BA long interest free with Avios points

Coops.Derby

Hi - intending to make a planned purchase I applied and was successful in getting one of these cards. I have a stash of Avios points that I want to increase for a special trip and after reading the MSE view on the use of 0% on purchases decided that to be able to combine the 2 by having the BA card would be the ideal solution.

As I have said I was successful and arrived at car dealer to pay the balance on my new BA card. I had read all the conditions. I had even phoned and discussed my intended purchase with AmEx to smooth the way. Everything was looking rosy until the car salesman swiped the card. Nope, no way Jose! The service they used for all card transactions is provided by Barclaycard. It accepts just about every card under the sun EXCEPT AmEx. I phoned AmEx from the dealership and the young lady apologised profusely so many times I lost count, but there was no way she or AmEx could help.

So there I was, having to use my normal 15.9% Visa card to complete today's purchase. No 18 month at 0%. No 3500+ Avios points to add to my stash.

SO BEWARE! It may be a credit card but not as we know it. AmEx is still AmEx and is not universally accepted.

vns

Thank you for that long and pointless contribution to the forum. (IMO)

I can shorten it for you

I was purchasing something from a retailer and they promised me they accepted AmEx, but it turns out they didn't.

chattychappy

The Amex business model has always been about pursuading people (rightly or wrongly) that they offer superior benefits and that the brand carries a certain prestige. In return for this they charge more to cardholders and merchants.

Not surprisingly, not everyone buys into this model.

Chin

The most successful way of operating an AMEX is to check in advance if the retailer accepts...

zerog

Chin wrote: »

The most successful way of operating an AMEX is to check in advance if the retailer accepts...

Which the OP apparently did.

However, the OP also thinks that there is an 18 month 0% on the BA Amex, which there never has been.

3500 Avios is not going to get you anything more exciting than £20 off a BA flight.

redpete

zerog wrote: »

Which the OP apparently did.

Reads to me that the OP checked with Amex that they would be OK with using the card for a large purchase - not that the card could be used at a particular car dealer. The OP does not say they checked with the dealer before they bought the car that the Amex could be used.

reclusive46

zerog wrote: »

Which the OP apparently did.

However, the OP also thinks that there is an 18 month 0% on the BA Amex, which there never has been.

3500 Avios is not going to get you anything more exciting than £20 off a BA flight.

Actually Amex does have a 0% 18 month offer on the BA card through money supermarket.