Best AMEX Card option for earning BA Avios

[scoobs214]

Hi everyone!

I need a little advice please from the gurus on this lovely forum. I've had an AU Amex low rate and Gold charge card before in the past and for many years and then cancelled and now looking at getting back into the Amex club again. Im primarily focused on BAEC not QF and want to apply for a card that enables me to gain the most benefit earning Avios in AU. I know that there is no AU card that gets BA avios but from what I've read on here I can transfer MR to my Marriot Bonvoy account and then onwards to BA avios. Is that correct and the best way to do it?

Would the Platinum Edge be my best bet? Im on 55k a year, and have one other card in Oz - Bankwest Zero Platinum.

I do have a UK BA Amex that I use when im in the UK and for all UK purchases online, which helps me rack up the avios, but its not the best to use in Oz due to the 3% forex fee.

Can I please have some advice and guidance and also if anybody could please offer a referral for a new card Id appreciate it. Im probably not able to get bonus points as have been an amex member in the past but I don't currently hold an AU account with them.

Thanks in advance

 

[andye]

Yes, Amex (via Bonvoy) is now the only real way of generating Avios with an Australian card (Diners used to be good before a tragic devaluation)

The choices are (assuming in batches of 60K Bonvoy). From what you've said you ought to be eligible for signups:

Plat Charge 2.25MR=1.5 Bonvoy=0.54 Avios per AUD Annual fee $1450 (offset by $750 travel credits if you get Reserve too) Signup 80K MR points=19K Aviios
Explorer 2 MR=1.67 Bonvoy=0.48 Avios per AUD Annual fee $395 (offset by $400 travel credit) Signup 50K MR=12K Avios
Essential 1.25MR=0.83 Bonvoy=0.3 Avios per AUD No fee No signup
David Jones 2MR=1.67 Bonvoy=0.48 Avios per AUD (note supermarket bonuses) Annual fee $99 Signup 15K MR=3.6K Avios
Edge 1MR=0.83 Bonvoy=0.24 Avios per AUD (note supermarket bonuses) Annual fee $195 (offset by $200 travel credit) No current signup

The Charge has the biggest suite of extras (inc free Accor night, Amex & VA Lounges are good benefits but not useful currently. Hotel statuses can be useful. I have used the Travel, Smartphone and warranty Insurance previously. I received an additional supermarket spend bonus, a period of double points this year which did offset the inability to use the copious travel benefits). Its 90K MR if you use the referral link.

I have a referral for Charge which I'll put in the Referrals thread

 

[Daver6]

One small correction. Should be $850 worth of travel credits, made up for $450 on the charge and $400 on the Reserve.

However this thread Platinum Charge Companion Card change suggests that the $400 credit on the Reserve card might no longer be available to new applicants.

 

[equus]

Im on 55k

Plat Charge 2.25MR=1.5 Bonvoy=0.54 Avios per AUD Annual fee $1450 (offset by $750 travel credits if you get Reserve too) Signup 80K MR points=19K Aviios
Explorer 2 MR=1.67 Bonvoy=0.48 Avios per AUD Annual fee $395 (offset by $400 travel credit) Signup 50K MR=12K Avios

Those two are ruled out on Eligibilty - minimum income requirements of $100K and $65K respectively.

The other two would be OK.

 

[scoobs214]

Yes, Amex (via Bonvoy) is now the only real way of generating Avios with an Australian card (Diners used to be good before a tragic devaluation)

The choices are (assuming in batches of 60K Bonvoy). From what you've said you ought to be eligible for signups:

Plat Charge 2.25MR=1.5 Bonvoy=0.54 Avios per AUD Annual fee $1450 (offset by $750 travel credits if you get Reserve too) Signup 80K MR points=19K Aviios
Explorer 2 MR=1.67 Bonvoy=0.48 Avios per AUD Annual fee $395 (offset by $400 travel credit) Signup 50K MR=12K Avios
Essential 1.25MR=0.83 Bonvoy=0.3 Avios per AUD No fee No signup
David Jones 2MR=1.67 Bonvoy=0.48 Avios per AUD (note supermarket bonuses) Annual fee $99 Signup 15K MR=3.6K Avios
Edge 1MR=0.83 Bonvoy=0.24 Avios per AUD (note supermarket bonuses) Annual fee $195 (offset by $200 travel credit) No current signup

The Charge has the biggest suite of extras (inc free Accor night, Amex & VA Lounges are good benefits but not useful currently. Hotel statuses can be useful. I have used the Travel, Smartphone and warranty Insurance previously. I received an additional supermarket spend bonus, a period of double points this year which did offset the inability to use the copious travel benefits). Its 90K MR if you use the referral link.

