Application (UK) to Usage: How Long?
 

I couldn't find this information anywhere, so I thought I'd pose the question here in the hopes that someone will be able to assist (because my lurking so far has proven you a knowledgable and resourceful bunch).

Some context: I'm (hopefully) completing on a house purchase (UK) on Thursday. This is my first house and as such I will have a number of white goods and other purchases to make rather rapidly. I've been waiting to apply for the BAPP card for a while, but did not want to apply until the house went through in case the lender decided to pull out due to a credit report change. It'll also give me an easy route to the sign-up bonus being just before Christmas.

The question is: How long after applying online will I be able to use my shiny AMEX to make purchases? I can live a few days without my white goods, but a few weeks may to too long! Side question: Can I use it before I receive the physical card?

Apologies if this is not a good place to ask this question, I'm just eager to know to get the most Avios I can out of the purchases!

Appreciate any input.

In the US it takes about 7-10 days for me to get my card after approval. I don't think you can use it before you receive it but I may be wrong. And welcome to FT! :)

depends on the card, i got my platinum card 2 days after approval, hilton surpass was 7-10.

Once approved, give it 24 hours then call Amex. You can ask for them to keep an eye on it / ensure there are no hiccups. This is what I did and in the end I had the card within 2 days of approval.

Thanks for the advice everyone (and for whoever made my title clearer), will see how quick it comes and update with my little data point.

The easy question to answer is your second one, which is 'no', you can't use it until you have it. The more difficult one is when you'll get it. Have you applied? I would expect it to take a few weeks to work through the system and then another week or two at least before you physically have the card. I've not applied for a card in many years, but from application to receiving the card I suspect you should assume the better part of at least three weeks.

Pins and cards seem to get sent out on separate days. While you can find the pin online, they often seem to send that out first.

If everything goes well, something like 4 working days ought to be possible. It does seem to vary quite a bit though. 1-2 weeks seems normal, but it once took me nearly a month to get a working card after Amex somehow (despite being a current customer) put the wrong postcode on the cards they sent out....

for UK based, your cards are sent to you from the UK but your PIN's are shipped from Fort Lauderdale.

My recent experiences are that the cards will arrive within a week once approved, with the PIN's following separately a few days later.
In fact from memory the line on the application approval says your card will arrive within the next 7-10 working days.

The only time it took longer than this, I rang in to find there had been an error and someone had to manually kick start the process.
But as others have said once you receive the card you can commence spending as you can view your PIN online.

I opened an Amex Gold (UK) last week and the card arrived 2 days later. I set up my PIN when applying for the card.