[UK] My first Gold card year is almost over. Options? [Consolidated]
Nov 19, 2014, 12:21 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Here today, gone tomorrow
Programs: Nothing shiny :-(
Posts: 2,493
Hello,
I understand that on renewal of my card after the first year, I'll receive 7,500 bonus points (posted one month after renewal). If I then cancel after the points have posted, will the bonus points remain and will I get the annual fee back?
When I cancel, do I have to have 'spent' my points (or at least converted them to miles?)
Thanks,
Adam
I understand that on renewal of my card after the first year, I'll receive 7,500 bonus points (posted one month after renewal). If I then cancel after the points have posted, will the bonus points remain and will I get the annual fee back?
When I cancel, do I have to have 'spent' my points (or at least converted them to miles?)
Thanks,
Adam
I think you get a short period of time to spend them, check the T&Cs online. Safer to have used them though.
Mar 5, 2015, 4:57 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 18
UK Gold Rewards Card Renewal - any way to park points?
My Gold Rewards is due for renewal (£125).
I've got 45k points in there; in the UK is it possible to downgrade to a fee free card or park the points until they're needed?
Spending wise I've only put ~£7k spend through it in the past 12 months.
I've been trying to find the answer on here but I can only find info related to US customers.
Cheers
Matt
I've got 45k points in there; in the UK is it possible to downgrade to a fee free card or park the points until they're needed?
Spending wise I've only put ~£7k spend through it in the past 12 months.
I've been trying to find the answer on here but I can only find info related to US customers.
Cheers
Matt
Mar 5, 2015, 11:38 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Open an IDC card, use the yearly transfer to move your points over an uplift them at the GBP:USD rate? Details on headforpoints (as ever!)
Mar 5, 2015, 11:51 am
#39
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
1. It appears darkh0rse needs to act now. The IDC application process can be slow.
2. The uplift is about 50%. 45,000 = 67,500
3. However, the transfer rate from IDC to BA is 3:2 68,000 = 45,333
...you end up with about the same value as you started. The outcome may be different if using a different transfer partner, but it still seems much trouble for only 45,000 points.
Mar 6, 2015, 12:05 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Amex (in the UK at least) offer pro-rata refunds if you cancel part way through the year. If the OP does decide on the IDC route (with the benefits and disadvantages it carries, as covered in Raffle's HFP post), then they're only paying a tenner a month (normally rounded down) if they renew then cancel some weeks later when the IDC is open.
The advantage of something like an IDC card, vs a UK MR Green one, is that holding a UK Green card counts against you for the "must wait 6 months before getting a new account signup bonus", while an IDC one wouldn't.
The advantage of something like an IDC card, vs a UK MR Green one, is that holding a UK Green card counts against you for the "must wait 6 months before getting a new account signup bonus", while an IDC one wouldn't.
Mar 6, 2015, 10:30 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
You might be best "parking" them in whatever programme you think you are most likely to use in the future.
If you think you are likely to use them with SPG, you could park them there. Ultimately, if you decide not to redeem with SPG, you can at least from there move them to just about any other programme. Of course, you lose a lot of value on that subsequent move, i.e. MR->BA is 1:1 but MR->SPG ->BA is effectively 2:1.
If you think you are likely to use them with SPG, you could park them there. Ultimately, if you decide not to redeem with SPG, you can at least from there move them to just about any other programme. Of course, you lose a lot of value on that subsequent move, i.e. MR->BA is 1:1 but MR->SPG ->BA is effectively 2:1.
Mar 6, 2015, 10:42 am
#42
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Mar 31, 2015, 3:58 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 447
[UK] My first Gold card year is almost up, am I doing this right?
Hello!
I finally got on the avios/MR/points train last May, I was spending a decent amount of money with nothing coming back, so I signed up for a Gold Amex.
I've since racked up about 60k points (inc 20k intro bonus and one 9k referral), so spend is around £30k. I have an HSBC Premier CC for non-Amex spend.
From where I am at the moment, I am going to push for a retention bonus at renewal, take it, take the 7.5k intro bonus that I'm due, then cancel the card.
I'm then considering putting all expenditure through my Premier CC until the next BAPP signup promo, using that for 11-12 months, then move back to a Gold Amex.
At the mo, Plat is off the cards, but I have an eye on that.
Am I on the right track?
I finally got on the avios/MR/points train last May, I was spending a decent amount of money with nothing coming back, so I signed up for a Gold Amex.
I've since racked up about 60k points (inc 20k intro bonus and one 9k referral), so spend is around £30k. I have an HSBC Premier CC for non-Amex spend.
From where I am at the moment, I am going to push for a retention bonus at renewal, take it, take the 7.5k intro bonus that I'm due, then cancel the card.
I'm then considering putting all expenditure through my Premier CC until the next BAPP signup promo, using that for 11-12 months, then move back to a Gold Amex.
At the mo, Plat is off the cards, but I have an eye on that.
Am I on the right track?
Last edited by shadowline; Mar 31, 2015 at 5:08 am
Mar 31, 2015, 5:15 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Sounds OK. They are not desperately keen on retention bonuses though.
Note that the 7,500 doesn't post for a month after renewal so you need to pay the £125 and then get £110 or so refunded.
Note that the 7,500 doesn't post for a month after renewal so you need to pay the £125 and then get £110 or so refunded.