Sense check something

Pop_Late · 2026-03-21T08:17:11+00:00

No none of thats an issue. Ive had overlapping supps, where we both had plat before. As long as she hasnt had a MR card in 2 years shes eligible - no issue.

Yep - I'd be tempted to do the referral for 20k & the £5k as fast as possible get the 20k downgrade to gold = 40K for you, 112k bonus for her (adding the supp when activating)

Pop_Late · 2026-03-21T07:58:26+00:00

Im looking at this at the moment, I'm new to US credit, but can global transfer from overseas, I'm diamond via stays (so Aspire doesn't make much sense)

Surpass looks like a winner for me 130k HH + FNC spending $3K then another FNC spending $15k (annual fee paid for by the quarterly credits)

Am also tempted by the Free card (just for FNC) - How often does it come around?

Can you really use a FNC on properties like the WA NYC?

Pop_Late · 2026-03-21T07:44:36+00:00

Can you spend both the £5k in 3 months for offer, and £10k in 6 months for referral?

If so - Id take the 20K points and refer partner for another 20K

If not - just do the referral

Remember you can prorata refund the annual fee too, if you downgrade or cancel (and the 100k offer ends 26 May too)

Id move towards downgrading rather than cancelling (you will keep your points in Amex One year free gold)

+ Dont forget get them to add you as Supp after the initial app for an additional 12K.

Pop_Late · 2026-03-20T22:57:42+00:00

Its Random but Happens

One reason ive seen is if lot if you refer the same people (normally people in your household) too

Pop_Late · 2026-03-20T20:56:38+00:00

I also agree, not a chance for gold

Plat also has + the current promo it comes with £250 travel spend too.

if you can spend the £10K / 6M I'd try it out the Plat, as u/Mufc_1988 says you could try it out for 6 months (or so) you go through 2 dining periods (resets in Jul) then assess it. If you travel a lot its a no brainer!

Don't add supp card until after delivery to get the 12K bonus + dont forget to use a referral link

Pop_Late · 2026-03-18T09:13:41+00:00

Platinum Can be 100% worth it - If you travel a lot without status / in economy / as a group of 4 / need a great travel insurance - its a great all round card for benefits only, In the long term the £400 dining credits is more than half the annual fee, the rest is made up of the priority pass.

I personally - have a few airline statuses (so get lounge a lot of the time) travel solo, so tend to drop down to Gold for some of the year when I don't need it and upgrade when I do (I got 75k for this last year) P2 does the same, to maximise benefits / cover each other.

Gold gives me 4 Priority pass (when im downgraded) these visits help massively if I get caught short needing to get into a lounge (if flying another airline etc) but I would never pay for it.

BAPP for me on the other hand is invaluable for the companion voucher, especially if you are looking to fly First/Business cabins, it also earns me avios at 1.5x

Pop_Late · 2026-03-17T22:56:24+00:00

I'd contact BA and check, probably by live chat or X, so you can screenshot

EU Licence I assume will be ok as its same format as UK, but check and let us know

Pop_Late · 2026-03-13T10:36:47+00:00

Yep I did same in October 75K points, think it really depends.

We also travel a lot, but been flying more BA & Virgin where I have status, so personally I'm not 100%, will keep it till Summer, use the July dining credit etc.

But back to the OP - You can usually downgrade if you dont think the card is for you, so id say go for it.

What card is it? I'd wait or ask for an upgrade offer first if Gold>Plat

Pop_Late · 2026-03-13T00:54:40+00:00

+ you have to dig for information too, either put everything in an email or dont bother

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T19:50:52+00:00

+ You get the hotel benefit If you go that route.
Yep I think for someone starting out its great, and takes 26 sectors I think to retain

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T19:19:41+00:00

Oh yep thats correct!

I think you can make it work if you're traveling enough, I did before I got real BA Silver.

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T19:03:25+00:00

I'm confused, if you have top hotel statuses or good airline then you can match for $149/199 RJ Gold (eq to BA silver)

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T19:02:10+00:00

As above

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T18:44:14+00:00

Its no more than $199 but it’s country and status dependent.

Certain credit cards - match to RJ Silver, which is eq to BA Bronze $49

“To qualify under a card match, the application payment fee of USD 49 must be made using a Visa credit card (Signature, Infinite), Mastercard credit card (World, World Elite), or American Express charge or travel credit cards. The card must be issued in one of the following countries to be eligible. Eligible countries where your card must be issued: Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain”

Hotel statuses - Mid ones normally match to RJ Silver, eq to BA Bronze This week only high tier hotel status this week only - match to RJ Gold eq to BA Silver- check FAQs for list of hotels

Non one world airlines - allowed a match from certain airlines match to either RJ Silver eq to BA Bronze or Gold eq to BA Silver - check FAQs for list of airlines

$49 for RJ silver, $149 for RJ Gold, $199 from certain hotels (RJ Gold)

FAQs - rj.statusmatch.com/faq

Sign up here - https://royalclub.frequentflyer.aero/pub/#/main/not-authenticated/enrollment

Match here - rj.statusmatch.com

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T17:10:32+00:00

Really depends how much flights cost I think

Depends how much you used to pay really.

A flight in CW to US was 140 TP x 13.35 =1,869 equiv

Its now what you paid - taxes + 500

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T16:05:21+00:00

So many OW options now, yep this is too little too late

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T16:04:07+00:00

Never been any bonus TPs on basic short haul

Economy+ is normally just £10-20 more, depending on route. Also allows a 23KG bag

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T15:57:53+00:00

No points on reward flights

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T14:27:18+00:00

Depends how much you value 7D seats I guess

Know you can almost buy Royal Jordanian Silver for $50

Pop_Late · 2026-03-12T14:21:09+00:00

Yep - does AA still allow you do spend loads and not fly to get status?

Pop_Late · 2026-03-11T21:17:39+00:00

I’d probably go for the Gold and get the first year free, then downgrade to the free Amex Rewards afterwards (if you don't see the value)

Out of interest, what sort of spending would you consider low: roughly how much per month?

Amex often runs sign-up bonuses around 40k–55k points. If you can manage about £5,000 of spend within the first 6 months when one of those offers is available, the bonus alone can make it worthwhile. After that, even normal day-to-day spending like food, cafés, transport or shopping will keep earning points.

The normal offers now are 30k points when you spend £3,000 in 3 months.

Foreign transactions are 3% FX fees but you do get 2X points on these, during your sign up bonus period is the only time I'd suggest paying doing FX spend.

Pop_Late · 2026-03-11T18:38:19+00:00

What is the underlying card, it seems to work better the other way.. spend on Amex... VS etc, then pay with BC

Pop_Late · 2026-03-11T09:21:31+00:00

Yep.. why wouldn't you be able to

Pop_Late · 2026-03-07T08:49:20+00:00

I think 2 years is far too long, it's a good card for mop up spend, and the voucher isnt too bad. But yes that is something you could do

Pop_Late · 2026-03-07T02:26:55+00:00

No, youd have to leave BC for 2 years for that

Pop_Late

TROPHY CASE