If you use the Amex welcome bonus cleverly, you can win a flight in business class. How does that work and is there a catch? We’ll tell you here.
The premium credit cards from American Express such as the Gold or Platinum Card offer numerous additional services. Users do have to pay a high annual fee for this, but this can be recouped if the discounts and points are used cleverly. July 15th is the last day for the current welcome bonus for new customers – 50,000 points are still available by then when you take out the Amex Gold Card. This makes it possible, for example, to book various business class flights. What are the conditions for the bonus and how can you get into business class?
Amex Gold: Into Business Class thanks to record bonus
American Express is currently offering a particularly generous welcome bonus until July 15th. With the Gold Card, new customers are credited with 50,000 Membership Rewards points. However, there is a catch: First of all, the card must be used to spend at least 4,500 euros in the first six months. If you manage to do that, you can convert the points into air miles – and that puts a business class flight within reach.
A minimum turnover of 4,500 euros in the first six months seems like a lot at first. However, users only need to spend 750 euros a month with the card. Anyone who pays for all supermarket and online purchases, restaurant visits and petrol fillings with the Amex Gold during this time will probably have achieved this quickly – if the providers accept Amex. “The decisive disadvantage is the relatively small number of acceptance points. Amex itself does not give an exact number. However, Amex is far behind Visa and Mastercard,” writes the Handelsblatt. But according to its own statements, Amex is continuing to expand its network and increase the number of accepting retailers. Even large discounters and supermarkets such as Aldi Nord and Süd, DM, Lidl, Netto, Penny, Rewe, Rossmann and many others are now on board.
Convert welcome bonus into air miles
The high record bonus of the Amex Gold Card can be found in theTransfer frequent flyer programs of participating airlines, such as Emirates Skywards, Asia Miles, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer or Delta SkyMiles.
The exchange rate is often five (Membership Rewards points) to four (Asia Miles, Avios or Skywards miles etc.). To transfer points, you need to register with the airline’s partner program and link your Membership Rewards account – but this only needs to be done once.
How to book a business class flight with Amex Gold
Depending on the route and airline, it is already possible to sit in business class and enjoy the comfort with just 50,000 points. Our example:
- With Qatar Airways from Munich to Doha
- Cost for regular booking in September for a place in the QSuite: 2,946 euros
- With 33,000 Asia Miles, this price is back, which is the equivalent of 41,250 Amex points
However, taxes and fees of 342 euros are also added. But even if the annual fee for Amex Gold of 144 euros is deducted, a saving of 2,460 euros is possible. And that’s for a seat in the QSuite from Qatar Airways, which enjoys an excellent reputation according to Falstaff Travel Magazine.
Even more bonus points?
Not only does the Gold Card currently offer a record welcome bonus, there are even more points to be had with the American Express Platinum Card: There are also 65,000 Membership Rewards points for new customers until July 15th. However, the minimum turnover for the platinum card in the first six months is also increasing. Users have to shell out 10,000 euros before the bonus is credited to the points account. And the annual fee is also significantly higher at 720 euros. But there are also more additional services such as credit for shopping, travel bookings or entertainment.
Alternative to Amex: The Eurowings Premium Credit Card
If you are looking for another way to collect miles with your credit card, you can take a closer look at the Eurowings Premium Card from Barclays. The annual fee is slightly lower than the Amex Gold Card at 99 euros, and the card is even free for the first year. And a welcome bonus is also offered. This is also significantly lower at 3,000 miles (Miles & More), but for every two euros spent on the card you get an additional mile, and the Eurowings credit card also offers a number of other advantages, such as fast lane use or included travel insurance. But you should also be careful here, because the miles you collect are only valid for 36 months and then expire.
Who benefits from Amex credit cards?
Amex credit cards are particularly interesting for frequent travelers who transfer the points to numerous frequent flyer programs and use them to book flights. This is where you can get the most out of them – and even relaxing business class flights can be booked for little money or even for free. This means that the annual fee of 144 euros is quickly recouped.
For those who don’t mind the catches like the annual fee, the minimum turnover and registration in the relevant frequent flyer program, the Amex Gold Card with the welcome bonus is a good option to enjoy the benefits of business class.
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Source: Stern
