Got Amex Gold? Get 3,000 free Membership Rewards points by adding the Gold credit card
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UPDATE – APRIL 2025: This article is now out of date, but don’t worry. We produce a monthly directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above. Thank you.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
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Back in March, I wrote about the ‘private’ Platinum Credit Card from American Express. Not to be confused with the Amex Platinum cashback cards, this card was ONLY available to Platinum charge card holders.
American Express has now launched something similar for American Express Preferred Rewards Gold cardholders.
Take a look here. You can now apply for the Amex Gold credit card, to sit in your wallet alongside your Amex Gold charge card.
Why would you want this? Well, there is one good reason – you receive 3,000 Membership Rewards points for signing up! As the Amex Gold credit card is free, you are getting points for literally nothing (except a ding on your credit report).
There isn’t much else to add:
You need to spend £500 in three months to receive the 3,000 Membership Rewards points
You will earn 1 Membership Rewards points for each £1 spent
There is no annual fee
You must cancel your Gold credit card if you cancel your Gold charge card. The Gold credit card is not available as a stand-alone product. (This is important, as otherwise it would be an easy way of keeping your Membership Rewards account active if you chose to cancel your charge card.)
Is there much point to having this card? Fundamentally, Amex is encouraging you to run up debt that you cannot afford to instantly repay (otherwise you would use your charge card). It will make your wallet thicker without adding any extra flexibility to how you spend, since it can’t be used anywhere where your Amex Gold isn’t accepted.
That said, 3,000 Membership Rewards points is worth having – that is 3,000 Avios or Virgin Flying Club miles.
It appears that you don’t need to have received the mailshot from Amex to apply for this – any Amex Gold holder can sign up.
PS. Ignore the reference on the website to ‘Platinum Credit Card’ – this is a typo from Amex!
PPS. If you don’t already have an American Express Preferred Rewards Gold charge card, I suppose you could see this as an additional 3,000 points for getting one! Remember that the card is free and you get 20,000 points for signing up, and you will then be able to pick up this card for the extra 3,000 points. Find out more in my review here.
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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update
If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.
In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Earning miles and points from small business cards
If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:
American Express Business Platinum
50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Capital on Tap Pro Visa
10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review
Capital on Tap Visa
NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review
British Airways American Express Accelerating Business
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
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