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British Airways American Express Credit Card review 2021
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Earn Avios while you spend and enjoy introductory bonus points with the British Airways American Express Card.
With the British Airways American Express Card, you'll earn points virtually every time you use your card, to redeem with British Airways or a number of other airlines, for flights, flight upgrades, hotel stays and more.
You say: ★★★★★We say: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.2% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.2% APR (variable).
Up to 5,000 points
Intro bonus
22.2%
Representative APR
£0
Account fee
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
Details
| Issuer | American Express |
|---|---|
| Network | Amex |
| Rep. APR | 22.2% (variable) |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Loyalty scheme | Avios |
| Incentive | New Cardmember offer: Earn 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. |
| Additional Rewards Info | Refund Protection (90 days to return, receive max £200 per item, £750 per year). Automatic enrolment to the British Airways Executive Club. Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences. Global Assist - 24/7 help available when travelling outside the UK. Eligible for American Express Offers where cardmembers can choose offers from selected retailers to obtain discounts or cashback. |
| Purchases | 22.2% |
| Purchases interest-free period (days) | 56 |
Expert review
Review by
Chris Lilly
chris.lilly@finder.comChris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.
Expert review
For frequent flyers, air miles programmes like Avios are a great way to make day-to-day spending go a little further (literally). You can earn Avios points with a handful of UK credit cards including the BA Amex. Which one is most suitable for you will depend on your circumstances and how you plan to use the card – with each card having its own specific features, like annual fees, interest rates, Avios earn-rates, introductory bonuses etc. Don’t forget that introductory “welcome” bonuses tend to come with a few minimum-spend strings attached.
Crucially, if you’re likely to carry a balance from month to month, you’ll almost certainly pay more in interest than you’ll earn in rewards with this card. But if that doesn’t apply to you, try to calculate how much you’ll spend on your card each month, to see whether it’s worth opting for this card’s big sister – and swallowing the annual fee in return for a better earn-rate.
Plus, if you’re a master of persuasion, don’t forget that there are tasty points rewards to be had when you sign-up a friend or family member too!
Pros and cons
Pros
- Earn Avios on all your spending, without paying an annual fee.
Cons
- Big spenders who clear their balance in full each month may get more from the Premium Plus card.
How does this card compare with other Avios-earning cards on the market?
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through American Express's app, by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 917 8020). Alternatively you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | Fixed amount | Fixed percentage | Full amount |
|---|---|---|---|
How to apply
First, you can use Finder's eligibility checker to find out if you'd be likely to get approved for the British Airways American Express Card. This won't impact your credit score. If it's good news, you can then proceed to American Express's online application, which takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
The verdict
With the ability to earn Avios points on all purchases, the British Airways American Express credit card is a good everyday option for those who like to travel. When you add in a generous intro points offer and no annual fee, it’s also a great way to earn points while keeping your costs low, provided you pay off your balance in full each month.
Frequently asked questions
Does the British Airways American Express card come with access to American Express Experiences?
Yes, as with other Amex cards, you'll be able to tap into all the perks of the American Express Experiences (formerly Invites) scheme.
Is there a minimum spend requirement on the British Airways American Express card to get the intro bonus?
Yes, you'll need to spend a specified amount, within a specified timeframe (that starts when your account is opened) – see table above.
Can I spend my British Airways American Express card Avios on things other than flights?
Yes, as well as flights (or even simply part of the price of a flight), your Avios can be redeemed for car hire, hotel rooms and flight upgrades.
Can I get rewarded if I refer a friend to the British Airways American Express card?
Yes, in fact that's a great way to boost your points earnings after the excitement of your intro bonus has worn off! Check out our guide to Amex's referral programme.
Finder credit card ratings
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Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
