British Airways American Express Credit Card

Best Features of the British Airways American Express Credit Card

• Earn 1 Avios points for every £1 spent
• Get 9,000 bonus Avios points for spending £1,000 in first 3 months
• Complimentary travel accident, purchase & refund coverage
• Free companion ticket for spending £20,000 every year
• No annual fee to pay
• Read the terms and conditions

Our Review

The British Airways American Express credit card is an ideal choice for frequent flyers, particularly those who travel regularly with British Airways and its partners. There are numerous great perks that come from using this card to make your daily purchases – like earning points towards flights, a free companion ticket each year, and complimentary insurance. Considering that there is no annual fee and the purchase rate is comparatively low, frequent travellers are getting a great overall credit card.

Who it’s for

This card is custom made for frequent flyers who don’t want the burden of a yearly fee. Since the purchase rate is fairly low, you can use the card for your daily spending without worrying too much if you don’t pay your bill right away.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the British Airways credit card, you must be at least 18 years old, have a current UK bank or building society account, be a permanent UK resident, have a household income of at least £30,000, have a good credit history, and, if self-employed, have been working for at least a full year before applying.

Balance Transfers

There is no balance transfer offer currently available for the BA American Express credit card.

Purchases

The rate for purchases is a variable 19.9% p.a. While this is hardly the best interest rate available on the market as a whole, it is very competitive compared to other frequent flyer credit cards – especially considering that there is no annual fee. You have up to 56 interest-free days to help you avoid debt.

The minimum repayment amount is 2.5% or £5, whichever is more. This is on par with the industry standard. Fees are also on par with the industry. You will pay £12 for late payments, returns and going over your credit limit.

Rewards

This card really delivers when it comes to rewards. Firstly, you will automatically get enrolled in the frequent flyer program and start earning 1 Avios point for every £1 you spend. If you spend £1,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account, you will be rewarded with 9,000 bonus Avios points – enough to get you to Paris! If you spend at least £20,000 in a year on your BA American Express credit card, you are entitled to a free companion ticket yearly. You have 12 months to redeem the ticket and book your flight.
?It is worth noting that, compared to other frequent flyer rewards, British Airways is really flexible about which flights you can take with fewer restrictions, blackout dates and better seat choices.

Public transport accident insurance is also complimentary, covering you for up to £75,000 if you are involved in an accident and booked your ticket on your card.

British Airways American Express credit cardholders get refund protection on eligible items: if a retailer won’t give you a refund on an item you bought within 90 days, AmEx will refund the amount for you. Purchase protection is also included, which covers any goods purchased with your card if they are stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days.

There are a few other perks with the British Airways Credit Card, like getting VIP access to the best seats for concerts, sporting events, theatre and film. American Express has a presales service so you can buy tickets before they become available to the general public.

Cash Advances

The cash advance rate for British Airways Credit Card is 27.9% p.a. plus 3% or £3, whichever is greater. This is not as good as the British Airways Premium Plus card, but is about on par with the industry standard interest rates and fees.

Security & Fraud Protection

You are covered by the most advanced security and fraud monitoring with 24/7 support should you ever need it. All online payments with the BA Credit Card are covered by the Online Fraud Guarantee: if there are any unauthorised payments, you won’t be held accountable.

Conclusion

For a frequent flyer credit card with no annual fee, the British Airways American Express credit card really delivers. The purchase rate is low enough to use this card for your daily spending while you accumulate points for free flights. Before you get too caught up by its many perks though, do remember that American Express cards are not as widely accepted and often have a surcharge. This does take away from the attractiveness of the card, but it is still an all-around good deal, especially if you’re a frequent flyer.