What you could do with 25,000 points from Amex this summer
There are multiple ways to use this summer’s increased sign-up bonus for the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card. Here are 5, for starters.
If you’re thinking of applying for an Amex card to build up a pile of Membership Rewards® points, or you’re an Amex customer sitting on a pile already, you’ll want to know how to get the most out of the scheme. So here are 5 treats you could enjoy if you play your points right.
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Earn 25,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends for 25,000 Membership Rewards points on 8 August, 2023. T&Cs apply – see terms for more details. UK 18+, subject to status. Learn more
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 88.8% APR (variable).
Certain American Express Cards allow you to earn points when you sign up, and then on your everyday spending, through the Amex Membership Rewards scheme. You can exchange the points for a huge range of rewards – we’ve covered just a few below.
Until 8 August, 2023, the sign-up bonus on the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is 25,000 Membership Rewards – up from the usual 20,000 – if you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months, it’s a good time to check out the full deal.
As soon as you hit the £3,000 minimum spend, you’ll be awarded your points and you should get them within a few weeks – you don’t have to wait for 3 months to be up. You also earn 1% point for every £1 of eligible spending with the Card, and there are some extra ways to top up, too.
This Card has no annual fee for the first year, and then costs £160 a year. It won’t be for everyone, and you can compare a wider range of rewards cards in our guide. But if you’re considering it, read the lowdown on what those 25,000 could get you.
Treat yourself with a spa break
How do I get it? You can use 20,000 points to get yourself a £100 gift voucher to use at Champneys spas. There are 9 locations around England, and you can redeem gift cards online to book or use towards spa days, spa breaks or treatments.
On the Membership Rewards section of the Amex website, and then book with Champneys online. It’s a physical card and you’ll be sent it. Gift cards can be used for new bookings or add-ons only.
We found 50-minute massages starting from around £100.
Points tip
If you signed up during the offer period, you’ve still got 5,000 points left over, and you can get another Beauty and Spa Favourites gift card worth £25. You could spend that on products during your visit.
Take a trip and Airbnb it
How do I get it? With the 25,000 Membership Rewards bonus you could get e-codes for £125 to spend on a stay in the UK or in 190 other countries through Airbnb. Just search for “Airbnb” in the Membership Rewards section on the American Express site.
When you book your trip, go to the “gift” page on Airbnb and follow the prompts – the site will apply the credit when you book.
Points tip
If you book a flight via American Express Travel, you’ll earn triple Membership Rewards on what you spend. And on your trip you could use some of the 4 complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge passes that you get each year with the Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card.
Take in a show
How do I get it? You can use Membership Rewards to get e-code gift cards for Ticketmaster and Theatre Tokens. Theatre Tokens can be used for shows at 260 venues across the UK. Or if you prefer the silver screen, you can use them for an e-code voucher for bookings at Odeon cinemas.
When you book online, you’ll be asked to enter the gift card number and the PIN or security code. In each case, 20,000 points will get you £100 worth of tickets, but you also can get different amounts – starting at £5 with 1,000 points.
Points tip
You can stretch your points further by taking advantage of discounts. You could opt to use your Theatre Tokens at TKTS in London, which offers discounts on certain London shows on the day they’re happening. And cinemagoers can get a special deal with Odeon Kids – on Saturday and Sunday mornings, adults pay kids’ ticket prices.
Take a “National” day off
How do I get it? You could use 10,000 points to get a £50 e-code gift card (or 20,000 for a £100 e-code card) from the Membership Rewards site to spend at the National Trust.
You can use the gift card at more than 500 National Trust sites around the UK, including at its cafés, shops and restaurants, as well as for tickets for entry, and even for booking holiday cottages or annual membership.
Points tip
To make your day out a special one, check the “What’s on?” section of the National Trust site before you go. Here you’ll see loads of events – from craft workshops to minibeast trails – many of which are free.
Throw a summer barbecue
How do I get it? You could use your points towards staying at home and buying some great summer food and drink for your friends and family.
With 10,000 points, you can get a £50 e-code voucher via the Membership Rewards site to spend at Marks & Spencer. And another 10,000 will get you a £50 e-code voucher to spend at Laithwaites wine. Laithwaites has several branches in England, but you can also order online for delivery.
With the remaining 5,000 points, you could get an e-code voucher for Sports Direct and give your guests some outdoor entertainment, such as a giant draughts and chess set, for £12.99. You can use the voucher in Sports Direct stores, or online.
Points tip
Make your points go further by using Laithwaites’ special deals. We found major savings in the Laithwaites “Clearance bin ends” list on the site in May – for example, there was around 40% off a mixed case of 12 white wines, down to £90.
Boost your points pot
You can give your points pile a major boost by adding family members or a partner to your Account, and by inviting a friend, if their application is successful.
If you add family members to your Account, you’ll earn Membership Rewards on their spending. Just remember you, as the Account holder, are responsible for paying the bill.
Inviting a friend who’s then approved will earn you at least 6,000 bonus points, and you can get up to 90,000 points a year this way.
Lastly, it’s worth knowing that every time you spend £5,000, you’ll get 2,500 bonus Membership Rewards points – up to 12,500 per year.
Bottom line
There are multiple ways to spend 25,000 Membership Rewards points – we’ve shown just a few in this guide. And there are plenty of ways to top up your pot. Just remember that rewards cards in general are suited to people who pay off their balance in full each month.
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.
Rewards shown are examples that are subject to availability and may change. Examples valid as of June 2023. Points are earned on every eligible full £1 spent and charged, per transaction. Terms apply.
Liz Edwards has been a consumer writer and editor for more than 20 years. She led award-winning teams at the campaigning publisher Which?, and has covered a range of consumer rights and personal finance topics including pensions, credit, banking and insurance. Liz has appeared frequently in national media such as The Sun, Metro, HuffPost and The Independent. She loves to cut through waffle to give consumers the real lowdown. And she loves puns. See full bio
Liz's expertise
Liz has written 105 Finder guides across topics including:
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