I've got a friend in the UK that wants to join the BAEC.

But he won't take any "qualifying flights" until later in the year. (The conversation came up because we're going to be on a number of short hauls together in discount economy next month.)

I explained that he would get next to no miles on these short hauls, and they aren't considered qualifying flights by BA, but he'd like to join anyway.

He plans to take some WT+ trips later this year, and doesn't want to join the AA or QF because he wants to eventually use miles for upgrades.

In the US, you can apply for a First USA Visa and join the BAEC that way.

In the UK, can you apply for a BA Amex and use that approach for joining the EC? (I notice the application asks whether or not you already have an BAEC number.)

I figure that signing up for a BA Amex is a good idea for him anyway, as right now he doesn't use any type of rewards card, and he'd earn the miles needed for upgrades much more quickly.

So if he can join the BAEC by getting a BA Amex, are there any good sign up offers for the card?

Thanks for any advice.