I have a referral for Charge which I'll put in the Referrals thread

Thanks @andye for the detailed writeup. That's a lot of great info.
Really appreciate your help. I'd love the Platinum Charge but it is out of my league income wise unfortunately. Same with the Explorer.
Im going to have a crack at the Edge and see what happens. You didn't have a referral for that?

Post automatically merged: Aug 18, 2020

Those two are ruled out on Eligibilty - minimum income requirements of $100K and $65K respectively.

The other two would be OK.

Thanks @equus , yeah will be trying for the Edge and see what happens

 

[scoobs214]

Did anyone have a Platinum Edge referral link?

 

[Quattro]

Did anyone have a Platinum Edge referral link?

Yes, just sent you one if you still require it.

 

[blacksultan]

Did anyone have a Platinum Edge referral link?

I I sent you a link as well . Thanks

 

[scoobs214]

Thanks everyone for the referral links - I was impatient and applied before you sent the messages. Stupid me, my loss.
Many thanks though

 

[blacksultan]

Another option for you since you obviously already have a uk Amex would be to transfer your aus MR points to the UK and convert to Avios through there . Let me know if you want to know more .

 

[scoobs214]

@blacksultan that's actually a really smart idea! I never thought of that. Many thanks. Will wait and see if I get an AU Amex card and go from there.

On a seperate note, if I did use my UK amex in Australia for big purchases to get avios, would I need to give UK Amex a heads up so they knew it wasn't someone else using my card? Or is their system pretty efficient and I don't need to advise them.

 

[Quattro]

@blacksultan that's actually a really smart idea! I never thought of that. Many thanks. Will wait and see if I get an AU Amex card and go from there.

On a seperate note, if I did use my UK amex in Australia for big purchases to get avios, would I need to give UK Amex a heads up so they knew it wasn't someone else using my card? Or is their system pretty efficient and I don't need to advise them.

I've never informed AMEX of me going overseas. And by the sounds of it, you go back and forth.

In fact, one time I refused to buy a mattress and bed here in Melbourne unless they accepted Amex. They eventually swiped the card, and it declined... and it's a charge card. Checked my phone to call them and an SMS was sent to me to the tune of:
reply 1 to approve or 2 to decline. Replied 1, got them to process again, and it went through instantly.

So, if they do suspect something is up and decline it, check your phone.

 

[scoobs214]

I've never informed AMEX of me going overseas. And by the sounds of it, you go back and forth.

In fact, one time I refused to buy a mattress and bed here in Melbourne unless they accepted Amex. They eventually swiped the card, and it declined... and it's a charge card. Checked my phone to call them and an SMS was sent to me to the tune of:
reply 1 to approve or 2 to decline. Replied 1, got them to process again, and it went through instantly.

So, if they do suspect something is up and decline it, check your phone.

@Quattro Yeah I do go back and forth. And usually just saved my UK Amex for the UK and Aussie cards for here. But now with the current climate, and in Australia for a longer period, would like to use the UK card here and accrue some avios but not have the card decline or frozen.
But I will take your advice and just keep my phone handy. I have read other instances where Amex has told cardholders that you don't need to advise them as their system is pretty clever and high tech anyway.
Thanks for your help

 

[blacksultan]

Se

I've never informed AMEX of me going overseas. And by the sounds of it, you go back and forth.

In fact, one time I refused to buy a mattress and bed here in Melbourne unless they accepted Amex. They eventually swiped the card, and it declined... and it's a charge card. Checked my phone to call them and an SMS was sent to me to the tune of:
reply 1 to approve or 2 to decline. Replied 1, got them to process again, and it went through instantly.

So, if they do suspect something is up and decline it, check your phone.

second that .