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British Airways American Express Card review June 2019
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.
Finder rating: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).
22.9%
Representative APR
£0
Account fee
Up to 5,000 points
Intro bonus
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
Details
| Issuer | American Express |
|---|---|
| Network | Amex |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Purchases | 22.9% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Cash advances | 27.9% |
| Min. credit limit | £700 |
| Max credit limit | Not specified |
| Additional cards available | 1 |
| Incentive | 5,000 Avios when you spend £1,000 within 3 months of account opening. Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Spend £20K in 12 months and get 2 for 1 travel when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight. Earn up to 90,000 bonus Avios points per calendar year, 4,000 points per friend/family member that successfully applies for an American Express card (Excl. Basic card) and uses the Referral Programme. |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
|---|---|
| Residency | UK residents. |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
|---|---|
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £2 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £12 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Replacement card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
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. 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!
How does this card compare with other Avios-earning cards on the market?
Comparison ordered by representative APR with affiliated products shown first.
Updated June 24th, 2019
Repayment options
When it comes to repayments, you can make manual repayments online or over the phone (0800 917 8020), or alternatively set up a direct debit. A direct debit is a great idea because it protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee 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 for the British Airways American Express Card
If you’re impressed by the British Airways American Express Card and want to apply, just click on the “Go to site” button and you’ll be taken to a secure application form. This takes about 15 minutes to complete. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you’ll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Does this 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 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 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?
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.