A Strategic Approach for UK Airline Miles using AMEX: Best Credit Card For Airline Miles UK

Maximising Your Travel Miles with UK Credit Cards! Here we explore the best credit cards for airline miles, airport lounge access, and travel rewards...

When it comes to travel, there's nothing quite like flying for free or enjoying an upgrade such as lounge access, and one way to achieve this is by strategically utilizing credit card airline miles that are earned from every penny you spend in day-to-day life. In the UK, American Express has some exciting options that can help you turn your everyday spending into bucket-list adventures. So, if you're wondering what credit cards can earn you airline miles in the UK? and what are the best UK credit cards for lounge access? You're in the right place. In this blog post, we'll explore a strategy for maximising your travel airline miles using a combination of two specific cards: the AMEX Gold Card and the BA Amex.

The AMEX Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card is a great choice if you're looking to kickstart your journey to free flights and other travel-related perks. We think it's the best credit card that gives you miles! Here's a closer look at its key features.

1. Generous Signup Bonus

With the AMEX Gold Card, you can earn a whopping 30,000 points as a signup bonus when you spend £3,000 within the first three months of card ownership. These points can be a fantastic starting point for your travel miles collection and with the UK average monthly spend being £2,700 it should be a reachable goal.

2. Earning Points

Earning points is straightforward with the Amex Gold Card. You'll receive one point for every pound spent, which can be converted into airline miles. So, for every pound you spend, you're one step closer to free travel.

3. Priority Plus Membership

One of the standout features of the AMEX Gold Card is the Priority Plus membership, which includes four free airline lounge visits each year.

4. Deliveroo Cashback

In addition to travel perks, the AMEX Gold Card offers practical benefits like £5 cashback on two £5+ Deliveroo orders per month. This can help offset the card's £160 annual fee after the first year.

The BA Amex Card

Now, let's explore the BA Amex Card.

1. Signup Bonus

The BA Amex Card offers a decent 5,000-point signup bonus, which is a nice bonus for simply opening the card. While not as substantial as the AMEX Gold, every point counts towards your travel goals.

2. Earning Points

Similar to the AMEX Gold, this card also offers one point for every pound spent, and these points can be converted into miles.

3. Companion Ticket

Here's where the BA Amex Card comes in handy. If you manage to reach a yearly spend of £12,000, you unlock a valuable perk: a free companion ticket. This means that when you book a reward flight using your Avios points, you can bring a friend or family member along for free (excluding taxes and fees). This feature essentially doubles the value of your miles.

4. No Annual Fee

Unlike the AMEX Gold, the BA Amex Card doesn't come with an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to maintain a credit card for the long term.

BA AMEX Plus

There is also a BA AMEX plus card. Here you will get 25,000 sign up points, a free companion ticket when you spend 10k a year, however, this card has a £250 yearly fee and therefore is not in our strategy.

What Are The Drawbacks?

One of the main issues we have found with AMEX is that it's not accepted in all situations and therefore not all your spends can add up to points. We found with a few big purchases we couldn't use AMEX and this can be frustrating when collecting points. We have also found that in the US, AMEX offers even better deals so this blog post is UK based. We think this is the best credit card for airline miles in the UK.

The Strategic Approach

Now that we've discussed the features of both cards, let's look into the strategic approach mentioned in the introduction.

Step 1: Sign Up For The AMEX Gold Card

Start by applying for the AMEX Gold Card to take advantage of its generous signup bonus. Spend £3,000 within the first three months to secure those 30,000 points. This initial boost will give your travel miles account a big head start to making your money go further.

Step 2: Enjoy the Perks

During your first year of ownership, make the most of the Priority Plus membership and the Deliveroo cashback. These perks help balance out the card's £160 annual fee after the initial year.

Step 3: Cancel or Downgrade

After your first year, evaluate whether the ongoing benefits of the AMEX Gold Card justify the annual fee for you. If not, consider downgrading to a no-fee American Express card or cancelling it altogether.

Step 4: Six Months Later, Apply for the BA Amex Card

Around six months after cancelling or downgrading your AMEX Gold Card, apply for the BA Amex Card. This ensures that you are eligible for the signup bonus.

Step 5: Unlock the Companion Ticket

Now, focus on reaching the £12,000 annual spend threshold on your BA Amex Card to unlock the coveted companion ticket. This feature essentially doubles the value of your miles, making it a fantastic addition to your travel rewards strategy.

By following this strategic approach, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a substantial initial signup bonus from the AMEX Gold Card and the long-term benefits of the BA Amex Card, including the invaluable companion ticket.

Conclusion - Best Credit Card For Airline Miles UK

With the right credit card strategy, you can turn your everyday spending into incredible travel experiences. We believe these are the best UK credit cards for travel rewards. By signing up for the AMEX Gold Card for the signup bonus, and then later acquiring the BA Amex Card to unlock the companion ticket, you'll maximize your travel miles and make your money go so much further. Travel smart, earn more miles, and explore the world while enjoying fantastic perks along the way!

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