New higher British Airways American Express bonuses now confirmed

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I reported a couple of days ago that the American Express mobile site was showing a higher sign-up bonus for the British Airways credit cards.

The Premium Plus version, with the £150 annual fee, was showing as 25,000 Avios instead of 18,000 Avios.

The basic, free, card was showing as 9,000 Avios instead of 3,000 Avios.

BA Premium Plus American Express card BAPP

Amex has now emailed me to confirm that these bonuses are ‘official’ and are now showing across all sales channels. This means that you can apply directly from the main Amex website.

My full review of the benefits of the Premium Plus card is here. Amex’s own home page is here.

My full review of the free card is here. This is actually the most improved deal jumping from 3,000 to 9,000 Avios. Amex’s own home page is here.

Both of these bonuses will run until 31st July.

However ….

Before jumping in, don’t forget that the Starwood Preferred Guest Amex also offers 20,000 SPG points at the moment. These can be converted into 25,000 Avios points. The card also has a lower fee than the BA Premium Plus Amex and also gives you the flexibility to convert to 29 other airline programmes as well, or of course redeem for free Starwood hotel nights.

It doesn’t, of course, offer you the 2-4-1 voucher for spending £10,000. However, if you do not think you can achieve this then the SPG card may be the better option.

My full review of the Starwood Amex is here, and my story about the 20,000 point bonus is here.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – December 2021 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit or charge card, here are our November 2021 recommendations based on the current sign-up bonus.

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the top current deals:

British Airways BA Amex American Express card

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways BA Premium Plus American Express Amex credit card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers.

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and free for a year Read our full review

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points sign-up bonus and a long list of travel benefits Read our full review

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending:

Barclaycard Select Cashback Credit Card

1% cashback and no annual fee Read our full review

Category

British Airways American Express, Marriott Bonvoy American Express

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Stephen says:

7 Jun7 June 09:01

Hi Raffles, Thanks for posting the improved bonus rates. If I refer someone for the BA free card can they also get the bonus for the BAPP card at a later date?

Im part way through the £10k for the 241 so want to refer them for BAPP when I am about to downgrade my own.

Thanks
- Rob says:
  
  7 Jun7 June 09:18
  
  No, you don’t get a bonus if you upgrade. They would need to cancel the free card, wait 6 months, then reapply for the paid card.
Jason says:

7 Jun7 June 11:09

I applied for this card on May 21st, when the bonus was still 18,000 miles. Even though I was approved once the deal had changed to 25,000, they are still only giving me the old bonus. I feel cheated!
- Rob says:
  
  7 Jun7 June 11:21
  
  I wouldn’t. Because one day you will apply for an offer on the last day, not get approved for another few days by which point the deal is worse, and you will still get the higher bonus …
  - AM says:
    
    7 Jun7 June 18:36
    
    you can send them an enquiry and complain! they’re usually quite good and they might give you the 25K bonus instead of the 18K! or just credit you the difference!
Sqills says:

7 Jun7 June 17:07

That’s where the 3Vs come in handy 😉
What's the Point says:

7 Jun7 June 19:42

Hi Raffles
Have you done a story on the BA 2-4-1 companion ticket, i.e how easy it was to use etc. I am thinking about applying for the BA Premium Plus card, and going for broke to get the 2-4-1 ticket.
Although without the 3V cards, its not going to be as easy!
Just to make sure I understand it, I could book a return LHR to Shanghai in First Class for 180,000 Avios + £578 in taxes and fees. And by using the companion fee my wife travels for 0 (Zero) Avios but pays £578 in taxes and fees?
This would seem a very “economical” way for two people to travel in First Class?
- John says:
  
  7 Jun7 June 21:26
  
  This is old news… this perk has been around for years. Raffles’ post on it is here:
  
  https://headforpoints.com/2013/02/12/avios-redemption-university-lesson-7-using-your-ba-amex-2-4-1-voucher/
  - What's the Point says:
    
    7 Jun7 June 21:32
    
    Thanks for the link. I did a quick search, but didn’t find this story.
    Once we have hit the wife’s current SPG and Gold Amex card sign up bonuses I reckon I am going to apply for the BA Premium Plus. But as I already have one of the free ones, I probably won’t get the sign up bonus.
    - Louie says:
      
      12 Jun12 June 11:42
      
      Could Mrs What’s the Point apply instead?
      - What's the Point says:
        
        12 Jun12 June 21:39
        
        Sadly not, Mrs What’s the Point already had the basic BA card as well!
- Rob says:
  
  7 Jun7 June 21:31
  
  They use the same availability as normal rewards, so you book as usual, just paying less Avios. Must be a BA plane. Must start in the UK. Taxes due for both people.
Rob says:

7 Jun7 June 21:32

They paid my SPG 18 months ago even though I had cancelled.

If you are worried, take a referral instead and get the extra 1,000 points.
James67 says:

9 Jun9 June 06:32

Is there a closing date fot the spg 20k offer? Thx.
- Rob says:
  
  9 Jun9 June 07:30
  
  29th July
Polly says:

12 Jun12 June 09:49

Seems like both BAPP and spg end their promos July 31st, but as OH is trying for both cards, and trying to space out the application, I can’t actually see the spg end date anywhere on its site! Am I missing it somewhere, know you have said its July 31st …just checking if spg offer has a later expiry date really? Tnx
- Rob says:
  
  12 Jun12 June 10:09
  
  It is 29th July for SPG, it shows on the ad on the spg.com home page.