What are the best credit card deals for August 2018?
Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission. See here for all partner links.
UPDATE – APRIL 2025: This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.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.
Keep up to date with the latest UK credit card bonuses by signing up for our free daily or weekly newsletters.
It is time for our regular round up of what is coming and what is going in the world of UK airline and hotel credit card sign-up deals.
Our directory of the 16 main UK travel credit cards can be found by clicking the ‘Credit Cards’ tab at the top of the site or – for email, Flipboard, Apple News or mobile readers – by clicking here.
What was new in the last month?
The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express restructured
In advance of the merger of Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards on 18th August, the SPG Amex made a few changes:
the earning rate moved from 1 SPG point per £1 to 3 ‘new scheme’ points per £1 – this is not a change in real terms
the free night voucher changed – instead of a free WEEKEND night at a Category 1-5 hotel, you will now receive a free night, valid every day, at any hotel which costs under 25,000 points. This makes the voucher more valuable although still a poor return for spending £25,000.
the refer-a-friend bonus dropped 40%, from 5,000 SPG points (15,000 ‘new scheme’ points) to 9,000 ‘new scheme’ points
The SPG Amex is always worth a look because you can get the sign-up bonus of 30,000 ‘new scheme’ points (worth 10,000 Avios or around £150 of free hotel nights) irrespective of what other Amex cards you have. As long as you haven’t had another SPG Amex in the previous six months, you’ll get the bonus.
Full details are on the Amex website here.
In other news, transfers of SPG points from the credit card and from Membership Rewards are now suspended until after the new merged loyalty scheme launches on the 18th.
The old TSB Avios cards restructured
If you still have the old TSB Avios credit cards, which are closed to new applicants, you should have received a letter about upcoming changes.
The Premier card is being closed entirely. The basic card is losing its companion American Express card and will just operate as a Mastercard going forward.
You can find out more in this article.
Hilton Honors sends out a survey on a new credit card
Hilton is currently working on a new UK credit card to replace the Barclaycard one which is now closed to new applicants.
They recently sent a survey to some Hilton Honors members to share their ideas. This HFP article explains what they are considering.
We are expecting the Marriott Mastercard to relaunch in August
I have no details AT ALL on this. However, if they simply reopen the old Marriott card – which I still have – to new applicants once again, this is what you will get:
- a Mastercard issued by Creation
- no annual fee
- 1 ‘new scheme’ point per £1 spent
- 10,000 ‘new scheme’ points, worth around £50, as a sign-up bonus
- 2,000 free ‘new scheme’ points annually on your card anniversary
- 10 elite night credits each year
Keep an eye on HfP for news on the launch.
All of the MBNA airline cards are finally dead
All of the MBNA airline cards are now finally dead. Even if you haven’t been sent the replacement Horizon Visa card yet, your existing card is now operating as Horizon with cashback benefits.
This is a surprisingly impressive card to use when travelling as I explained in this review of the Horizon Visa credit card.
If you are looking for:
alternatives to the American Airlines credit card, read this article
alternatives to the Etihad Guest credit card, read this article
alternatives to the Miles & More credit card, read this article
alternatives to the Emirates Skywards credit card, read this article
alternatives to the United MileagePlus credit card, read this article
The old Virgin Atlantic cards finally closed last month
The MBNA Virgin Atlantic cards switched earlier, on 6th July. From 7th July, your card has been operating as a Horizon Visa.
This article will help you decide which of the two new Virgin Money issued Virgin Atlantic cards is best for you. The website for the two new cards is here.
Remember that:
The free Reward card has a 5000 miles sign-up bonus, earns 0.75 miles per £1 and comes with a 241 or upgrade voucher for spending £20,000 per year
The £160 Reward+ card has a 15000 miles sign-up bonus, earns 1.5 miles per £1 and comes with a 241 or upgrade voucher for spending £10,000 per year
The cards are issued by Virgin Money so it is very unlikely that you will be conflicted due to having any other cards from the same bank
As long as your credit is excellent, picking up 5000 miles from the free Virgin Reward credit card seems a no-brainer especially as there is no minimum spend threshold.
Legal stuff: I need to tell you that the free Reward card has a representative APR of 22.9% variable. The Reward+ card has a representative APR of 63.9% based on a notional £1200 credit limit and the annual fee. The representative APR on purchases is 22.9%.
PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.
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
Russ 
RTS 
Genghis 
Nigel S 
Anna 
Jonty 
ankomonkey 
Leo 
Alan Cairns 
Nick M 
Rob 
Mr Dee 
BJ 
Gill 
Doog1000 
Roger 
Genghis 
Rts 
Roger1* 
Comments (94)