Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

Bits: Heathrow’s Christmas ad, two free US Uber rides, American Express shopping offers

Links on Head for Points may pay us an affiliate commission. A list of partners is here.

News in brief:

Watch Heathrow’s Christmas ad

Heathrow Airport has released an incredibly sweet Christmas ad, reminding us all that Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones.

If you haven’t seen it on TV, I strongly recommend taking a look (click below, it may not display if you are reading this outside our website).  This ad will definitely make it into my top five Christmas ads this year …..

Free Uber ride up to $65

If you are heading to the US between now and New Year, American Express and Uber are running a holiday season promotion giving you two free Uber rides up to $65 each from selected US airports.

Simply enter the code AMEXAIRPORT before ordering your Uber and select an American Express card for your payment.  The code is accepted OK on UK registered Uber accounts.

This offer is valid for Uber rides before 31st December 2016 from the following airports:

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

If you don’t already have an Uber account, sign up using the code ‘uberheadforpoints’ (enter it on the Promo Code page once you’ve downloaded the app) and you will receive a £10 free first journey – UK rides only.

Harrods

Decent Harrods / American Express promotion

Finally, Harrods has launched a new cashback promotion with American Express.

This may – or may not – be showing under the ‘Offers’ section for one or more of your Amex-issued Amex cards on the online statement page.  If it is there, you need to load it to your card.

You will receive £30 cashback when you spend £100 in one transaction before Christmas Eve.  The offer terms state that gift cards are excluded but I’m not sure if that would be correct in practice.  Airport stores are excluded.

Whilst you’re in Knightsbridge, many people will have an offer for £20 back on a £100 transaction at Harvey Nichols.  This offer also runs to Christmas Eve.  I believe that there is also a House of Fraser cashback deal out there.


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

Nectar American Express

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

American Express Platinum card Amex

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

Amex Platinum Business American Express

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 card

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

Comments (112)

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

  • Peter K says:

    OT. I’m sure I am answer to this in the comments a few weeks back but can’t remember what was said. I booked an outbound flight online using the 2-4-1 BA voucher but the inbound using the call centre.

    The avios for the return flight been taken but no extra money. The outbound and inbound flights are showing on BA.com but there was no confirmation email. Do I need to chase or is it safely booked?

    • Rob says:

      If it shows with a ticket number it is booked. These errors happen fairly often ….

    • Liz says:

      It can take several weeks for them to process and reissue the ticket with the return flight and also charge the money – mine took about 3 months. As long as it is showing on your account it will be fine.

  • Liz says:

    Brilliant result on both fronts! Well done Andy!

  • Donald Trump says:

    Can I use MBNA, Lloyd’s etc issued AMEX cards at harrods?

  • Diksa says:

    Thanks for the UBER offer!

    Do we know if the offer is valid for AMEX issued credit cards only or it works with MBNA issued AMEX cards too (like the Virgin Atlantic UK credit card? Thanks!

  • Macca says:

    For the Uber deal, will using the Amex Gold Charge Card work ok, or does this have to be a Credit Card? I’m between Amex CC’s right.

  • Harry says:

    The fine print / T&C on the AMEX website says that you may not get the 30 pound back on Harrods if you buy a gift card. Can someone please confirm this?

  • Casey says:

    Shame I missed out on the Uber promo by a week. If anyone is taking an Uber/Lyft back to an airport (or anywhere in the US) we used the code FLYRIDE20 for $20 credit on Lyft from Newark to midtown (advertises in charlotte airport). There are various Lyft promos (I used one for $5 off ten rides too for shorter journeys) out there. If you’re like me an had only used Uber, worth a look to open a Lyft account!

  • Darran says:

    Does anyone know if spend at any of the restaurant concessions count as harrods spend?

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