The Coronavirus pandemic has prevented people from spending like they usually would, from job losses to not going out and spending on transport, travel, eating out, and entertainment. Naturally this has hit those who have signed up for new credit cards and are unable to reach the qualifying spend within the usual three months.
Thankfully, after complaints from many customers who were left confused about why AMEX were extending the qualifying period in the US but not the UK, American Express UK has finally announced they are extending the time needed to trigger the sign-up bonus on all new cards. Instead of having to hit the sign-up qualifying spend within three months to get bonus points, you’ll now have six months to hit the qualifying spend.
Convert Membership Rewards points to Star Alliance programmes
I’ve only included the Star Alliance relevant cards, as the others (i.e. British Airways cards) don’t allow you to transfer the points (Avios) to Star Alliance member programmes. Unfortunately Singapore Airlines and SAS are currently the only Star Alliance members that allows AMEX Membership Rewards points to be transferred to their mileage programmes. However, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points that are earned through the AMEX Bonvoy card to any of the Star Alliance member programmes, at varying transfer ratios dependent on the individual programme.
Here are the Star Alliance relevant personal cards that are included:
The Platinum Card, £575 annual fee
30,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £4,000 in six months
Please note: this is a charge card which must be repaid in full each month
Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card, £140 annual fee (first year free)
10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend £3,000 in six months
Representative APR 56.6% variable (including the fee) based on a notional £1200 credit limit
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, £75 annual fee
20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend £3,000 in six months
Representative APR 38.8% variable (including the fee) based on a notional £1200 credit limit
The American Express Rewards Credit Card, no annual fee
5,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £2,000 in six months
Representative APR 22.2% variable
Here are the Star Alliance relevant small business cards that are included:
The Gold Business Card, £125 annual fee (first year free)
20,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £3,000 in six months
Please note: this is a charge card which must be repaid in full each month
The Platinum Business Card, £595 annual fee
40,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £6,000 in six months
Please note: This is a charge card which must be repaid in full each month