Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
Hi. New to the forum so apologies if my questions have previously been answered.
Welcome to the forum - definitely lots of tips here to help maximise your Avios stash!
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
I am trying to maximise the number of Avios I can earn using the BAPP card. My strategy is to apply for a new card and get 35,000 introductory points (26,000 to me and 9,000 to my wife who referred me) plus 3 points for every £ spent for the first 3 months. I will cancel my wife's card.
I'm assuming your wife already has the card? You only get 3Avios/£ when spending with BA - the rest of the spend is 1.5Avios/£
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
After 3 months I will threaten to cancel my card and get my 1.5 miles/£ increased to 2.5/£ for a further 3 months (this appears to be their standard offering for threatening leavers).
This is not guaranteed - if you get this then treat it as a bonus, but don't assume you will get it
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
After this second 3 months, I will refer my wife for a new card and repeat the process above in reverse.
Be aware the the bonus for BAPP fluctuates and 25k is the highest it's been - it may be down to 18k in 6 months.
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
Therefore for 6 months of the year I will get 3miles/£ and for the other 6 months 2.5 miles/£ plus 70,000 bonus Avios and 2 companion vouchers. All for £150 as I believe you get a pro-rats refund for cancelled cards.
If you cancel the card I think (and someone correct me if I'm wrong please) you lose the voucher. What I think you would need to do would be to downgrade to the blue card to keep it active. Reports are that they are still valid for two years rather than the one year that a blue voucher lasts.
Am I missing anything?
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
In addition, I have the Shell fuel card and have applied for the Tesco masterxard which I think gives most miles per non Amex credit card. Anyone disagree and have any other good ways to accumulate points? I've also just read about the Gate 365 scheme.
It seems like you are going about it in the right way. You are best to get your petrol from Tesco over shell if you want to maximise your Avios. Have a look at Raffles blog
www.headforpoints.com where you will find a whole host of tips and information that will help you in collecting Avios. Personally I use hotel cards like Hilton and IHG for my non-Amex so that I can accrue points and stay cheaply in nice hotels when I am redeeming my pile of a beautiful.
Originally Posted by
THEPUMA
On one of the other threads it seems to imply that you can use 2 companion vouchers in one booking and travel with 3 companions ie 4 passengers in total. Can anyone confirm or deny this? It seems very generous if true.
Yes this is true. You would pay the Avios for two people and for people would be able to fly. You still pay the taxes and charges for four people. However if you have a voucher and your wife has a voucher then both of you would need to be travelling with a companion each. You will not be able to use a voucher and on her credit card if she is not flying.
Good luck!
MrMutton
PS: Beaten to it by nux!