual for it not be accepted.
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