Switching from MasterCard to American Express (LloydsTSB)

Brammeldi

I've never been a Credit Card user until about 18 months ago when a financial adviser at LloydsTSB said to have one anyway as it would increase my credit rating. So, they gave me a MasterCard which I do use quite regularly but I always pay off the balance either immediately or within a couple of weeks.

I'm also a collector of Virgin Airmiles and I've collected miles on flights & surveys so far, but I notice that Virgin Flying Club is partnered with the American Express Members points scheme. From what I can gather, for every £1 spent on American Express, you get 1 mile, or something like that. Once you've collected 1000, you can transfer them to Virgin Flying Club from American Express points.

LloydsTSB seem to do an Airmiles Duo card that has both a MasterCard and American Express.

So, my question is, does anyone use their American Express to collect points/airmiles, is it easy enough, is it worth while?

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

Typhoon2000

The LloydsTSB AmEx Airmiles card collects Airmiles only. AFAIK only cards issued by AmEx accure AmEX Reward points.

Brammeldi

Thanks for your response. I think I had an inkling that it was the case. LloydsTSB airmiles don't seem all that generous. Will look into it further.

angelsmomma

I have the Lloyds duo card and its a bit rubbish really as I only get 1 airmile for each £10 spent on the amex card, if the shop doesn't take amex (which a lot don't that I use) then the mastercard only gives 1 airmile for £50 spend.

I only use it because I bank with Lloyds since it has a branch at the bottom of my street and they offered it to me. As soon as I have enough miles to buy something I will be giving it up.

datostar

As regards charge cards, there is a fee to join the Membership Rewards Scheme with the green card and no fee on the Gold, Platinum or the fabled Centurion. These have a fairly hefty annual fee anyway. This is the scheme which enables you to exchange points for airline partner schemes, Nectar points, various gifts etc. The credit card scheme is different and issues £25 vouchers when you have earned enough points, to be spent at various retailers.

Curt.

I have the Airmiles premier CC which is 1.25 miles to the Amex but like Angelsmomma said, the rewards are crap. I dont pay the £50 fee but i do get free entry to loungest and stuff if i pay using that card for the flights.

The membership fee is negated with other Amex cards btw datostar. (Like the express rewards card etc).