To Amex...or not to Amex!

[Deleted User]

The premium card is the one to go with if you want Avios points.

Ignore the free card.

https://www.headforpoints.com/2019/06/16/why-no-one-should-spend-20000-for-a-2-4-1-on-the-free-british-airways-american-express-card/

https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/07/17/best-avios-credit-card-part-1/

stevenhp1987

!!! wrote: »

The premium card is the one to go with if you want Avios points.

Ignore the free card.

https://www.headforpoints.com/2019/06/16/why-no-one-should-spend-20000-for-a-2-4-1-on-the-free-british-airways-american-express-card/

https://www.headforpoints.com/2018/07/17/best-avios-credit-card-part-1/

Yes and no.

the premium card is poor value if you cannot generate enough Avios (e.g. flying for work) to make the 2-4-1 worthwhile.

You need at least 100k (off-peak JFK redemption from LHR) to make it worthwhile.

You *could* use the 2-4-1 on a Club Europe redemption to somewhere like Malta, but it's not the "best" use of points, especially if you have Silver/Gold status and can obtain lounge access anyways.

SCUD

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Yes and no.

the premium card is poor value if you cannot generate enough Avios (e.g. flying for work) to make the 2-4-1 worthwhile.

You need at least 100k (off-peak JFK redemption from LHR) to make it worthwhile.

You *could* use the 2-4-1 on a Club Europe redemption to somewhere like Malta, but it's not the "best" use of points, especially if you have Silver/Gold status and can obtain lounge access anyways.

For us, we are not a frequent flying family. we have gone abroad once or twice in the past 3-4 years. and with a baby now, It is doubtful we can afford going into a holiday soon.

our destinations too may not necessarily served by BA or One World Alliance, so the BA Amex or Avios in general might not help us. (Example: flying on Turkish or Emirates or Etihad)

Looking at the 241 voucher, it sounds great. but we have a child with us... so if we assume we triggered that voucher, and wanted to enjoy the business class, we still need to pay taxes and fees PLUS a child's ticket in the business class.

The more I consider an Avios card the more confused I get.

lisyloo

I find Avios really hard to use.
Everytime I try to use it for a flight I want it's not available.
I recently used it for a transfer to heathrow.
It was something we would have spent money on, but looking at various articles it was a very poor return on the points.


I now have an Amex cashback card.

SCUD

lisyloo wrote: »

I find Avios really hard to use.
Everytime I try to use it for a flight I want it's not available.
I recently used it for a transfer to heathrow.
It was something we would have spent money on, but looking at various articles it was a very poor return on the points.


I now have an Amex cashback card.

Is that Cashback worth it?

If my calculations are correct: you get %0.5 for the first spent £5000
Then %1 on spends beyond £5000

So if you spend £20,000 a year you would get £175 cashback? That is little I guess.

stevenhp1987

SCUD wrote: »

Is that Cashback worth it?

If my calculations are correct: you get %0.5 for the first spent £5000
Then %1 on spends beyond £5000

So if you spend £20,000 a year you would get £175 cashback? That is little I guess.

£175 is better than nothing.

Also remember Amex do lot's of offers that could save you hundreds throughout the year.

Some recent highlights include 10% off Morrisons and £5 off £10 purchase at a "Small Shop".

[Deleted User]

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Yes and no.

the premium card is poor value if you cannot generate enough Avios (e.g. flying for work) to make the 2-4-1 worthwhile.

You need at least 100k (off-peak JFK redemption from LHR) to make it worthwhile.

You *could* use the 2-4-1 on a Club Europe redemption to somewhere like Malta, but it's not the "best" use of points, especially if you have Silver/Gold status and can obtain lounge access anyways.

Spending £20k per annum isn't worth it for the 2-for-1, compared to a £195 annual fee and spending £10k instead.

Plus the higher points per pound value, the premium card is easily the better card to go for.

lisyloo

SCUD wrote: »

Is that Cashback worth it?

If my calculations are correct: you get %0.5 for the first spent £5000
Then %1 on spends beyond £5000

So if you spend £20,000 a year you would get £175 cashback? That is little I guess.

It’s 5% for the first 3 months, so I’ll be maximising expenditure e.g. moving some of my husbands expenditure to my card.
Also £30 extra referral cash back between us.

So yes I think it’s worth it for the first 3 months.

Are there other cards with > 0.5% cashback or useable rewards that would be better longer term?
amazon points are useable, avios is not useable for me as I’ve been regularly unable to use it on any flights I want to go on

The transfer was 22k points. Uber would have been £35 so I don’t think that’s a good return for avios.

I won’t be spending £20k, but will probably reach the £5k
Most restaurants we go to (zone 1 central London) don’t take it and not all theatres either.

Thanks for your input

Nick_C

lisyloo wrote: »

I find Avios really hard to use.
Everytime I try to use it for a flight I want it's not available.

https://rewardflightfinder.com/ is a useful resource for seeing what redemptions are available

But I agree that Avios are not for everyone. They are great for short haul economy and long haul Business or First, but you either need to book a year in advance if you want a specific flight or be prepared to be flexible.

stevenhp1987

!!! wrote: »

Spending £20k per annum isn't worth it for the 2-for-1, compared to a £195 annual fee and spending £10k instead.

Plus the higher points per pound value, the premium card is easily the better card to go for.

If you spend £20k per year, then yes the premium card is better (10k extra avios + 2-4-1 can be used on those 30k avios).

Most people won't be spending £20k pa though.

Recommending the paid card without knowing their spend patterns is not good. Getting the premium card and only spending £10k per year would make it poor value unless you can get Avios elsewhere.