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Heathrow Express’ Business First passengers will get fast-track security
June 30, 2022
•
3 min read
Heathrow Express’ Business First passengers will get fast-track security
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As of July 1, all passengers with Business First tickets on the Heathrow Express will also have access to fast-track security lanes once they reach the London area's iconic Heathrow Airport (LHR).
“We’re really excited to be enhancing our Business First product, enabling customers to fly through security, and spend more time relaxing before their flight,” said Mark Eastwood, head of commercial strategy at Heathrow Express, who announced the news at the Business Travel Show Europe.
“We know our customers value speed and convenience, with this new offering further enhancing their departure experience from Heathrow. For those in a rush, we are confident that we will now offer not only an express train, but [also] a quick route to the plane from central London," Eastwood said.
A real game-changer, this business ticket is set to appeal to travelers to the U.K.'s biggest airport now more than ever.
When you compare a one-way fare booked online on Business First ($38.92 or 32 pounds) with the price of a single ticket ($30.41 or 25 pounds), the $8.51 (7 pounds) upgrade is a good value if you’ve already decided to travel to the airport using Heathrow Express anyway.
A one-month open return will set you back $66.89 (55 pounds) and will also include fast-track security once you arrive at Heathrow.
Related: Watch us race to London Heathrow – Elizabeth Line vs Heathrow Express vs taxi
If you’re in no rush to reach the airport, it’s worth keeping in mind that London’s newly-launched Elizabeth line is much cheaper, costing $13 (10.70 pounds) off-peak and $15.45 (12.70 pounds) during peak times — but without security fast track.
The Heathrow Express is one of the costliest railway services in the capital – up to $6 (or 5 pounds), and costing more in economy than on similar Express services to Gatwick and Stanstead. It regularly tops the airport transfer cost table in Europe, too.
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Related: Elizabeth Line set to open in London, giving travelers more transit options to and from the airport
Bottom line
Heading to Heathrow from central or West London this summer? While pricier than some other options, Business First on the Heathrow Express will give you a speedy journey from the train station to the airport.
It will also make life easier when you reach your terminal with the new security fast-track service. If you want to save a little extra money, you should always book online for a better deal.
To see which mode of transport from central to London Heathrow Airport won for speed, read Watch us race to London Heathrow by cab, the Heathrow Express and new Elizabeth Line.
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.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.