Card with Amex UK

[aakashgupta]

Hi! I'm planning to get an Amex card in the UK under my father's name. He currently has an Amex Platinum Travel card with an average annual spend of around 13L. I'm considering using the Global Transfer Program to get a card in the UK and would like your advice on which card would be the best option. Both my brother and I are studying in the UK.

 

[jk51]

Hi! I'm planning to get an Amex card in the UK under my father's name. He currently has an Amex Platinum Travel card with an average annual spend of around 13L. I'm considering using the Global Transfer Program to get a card in the UK and would like your advice on which card would be the best option. Both my brother and I are studying in the UK.

Go through this thread

Thread 'American Express Global Transfer from India to UK?'
https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/american-express-global-transfer-from-india-to-uk.29626/

 

[aakashgupta]

Go through this thread

Thread 'American Express Global Transfer from India to UK?'
https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/american-express-global-transfer-from-india-to-uk.29626/

I did. im trying to find inputs from people currently residing in the UK and using CCs.

 

[percolate]

If you travel a lot and want to collect British Airways Avios points, British Airways Amex card is best. It's LTF too.
If you want Nectar points which can be used for shopping and supermarkets, and willing to pay small annual fee of £30 (FYF), you can go for Nectar Amex card.
If you don't want neither of those cards, Amex Cashback Everyday card is good, which gives 5% cashback on spends upto £125 every month.

 

[Bionick]

Your first Amex in UK should either be Platinum Cashback, Marriott/BA Avios or Platinum Metal card.

If you get Rewards or Gold Credit Card as your first amex card, you can't avail welcome membership reward points benefit on platinum metal card till next 24 months. Also, you won't be able to avail any welcome benefit on Gold Credit card/Rewards card for next 24 months if you get any Amex whether it's Cashback/Marriott/Vitality or BA Avios card (and vice-versa).

One more thing.. Amex doesn't offer charge cards in UK and both Gold & Platinum cards are now credit cards.

In terms of value back, only three cards from Amex UK make sense.. Platinum Metal, Gold Rewards and Avios. If you want a basic card and you're happy with 0.5 to 1% cashback after 3 month promotional period, go for Amex Platinum Everyday Cashback card (free) or Cashback card (25 GBP annual fee).

You'll need a UK bank account and address proof (bank statement would do) on your father's name. Wise won't work and any mainstream bank including Monzo will be fine.

 

[Bionick]

If you travel a lot and want to collect British Airways Avios points, British Airways Amex card is best. It's LTF too.
If you want Nectar points which can be used for shopping and supermarkets, and willing to pay small annual fee of £30 (FYF), you can go for Nectar Amex card.
If you don't want neither of those cards, Amex Cashback Everyday card is good, which gives 5% cashback on spends upto £125 every month.

Basic BA Avios is not good. Free but very poor reward rate. Premium version has nice reward rate but is expensive at 300 GBP fee.
Platinum Cashback card gives upto 125 GBP in first 3 months after which the reward rate drops to 0.5%.
Amex Vitality card is not worth of time and energy at all.

 

[aakashgupta]

If you travel a lot and want to collect British Airways Avios points, British Airways Amex card is best. It's LTF too.
If you want Nectar points which can be used for shopping and supermarkets, and willing to pay small annual fee of £30 (FYF), you can go for Nectar Amex card.
If you don't want neither of those cards, Amex Cashback Everyday card is good, which gives 5% cashback on spends upto £125 every month.

Honestly i dont think Avios are worth the hype... ive been looking at the amex cashback cards and am planning to get those for the cashback.

 

[Bionick]

Honestly i dont think Avios are worth the hype... ive been looking at the amex cashback cards and am planning to get those for the cashback.

Amex BA Card is useful only if you use BA/Qatar for your travel between UK and India. Download Avios app and you can earn accelerated avios on almost everything from deliveroo to apple to harrods. If you use uber a lot then you can even double dip with every ride.

If you're going with the Platinum Cashback card then it's a great choice. Get the one with 25 GBP annual fee. Everyday Cashback card is free but the reward rate drops to half of the paid card once the promotional period is over and it gives 25 GBP less cashback than the paid version in first 3 months

 

[aakashgupta]

Your first Amex in UK should either be Platinum Cashback, Marriott/BA Avios or Platinum Metal card.

If you get Rewards or Gold Credit Card as your first amex card, you can't avail welcome membership reward points benefit on platinum metal card till next 24 months. Also, you won't be able to avail any welcome benefit on Gold Credit card/Rewards card for next 24 months if you get any Amex whether it's Cashback/Marriott/Vitality or BA Avios card (and vice-versa).

One more thing.. Amex doesn't offer charge cards in UK and both Gold & Platinum cards are now credit cards.

In terms of value back, only three cards from Amex UK make sense.. Platinum Metal, Gold Rewards and Avios. If you want a basic card and you're happy with 0.5 to 1% cashback after 3 month promotional period, go for Amex Platinum Everyday Cashback card (free) or Cashback card (25 GBP annual fee).

You'll need a UK bank account and address proof (bank statement would do) on your father's name. Wise won't work and any mainstream bank including Monzo will be fine.

hi, i just have a small question- will revolut work as my bank account? I think it would be comparatively easy to open an account with revolut and faster as well.

 

[Bionick]

hi, i just have a small question- will revolut work as my bank account? I think it would be comparatively easy to open an account with revolut and faster as well.

Naah.. Revolut is still in process to get a full banking licence. Try with Monzo or Starling, they're easiest of the (neobanks) lot.

If your father has a savings account with HSBC in India, he'll probably be able to open an account in UK as well (not sure whether it works for non-premier account).

Alternatively, you can open an account with HSBC in your name and get a student credit card. Better options will open up later once you have a decent credit history. Another option is Klarna which you can check if Buy Now Pay Later is your thing.

 

[aakashgupta]

Naah.. Revolut is still in process to get a full banking licence. Try with Monzo or Starling, they're easiest of the (neobanks) lot.

If your father has a savings account with HSBC in India, he'll probably be able to open an account in UK as well (not sure whether it works for non-premier account).

Alternatively, you can open an account with HSBC in your name and get a student credit card. Better options will open up later once you have a decent credit history. Another option is Klarna which you can check if Buy Now Pay Later is your thing.

i have been banking with HSBC UK since 1 year so ig will go with it... i need a credit card just for points. lets see!