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The Lesser Known British Airways Visa Perks: Priority Boarding, 10% Off and Free Bags

April 23, 2012
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3 min read
The Lesser Known British Airways Visa Perks: Priority Boarding, 10% Off and Free Bags
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I got the British Airways Visa 100,000 mile offer last year and since have used some of those miles for friends and family members for short-haul flights. Without fail, each time these people, who don't have elite status with American, are given Priority AAccess (boarding and seat assignment) for these flights. This is not a published benefit, but is a nice little perk for those who like to redeem their BA miles for American Airlines awards - made even better since short- and mid-haul flights can be huge bargains - plus there are no last minute ticketing fees and only $2.50 in taxes per segment.

10% Off BA Tickets

Another little-discussed benefit is the 10% off any British Airways flight feature when you book tickets with your card. I wrote about this back in November, and that promotion is now a full-time feature of the card. You get 10% off any British Airways flight when you use your Chase British Airways Visa card. The great thing about this promo is that the 10% comes off of the total ticket price, including taxes and fees. On top of all this, you also earn an 2.5 miles per dollar spent on BA miles when you use the BA Visa card.

Here's info from the promotion page.

Receive a 10% discount1 on every British Airways round-trip flight booked through ba.com/Chase10 when you use your British Airways Visa®card with promotion code: CARDOFFERU. Flights must be booked and outbound travel completed from now through December 31, 2012. You always get a great deal when you book with us directly and now that deal will be even better.

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10% off when you book through ba.com/Chase10:

  • Discount is off the total cost of the fare (including taxes, fuel and surcharges).
  • Choose from any of British Airways 300+ destinations.
  • Travel in any cabin—World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World or First.
  • Book up to eight friends and family members travelling on the same flight.

Promotion code: CARDOFFERU

Free Bags?

A third benefit that used to be accidentally offered on AA award tickets was two free checked bags. There are reports that this benefit is no longer being offered and indeed the Britishairways.com booking screen confirms 0 checked bags now. I'm curious to see if anyone has any recent experiences getting free checked bags on BA economy awards on American Airlines. The AA system still gives PriorityAAccess by accident, so I wouldn't be surprised if the system thinks people are elite and doesn't charge for bags. I've only recently redeemed for first class awards before the Avios change, so I don't have any experience yet redeeming for domestic coach AA awards.

Potential 2.5 miles

British Airways is also offering many of the people who got the card last year 2.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases for this quarter. I suppose this is a way to keep current cardholders engaged while they promote the new 100,000 mile offer. Even if you don't get the piece of mail, it will automatically register your account so check your statements to see if you are indeed enrolled in getting the 2.5 miles, or call Chase to see if your account is eligible.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.