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�鶹ֱ�� vs Amex: a Guide

Whether you’re looking for a premium membership with all the perks, or to simply start earning points when you pay, the �鶹ֱ�� Premium Credit Card or American Express (Amex) card could be for you. But with different plans and point systems available, which one gets you the most for your money?

We know we’re marking our own homework here, but if you’re not sure whether to go with �鶹ֱ�� or Amex, our honest guide should help you make your mind up. If you’re pressed for time, here’s how �鶹ֱ�� compares with Amex at a glance.

Points per £1 spent

Starting with the points you earn per £1 spent, �鶹ֱ�� card members with the Free Credit Card earn 1 point per £1 on all purchases, with up to 5 points per £1 on selected Experiences. As for those on �鶹ֱ��’s Premium Credit Card, card members earn 5 points on all purchases and up to a whopping 25 points per £1 on selected Experiences.

On the other hand, Amex Gold cardholders earn 1 point per £1 spent on everyday purchases, 2 points for every £1 on purchases made with airline partners, and 3 points for every £1 spent on Amex Travel. Amex BA cardholders can also expect to earn 1 Avios — the British Airways Club point system — per £1.

Sign-up and welcome points bonuses

Spending isn’t the only way card members can earn points. Amex Gold offers cardholders 20,000 Amex points for joining, but only if members spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of membership. From there, cardholders can earn 5,000 bonus Membership Rewards points on every £10,000 spent, up to 10,000 bonus points per year. Accurate as of 16 September 2026.

On the other hand, �鶹ֱ��’s Premium Credit card offers users up to 20,000 welcome points with a minimum spend of £1,000 (in the first 30 days).

Points on Rent & Mortgage payments

Amex Gold doesn't reward rent or mortgage payments - they're excluded from points earning entirely. Here’s where �鶹ֱ�� wins.

Until 31 December 2026, new �鶹ֱ�� members earn a boosted rate on rent and mortgage payments:

- Free tier: a flat 1,000 points a month, worth up to £5 a month in rewards value, no minimum spend

- Premium: 5x points per £1 spent, capped at 10,000 points a month, worth up to £50 a month in rewards value.

After the launch period, the standard ongoing rate applies: Free tier: 200 points a month. Premium: 1x point per £1 spent, capped at 2,000 points a month.

Referring a friend

Amex Gold cardholders can expect to earn 9,000 Membership Rewards points for every friend they refer, with a maximum of 90,000 points up for grabs.

As for �鶹ֱ�� members, cardholders earn up to 10,000 points for every friend referred (depending on the card they choose), with no limit to the number of friends you can refer. Accurate as of 16 September 2026.

�鶹ֱ�� Credits

�鶹ֱ�� Premium members get £140 a year in Travel Credits* to spend on their trips: £20 twice a year at No.1 Lounges, and £50 twice a year on either Hertz car hire or a booking at one of millions of �鶹ֱ�� Hotels.

Amex Gold's travel perks work differently: four complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits a year, a 10% discount with Hertz, and a $100 in-hotel credit at participating properties. �鶹ֱ��'s credits are cash-equivalent value members choose how to spend, rather than a fixed number of visits or a discount rate.

Using points to book flights

If you’ve got your sights set on the skyline, �鶹ֱ��’s Premium Credit card users can use their points to book any flight with any airline, as long as the transaction is made directly with the airline and not through a third party.

Amex Gold cardholders can also use their points to book flights, with one of their 12 airline transfer partners. Avios earned on the BA Amex are credited to your British Airways Club account and can also be redeemed on Avios partner airlines (Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, American Airlines, etc.)

While members with �鶹ֱ��’s free membership and Amex Everyday Cashback cardholders can’t use points to pay for flights, both cardholders can still earn points on every £1 spent booking their flight.

Overseas spending

If you’ve used your �鶹ֱ�� points to book your next holiday abroad, take your card with you — you won’t be charged for using your card abroad.

Amex cardholders, however, are charged 2.99% on every transaction made internationally.

Travel insurance

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, but the right card can take the sting out of your setback.

Amex Gold cardholders can claim up to £250,000 in Travel Accident Insurance and up to £200 in Inconvenience Insurance, anywhere in the world. As for BA Amex cardholders, travellers can receive up to £75,000 cover on public transport tickets purchased with their American Express card, but only in selected countries.

�鶹ֱ�� Premium Credit Card cardholders, however, are covered for almost any crisis. Powered by Lloyds, �鶹ֱ��’s worldwide family travel insurance is worth up to £275 a year and covers cardholders on up to £500,000 in Personal Liability Insurance, £7,500 on cancelled flights, £1,000 on lost and stolen baggage and £1,000,000 on medical expenses, plus winter sports and car excess cover anywhere in the world.

Global acceptance

Both Amex, Visa and Mastercard are accepted in over 150 million merchant locations globally, spanning 200 countries and territories. Whilst many smaller, independent stores may still not accept American Express cards, �鶹ֱ�� is part of the Mastercard network, so if you can use a Mastercard to make a payment, you can use a �鶹ֱ�� card, too.

Dining & lifestyle rewards

If you’re an Amex Gold cardholder and fancy a cosy night in, your rewards credit card can get you £5 back on eligible Deliveroo deliveries on takeouts twice a month. Rewards for card members include access to exclusive events hosted across the year. However, these events are restricted to a set time and location, meaning if you’re not in the right place at the right time, you’ll be missing out.

�鶹ֱ�� rewards, however, are our bread and butter. �鶹ֱ�� points can be used at any time on a range of experiences across the country, with cardholders able to choose from fitness classes, on stage performances, dining experiences and more depending on their location. Our online offerings are available UK-wide, with at-home experiences available for �鶹ֱ�� customers anywhere in the country.

Experiences as rewards is �鶹ֱ��'s home turf. We hand-pick 300+ partners like restaurants, bars, fitness studios, wellness brands, theatre, getaways. A few examples from the current and recent catalogue include StayÖÖD, Freddie’s Flowers, Kricket, Healf, BAO, Unplugged, Frive, Ancient + Brave, Wahaca – to name but a few. The list goes on, including �鶹ֱ�� Tickets and �鶹ֱ�� Hotels.

Membership fees

Both �鶹ֱ�� and Amex offer credit cards for no annual fee, but for members who want our Premium Credit Card, �鶹ֱ��’ offer of £190 a year — or £17.99 a month — beats out the £195 price tag that comes with an Amex Gold card if you pay annually.