HfP ‘Credit Cards’ page updated for February 2017 – what are the best deals this month?

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UPDATE – DECEMBER 2021: This article is now out of date, but don’t worry. We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Card Offers’ menu above. Thank you.

It’s time for our monthly round up of what is coming and what is going in the world of UK airline and hotel credit card sign-up deals.

Our updated directory of all 23 UK travel credit cards can be found by clicking the ‘Credit Cards’ tab at the top of the site or – for email, Flipboard, Apple News or mobile readers – by clicking here. This article is a summary of the recent changes, and will hopefully be a useful starting point for new readers.

What’s changed this month?

This week is ‘all change’ with the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic cards.

In theory, the special offers on the two British Airways cards are available until midnight tonight (8th February) but may well be pulled early.

The free British Airways card is offering 9,000 Avios instead of the usual 3,000 Avios (representative APR 22.9% variable)

The British Airways Premium Plus card is offering 25,000 Avios instead of the usual 18,000 Avios (representative APR 76.0% variable)

The two Virgin Atlantic cards have increased their bonuses. This is an interesting tactical move, knowing that the BA offer was going to be reduced. More details on those below.

The special offer of 1,000 Clubcard points (2,400 Avios) for getting the free Tesco Clubcard Mastercard was withdrawn during January.

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

American Express Gold card, American Express Platinum card, Hilton Honors, Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

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

JCB says:

8 Feb8 February 09:53

As a heads up, Qatar are loading some companion fares this morning. Bookable until 14th Feb.
- jamie says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 13:05
  
  some stonking deals out of helsinki as usual…cheers for the heads up jcb
  
  rob will u be doing your usual article?
  
  cheers
John says:

8 Feb8 February 10:07

OT:

The 3,000 Avios for a £150 Heathrow Rewards spend … just been informed that ANY Travelex purchase does not qualify. Spoke with both HR Rewards (based in Lviv in Ukraine!) and an Escalations manager.

Complaint lodged as the terms are VERY misleading.

If anyone has been credited the 3,000 on a currency spend, please post the details.
- the real harry1 says:
  
  11 Feb11 February 22:01
  
  yeah well the people who email them don’t exactly help the project….bit obvious
Gareth says:

8 Feb8 February 13:31

Do upgrades from gold to plantinum provide a set bonus? I can’t locate a specific anywhere or is it agent specific? Thanks
David says:

8 Feb8 February 13:45

Not trying to be a pedant, but might be worth clarifying for anyone very new, when you say: “What are the best travel credit card sign-up deals this month?” – we are talking about credit cards to earn travel rewards, not credit cards to use when travelling. That being a very different question!
- Rob says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 13:52
  
  Those 140 Twitter character headline tweets restrict me though!
Graeme says:

8 Feb8 February 14:32

Aren’t we due an SPG Amex bonus increase at some point soon?
- Genghis says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 15:02
  
  I don’t see one coming
  - Gavin says:
    
    8 Feb8 February 15:20
    
    Me neither but I think I will take one out anyway later this year, as it’s the only way to top up my Aegean account now I’m no longer flying to Cyprus ever other week.
  - Rob says:
    
    8 Feb8 February 17:13
    
    Would be very surprised unless Amex has pre-bought a pile of SPG points! SPG dies at Christmas remember.
    - Roger says:
      
      8 Feb8 February 17:33
      
      So hope to rinse and repeat before year end.
    - Roger says:
      
      8 Feb8 February 17:33
      
      So hope to rinse and repeat before year end.
      
      Any past history for SPG Amex to increase bonus around this time every year?
      - Genghis says:
        
        8 Feb8 February 17:41
        
        There was a targeted 20k in Dec 15
TripleB says:

8 Feb8 February 16:15

I threw caution into the wind and applied for my third new credit card in a little under 5 months (risky I know) – the Virgin Atlantic white card. I don’t collect VS miles (indeed I had to sign up to be a VS flying club member today) but an extra 15000 Hilton points will be very useful indeed. Was accepted immediately with a £2000 limit. My council tax is due next month – so hitting the £1000 spend to trigger the bonus won’t be an issue. Thankyou.
- Genghis says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 16:33
  
  Bear in mind that most councils charge for paying CT online, it seems, but you can generally use Paypoint at a Co-Op who will process the payment on the Amex (for more points anyway)
  
  3 credit cards in five months is nae bother
  - TripleB says:
    
    8 Feb8 February 20:52
    
    My council charges a flat 3 quid for an online payment – admittedly visa/mastercard only – I’m fine with this – it’s a no mess/no fuss option (even if it results in a slightly lower point haul)
Roger says:

8 Feb8 February 17:37

Would post office take Amex for CT payment?
My council would take Payzone not Paypoint.
- Genghis says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 17:42
  
  Try it. Don’t ask “can I pay with Amex?”. JDI.
Alex W says:

8 Feb8 February 19:24

Sorry OT. Can someone please remind me when Avios should hit my account with the Lloyds credit card. I had my first statement at the weekend. Cheers.
- pauldb says:
  
  8 Feb8 February 20:00
  
  It should be very swift, a day or two. Do avios.com and lloyds have the same email address for you? Were you referred and if so has the bonus hit?
  - Liz says:
    
    8 Feb8 February 20:17
    
    There is a known issue with points transferring from Lloyds to Avios – some people have waited months – we are at 2.5 mths so far but have now been told they are working on the fix and backlog and we should get them by 12 weeks. Suggest you phone them to register the problem then keep ringing at each statement till you get them.
  - Alex W says:
    
    8 Feb8 February 20:48
    
    Hmm, yes the “wife” referred me and I purposely used a different email address since I previously held the Premier card. Maybe this was an error! No bonus or any Avios received from Lloyds yet.
    - TGLoyalty says:
      
      8 Feb8 February 20:57
      
      Sometimes when they don’t match your email they go to a new account. Worth contacting Avios.com live chat to see if they can locate the other account
      - Alex W says:
        
        8 Feb8 February 21:24
        
        Roger that. Thank you.
      - Alex W says:
        
        8 Feb8 February 21:26
        
        PS I also had an issue with transferring Tesco CC points to Avios as one says Alex and the other says Alexander, computer says no.
      - the real harry1 says:
        
        11 Feb11 February 22:12
        
        Alexander the ungrate