Alright, folks, let’s talk about the best UK credit cards for earning air miles in 2024. You might think that travel hacking and upgrading to business class for free is a privilege only Americans enjoy, but that’s not the case. Brits can do it too! Here’s a simple rundown of the top 7 UK credit cards that can help you earn air miles.
First, let’s understand how air miles work. If you’re new to this, check out this post. It explains how you can earn air miles and ‘travel hack’ to fly business class for free.
Now, earning air miles in the UK is a bit tougher than in the US. Americans can ‘churn’ credit cards and earn up to 50k air miles each time they sign up for a new card. We can’t do that in the UK, but we can still earn enough for business class flights every year or two.
Here are the top 6 credit cards in the UK for earning air miles:
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American Express Platinum Business: This card is for people who fly regularly and spend a lot on their cards every month. It offers a sign-up bonus of 40,000 points if you spend £6k in the first 3 months. It also provides comprehensive worldwide travel insurance and access to luxurious Centurion Lounges.
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American Express Platinum: This card is for frequent flyers who need a Priority Pass. It offers a sign-up bonus of 30,000 points if you spend £4k in 3 months.
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British Airways American Express Credit Premium Plus Card: This card is for people who want to fly with their partner or friend once a year for free with the companion pass. It offers a sign-up bonus of 25,000 points if you spend £3k in 3 months.
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American Express Preferred Rewards Gold: This card is for people who are new to collecting air miles. It offers a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points when you spend £3k in the first 3 months.
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American Express Nectar Card: This card is for everyone new to the points game. It offers 20,000 Nectar points when you sign up and spend 2kGBP in the first 2 months.
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Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card: This card is for everyone who wants to earn and collect air miles with a UK credit card. It offers a sign-up bonus of 15,000 points if you use the card even once in the first 3 months.
Remember, you need 2 of these cards. So 1 Amex, and 1 Virgin.
In my opinion, the best card is the Amex business platinum. It’s the most expensive, but you get TWO unlimited Priority Passes and 40,000 miles as a sign-up bonus. That’s almost enough for one business class upgrade.
If you’re looking for a cheaper card, then I’d go with the British Air Premium+ (£195 per year). The travel companion voucher is AMAZING value. If you use points to book yourself business, you get a friend free. That’s £1k+ value right there.
For beginners, the best card is the British Airways Premium Card, with 42,000 Air miles. But if you don’t want to spend 500+quid on a credit card, and you want a ‘free’ card with the chance to earn miles, take the Gold American Express.
Collecting air miles in the UK may not be as good as the US, but if you want to fly business class once every year or two, then you may as well take the opportunity. You need to use a credit card anyway, so at least this way you get rewarded with absolute luxury now and again.
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