Virgin flying club - Virgin Amex Card *HELP*

Hi Guys

Can you please advise me! I have recently got my virgin Amex card and would like to spend as much as possible on the card paying my bills etc.. But the problem is alot of them dont accept amex, is there a way around this, like funding another card/account or something?

I assume you are talking about the UK Amex not the US version.

Don't know if this is the right place to ask, but as the VS Amex isn't a real Amex (it is an MBNA card), there isn't a lot of point asking in the Amex forum.

Personally, I don't have much problem finding places to use my card - all of the big supermarkets / petrol stations / large stores (except B&Q) / hotels / restaurants seem to take it without a problem - some smaller outlets don't like it, but they don't account for a big % of my spending.

I think you will get all sorts of balance transfer issues if you try to use one card to build up a balance on another - balance transfers don't get the points you are after.

Nick

Hi Guys

Can you please advise me! I have recently got my virgin Amex card and would like to spend as much as possible on the card paying my bills etc.. But the problem is alot of them dont accept amex, is there a way around this, like funding another card/account or something?

Hello Chairman8

This is an old chestnut with all Amex cards. What most Amex cardholders I've conversed with usually do is have a 2nd card which is either Mastercard or Visa and use that where Amex is not taken so you still end up with some kind of benefit. I use a Hilton Hhonors Visa since I stay in their hotels quite a bit on business, I had a Shell Citi card previously which gave rebates on fuel, but they've just recently crippled the benefits on those. There's a comparison chart for card benefits on Martin Lewis's excellent moneysavingexpert.com website - YMMV.

Hi Guys

Can you please advise me! I have recently got my virgin Amex card and would like to spend as much as possible on the card paying my bills etc.. But the problem is alot of them dont accept amex, is there a way around this, like funding another card/account or something?

Further to my previous post, you can make up some of the "lost" point revenue from retailers who won't accept Amex by purchasing online via your virgin online account at the following link:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/frequentflyer/fcpartners/shopping/index.jsp

Don't forget to sign in first.

There is a complete list of retailers here:

http://shop.virgin-atlantic.com/allstores/81311/

Thanks very much..

Yeah I also use the site to buy stuff and bump up my miles.. You also get bonus miles with Car Rentals etc...

Still assuming you have the UK card you should review this thread...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/977625-amex-ba-2009-master-thread.html

Many, though not all, of the same strategies used to earn BA miles will apply to Flying Club miles.