Maximising Amex Avios Points

shavy65

Hi guys, new to the whole Amex point collecting game!

For years I`ve ignored friends using this method in order to claim cheap flights and British Airways 2 for 1 vouchers. Most of you probably already know the `in`s and out`s` of the Amex BA Premium Card.

Anyway, I was wondering if I was missing out on potential points by not using my Amex card where applicable. Currently I`ve swapped over my paypal to my new card and use the card for general shopping i.e. weekly shop, fuel etc.

Is there anything else anyone could recommend? After a quick search it looks as if I can`t use the card for Direct Debit`s such as utility bills, mortgage, council tax, Sky etc.

Thanks

bd10

Hi! Well, whether you're collecting Avios of membership rewards points, the mechanics are the same with some exceptions of travel bookings, see the card's T&C.
Now it really comes down to Amex acceptance on a day to day basis. I'd be careful with Paypal. On two accounts: Firstly, I tried this and when I wanted to fund the account with my Amex card, Paypal warned me about a credit card fee they would change (I forgot how much it was but it was ways more than what I would have earned in points). Also, if you have Paypal as intermediary between yourself and the merchant, you will loose Section 75 Consumer Credit Act (1974) protection. Keep that in mind.
I am also relatively new to the points game. My advice would be this:
(1) Focus on big ticket items, your annual travel card for example. If you get a free loan from your employer to purchase the card, run it through Amex. TFL accepts Amex, Uber tooMy bike shop accepts Amex, these are larger than average items, so your earnings rate will be much better.
(2) What I always try to do is to "double score", i.e. earn Avios directly through the merchant and through the card payment as well. Examples: Caffe Nero's, Charles Thyrwitt. Tesco indirectly through their club card points which you can get redeemed as Avios. I think Churchill the home insurance provider does accept Amex. As for utilities, no chance really I think, only Netflix, Amazon, etc.
(3) Most importantly, again speaking for myself as example, I do not change my spending habits. First, I try to buy cheapest (mysupermarket, price comparisons), that is cash saved outright (think of this as earned/saved points), then I try to use Amex for all else. All but my dry cleaner accepts Amex. The danger I think of this points game is the temptation to score as many points and inadvertently to increase spending. That's the wrong approach. You're wasting money. If you can save 100s otherwise, this is cash and cash is king, the most fungible currency, then comes Amex membership rewards points (which in turn you can convert into Avios) and then come the Avios points themselves which you however cannot convert into Amex points or cash.

I hope that helps. And good luck collecting :-)

bd10

also, check this list out:
https://www.avios.com/gb/en_gb/collect/collection-at-a-glance

2ilent8cho

I'm up to 540,000 Avios at the moment, taken me 3 years to get that many.

You cannot pay Direct Debits with it no, BUT why not just stop the direct debits at pay by card if you can?

I'm with EE for my mobile they accept Amex so i cancelled the DD and pay by card manually.
Energy, I'm with EDF who accept Amex and i have the DD set to £20 a month then i top it up with manual payments of a £100 a month on top.

Now things like Water and Council Tax you can normally use a service called Bill Hop who you pay by Amex and they then pay the bill by Bank Transfer. But there is a fee (Worth it to get a 2 for 1 voucher though...)

Get yourself signed up for a Curve card, they will support Amex again this month at some point so you can use your Amex card everywhere they accept Mastercard.

Make sure you use the BA eStore where possible when ordering online, all the little points here and there add up. I have friends over on Tuesday nights and we order a takeaway via Just Eat which gives 2 points per £1 spent on there, coupled with accepting amex on top its a few thousand Avios a year just for doing nothing extra.