To get around using a visa card and paying with a fully points giving Amex or Mastercard, buy your souveniers from John Lewis. At Stratford, if you pay at the till in the 2012 room (with fabulous views of the Aquatic Centre and Stadium) you need to use your visa, but step into the main shop and you can pay with what ever you like. Pretty sure there are signs up telling people that too as a lot of tourists wouldn't be carrying one around. Even better, buy online via the BA estore and get 2x the points!

I understand there are a lot of people who object to the merchandising, but the smiles on my godchildren faces who live outside London was worth it when I gave them items with the logos and characters on them. I very rarely buy souveniers when on holiday, but for an event like this in my home town, I think a few keepsakes are in order.