How to Get Free British Airways Miles Just for Asking Nicely

April 19, 2011

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2 min read

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Many of you signed up for the BA card with the 50,000 point bonus, so you aren't eligible for the current showstopping 100,000 mile bonanza. However, there are two ways you can get more miles if you've recently signed up for the card:

1) If you got the BA Visa within the past 60 days, you can call Chase and ask them to give you the 100,000k bonus. As long as you are within 60 days, they shouldn't give you any problems.
2) If you got your BA card more than 60 days ago, consider the following technique a savvy TPG reader emailed me. I've talked about the concept of "emailing for points" in the past and it generally yields positive results. In the end, you risk nothing by asking.

"I got in on the 50K offer for the BA card from Chase a few months ago, & decided to call Chase to see if they would give me an additional 50k (the difference between the new offer & the old offer of 50k). The representative declined, as she said I had applied for the card over 60 days ago (their cut off period for awarding additional miles). When I told her that I was thinking of canceling my card, she transferred me to their retention dept., where they gave me an additional 25K just to keep my account open. So, although I didn't get the full 50K I was hoping for, I think the 25K was a generous offer & worth the 5 minute phone call."

I certainly agree . 25k BA miles is enough for an American Airlines domestic roundtrip coach award - for 5 minutes of your time!

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.