The Lesser Known British Airways Visa Perks: Priority Boarding, 10% Off and Free Bags
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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.
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.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.