British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card review
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.2% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £250 per annum, your representative rate is 107.8% APR (variable).
- Interest-free each billing period
- Up to 56 days
- Intro bonus
- Up to 30,000 points
- Minimum credit limit
- £1,000
Our verdict
Go all-in with travel rewards thanks to this business credit card that earns both Avios and On Business points.
As you may have guessed, this card is meant for companies that travel with BA a lot. If you do, it’s probably your best shot at stockpiling points and earning free flights and rewards as quickly as it gets.
The On Business programme is a business frequent flyer scheme and its points are usually way more valuable than Avios points (although it does depend on the rewards you choose). With this card, you’ll earn them on your BA spending at a quicker rate than you normally would. There is a juicy annual bonus you can qualify for if you use the card enough too.
You’ll also earn Avios points (on your personal Avios account) for every £1 you spend on the card, no matter what for. All in all, if you and your colleagues travel often, it won't take long before you can start enjoying well-deserved free flights, hotel stays and flight upgrades.
However, all these rewards come for a not-so-cheap £250 per annum annual fee. It can totally be worth it, but you’ll have to use the card a lot, so make sure you’ve done your maths before applying.
Finally, unlike many of Amex’s business cards, this is an actual credit card, not a charge card – so you can carry a balance on it if you need to. The 28.2% rate on purchases is pretty standard. But if you do pay off your bill in full every month, your business cash flow will also get the benefit of a 56-day long billing cycle.
Pros
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Welcome bonus offer
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Complimentary employee cards
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1.5 Avios for every eligible £1 spent
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Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with American Express
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Earn points on day-to-day spending
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Up to 30,000 points introductory bonus
Cons
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£250 per annum annual account fee - only worthwhile for frequent business travellers. The fee is tax deductible and refundable pro-rata if you cancel during the year
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Extra fee on foreign exchange transactions
Details
Product Overview
| Issuer | American Express |
| Network | Amex |
| Representative APR | 107.8% |
| Annual/monthly fees | £250 per annum |
| Balance transfers | 28.2% |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Purchases | 28.2% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Money transfers | 28.2% |
| Cash advances | 28.2% |
| Minimum credit limit | £1,000 |
| Maximum credit limit | Subject to status |
| Additional cards available | 20 |
| Introductory Rewards | Earn 30,000 bonus Avios points when you spend £5,000 in first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. |
| Incentive | Earn 30,000 bonus Avios points when you spend £5,000 in first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. |
| Potential costs | 5Standard |
| Doing its job | 6.8Standard |
| Extras | 10Excellent |
| Overall Finder Score | 5.6Standard |
Fees and charges
| Minimum monthly payment | 2% or £25 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges, 1/12th of annual fee plus 2% of the outstanding balance. |
| Annual/monthly fees | £250 per annum |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £2 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application Requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Residency | UK-based |
| Additional Criteria | The business has a current UK Bank or Building Society account |
How does this card compare with other similar cards on the market?
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through American Express's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 917 8043). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | |
|---|---|
| Fixed amount | |
| Fixed percentage | |
| Full amount |
How to apply for the British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card
If you've compared cards and settled on the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card, you can head over to American Express's secure online application to apply. Don't forget, you'll need to be over 18 and a UK resident to apply.
Customer support
To contact customer support for the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card, ring 0800 917 8043.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card?
If American Express offers you this deal, it will specify a tailored credit limit based on American Express's assessment of your situation and your business. The minimum limit offered on this card is £1,000, and American Express does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown American Express you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 28.2% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£164.83), it'll cost you around £4.93 in fees.
Can I get additional British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Cards for my team?
Yes, you can request up to 20 more. There's no fee for additional cards. Plus, with additional cards, you could earn avios at a faster rate.
