Maximising spending...
 

Maximising spending with an AMEX Avios points card...

 DrP
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As a serial spender, I'm annoyed that I haven't been 'smarter' with my spending.

I've now signed up to the "British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card" which arrives soon - with my usual spending habbits I should be able to hit the 30k avios intro target.

But, i also want to put 'boring stuff' on there too. It seems that i could pay a few things with it:

-council tax - they take paypal as a payment, so i'll set up the Amex as my main paypal funding source.

-utilities - can pay 'directly', but may lose the DD benefits.. My bills are about £400/month, so that's 600 avious points each month..

-food etc etc... will do all via the Amex.

 

Will make sure to ahve the Amex as my main card on Andriod pay.

 

There doesn't seem to be a way to ay my mortgage via Amex, is there??!!

 

Any other tricks etc I could use it for?

Obviuously, will be paying off the Amex card in full each month as APR is killer!!

Thanks

DrP


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 3:50 pm
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So long as you don't have to spend your Avios with BA <shudders>


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 5:52 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12108
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i've flown BA before - no issues..
What happened with you?

DrP


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 6:12 pm
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Posted by: DrP

 

Any other tricks etc I could use it for?

Set up another PayPal account and pay yourself whenever you feel like it


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 6:24 pm
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Posted by: DrP

i've flown BA before - no issues..
What happened with you?

DrP

Nothing specific they've just gone a bit shite over the years I've flown with them. The only other point with the AMEX cards is they're often not taken as the Merchants fees are higher than MC/VISA which might restrict your cunning plan a bit.

 


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 6:28 pm
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Posted by: andrewh

Posted by: DrP

 

Any other tricks etc I could use it for?

Set up another PayPal account and pay yourself whenever you feel like it

Be careful doing this, as Amex have been known to close accounts.

A few pointers:

- I'm not sure who your energy provider is but a few (we are on Octopus) accept Amex. Change your Direct Debit to £1 and pay the balance on credit card each month.

- See if you can pay your Council Tax at a PayPoint. Those at the Coop accept Amex [EDIT- JUST SEEN YOU DO THESE BUT WILL LEAVE IT HERE FOR OTHERS]

- If you are getting close to your £6k introductory target in 3 (?) months, or close to the £15k target for your CV and the period is nearly ending, think about buying gift vouchers for where you usually shop. Only do this if you know that you will spend them and are fairly confident they won't go bust eg. Aldi where I think you can load up to £500 onto each gift voucher.

- I'm not sure whether BAPP has a bonus for adding an additional cardholder but if so you could do this and just keep the card yourself.

- Always try to pay with your Amex, rather than asking first. Many places don't realise that they actually take it. If you find a merchant doesn't accept Amex, try paying via your phone/watch. Sometimes they will accept Digital payments but not the physical card.
(As an aside I've seen someone have their Amex refused and whack out a Visa Infinite which has higher fees than Amex but all merchants that accept Visa need to accept)

- Don't forget the offers in the app but don't use them as an excuse to overspend.

- If a group of us go out for a meal / drinks I will always pay the bill and then people bank transfer me their share. 

- If you have a trusted friend / family member making a big purchase, offer to put it on your card.

- I can't find a way to pay off mortgage by Amex. Generally this is not allowed as it is repaying debt with a cc.

- Buying Avios with your Amex is often a good ploy if you know what you want to use your Avios for / how much you need. You get a double bonus here especially if there is an Avios Bonus sale on as you'll get the Avios you buy + free Avios in the offer, then you'll get the 1.5 Avios for your Amex spend.

- The obvious answer here however is to buy more bikes :p

 


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 7:34 pm
 DrP
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Amazing! Cheers...

The "buying stuff for family and friends" is a great one, ta.

 

Plus, I know where they live for kneecap smashing debt collection

 

DrP


 
Posted : 27/01/2026 11:58 pm
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Send a child to university and pay their accommodation by Amex. 


 
Posted : 29/01/2026 2:11 pm
nickingsley and nicko74 reacted
 DrP
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Ha - none of you mentioned "buy a new MTB frame"..but i went and did that!

DrP


 
Posted : 03/02/2026 1:01 pm
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... This all sounds a bit like reading Viz Top Tips

 

Wouldn't it be better just to get a [ better paying] job....

DrP

Oh.... 🙄


 
Posted : 03/02/2026 1:28 pm
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 I have an Amex cash back credit card and all of the above apply.

My son, daughter and wife also have cards on the same account which gives me cash back.


 
Posted : 03/02/2026 2:53 pm
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It’s criminal that the more money you have then the easier it is to save 

 

(I’m running away now…..can’t hear you….la…La…La…La…La)


 
Posted : 03/02/2026 3:33 pm
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Posted by: somafunk

It’s criminal that the more money you have then the easier it is to save 

 

exactly this, or conversely the poorer you are (or if in debt) you get rimmed and with little help/offers available.

 


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 3:38 am
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the poorer you are (or if in debt) you get rimmed 

I was poor for a long time and never once did anyone offer to rim me 😞 


 
Posted : 16/02/2026 11:41 pm
 DrP
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Gimmie 300 aviso points and I'll contemplate it...

 

DrP


 
Posted : 19/02/2026 9:29 am