Smart With Points Podcast - Boost Your Miles & Points

Hello there, and welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast where we help you travel smarter using miles and points. I'm Jack, your host, and I have to say, I'm practically bouncing off the walls today. Why? Because American Express has just dropped what might be the most extraordinary credit card welcome bonus I've ever seen in the UK market. And here's the thing - it ends tonight. Yes, tonight. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let me tell you why I've already applied for this card myself.

American Express has just announced a one hundred thousand Membership Rewards points welcome bonus on The Platinum Card. Let me say that again - one hundred thousand points. This is quite literally the biggest personal card welcome bonus in UK history, and I've been frantically checking my eligibility since the moment it appeared.

Now, I don't typically start episodes with urgent announcements, but when something this significant happens, well, all bets are off. In fact, I'll cut straight to the chase - I've already applied and been approved. That's how good this offer is.

Let me break down the numbers that made my jaw drop. The headline offer requires ten thousand pounds spend in six months to unlock those one hundred thousand Membership Rewards points. Here's what that translates to: one hundred thousand Avios, one hundred thousand Virgin Points, two hundred thousand Hilton Honors points, or one hundred and fifty thousand Marriott Bonvoy points.

At a conservative valuation of one penny per Avios point, that's one thousand pounds worth of points from the sign-up bonus alone. But here's where it gets even more interesting.

The annual fee is six hundred and fifty pounds, which initially made me wince. But when you factor in the additional perks, the maths becomes fascinating. You get immediate credits worth four hundred and fifty pounds: two hundred pounds UK dining credit split as one hundred pounds for January to June and one hundred pounds for July to December, two hundred pounds international dining credit with the same split, and fifty pounds Harvey Nichols credit available until the thirtieth of June.

So in year one, you're effectively getting one thousand four hundred and fifty pounds of value - that's one thousand pounds in points plus four hundred and fifty pounds in credits - for a six hundred and fifty pound fee. That's a profit of eight hundred pounds before we even consider the other benefits. And I have to confess, I've already spent this half of the year's credits!

But beyond the pure financial calculation, there are genuine travel benefits that significantly enhance trips. The travel coverage includes comprehensive family travel insurance and Priority Pass lounge access with guest privileges. There's also a supplementary card that carries benefits and points earning potential.

The hotel status stack is impressive too: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, and Radisson Rewards Premium. I have to say, I am loving Radisson at the moment.

Then there's Fine Hotels and Resorts. Although it can be more expensive using this service than booking direct, the benefits can often outweigh the extra price. I love the one hundred dollar hotel credit and guaranteed four PM check out, especially at hotels where I don't have status, like Hyatt for example.

So who should consider this card? This makes perfect sense if you can naturally spend ten thousand pounds in six months without forcing it, if you don't currently hold any American Express Membership Rewards earning personal cards or haven't in the past twenty-four months, if you actually travel enough to benefit from lounge access and hotel status, if you appreciate premium travel insurance and car hire coverage, and ideally if you have some major purchases planned.

Crucially, having a British Airways American Express card doesn't disqualify you - this is a separate product line. I should note that I already hold the Amex Gold and Platinum Business cards, but this didn't affect my eligibility for the personal card bonus since they're considered different products.

If you've considered your spending habits and this card aligns with your financial situation, you can get the card by clicking the link in our shownotes for the one hundred thousand point offer. Remember, the application deadline is tonight, so don't delay if you're interested.

As always, make sure you understand the terms and are confident about meeting the spend requirement naturally. Credit cards should complement your financial goals, not drive them.

In six years of writing about points and miles, I've learned that the best offers aren't always the biggest ones - they're the ones that align with your actual spending and travel patterns. This American Express Platinum offer is undeniably exceptional from a pure value perspective. Whether it's right for you depends entirely on your financial situation and travel habits.

What's clear is that we're unlikely to see another personal card bonus of this magnitude anytime soon. American Express has really pulled out all the stops here. If you're looking to boost your points balance substantially in two thousand and twenty-five, this is quite possibly the opportunity of the year. In fact, with the recent American Express to British Airways points transfers now being instant, you could be booking that dream redemption sooner than you think.

That's all for today's episode. Thanks so much for listening to Smart With Points. If you found this useful, please subscribe to the podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. Until next time, keep travelling smart with your points and miles.

Looking for the best award flights? Use AwardTravelFinder.com to search availability across Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. Try it for free with our link in the shownotes.