ADVERTISEMENT
The perfect day in London: Budget vs. midrange vs. luxury challenge
Nicky Kelvin
Senior director of content
Nicky Kelvin oversees the Webby- and Lovie-awarded U.K. team at TPG. He focuses on aviation, video and social media, especially TPG's hugely successful YouTube channels.
Aug. 01, 2023
•
2 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Nicky Kelvin and Liam Spencer from The Points Guy and prolific travel content creator Maz Green come together for a day in London with a difference: the first of an exciting series of videos coming to The Points Guy Arrivals YouTube channel that sees us try to find the perfect day out in London on three very different budgets.
Nicky tackles the U.K. capital with a budget of just 10 pounds (about $12.85) to play with, Liam takes the challenge to the midrange with 100 pounds ($128.50) and Maz goes wild for her luxe day with 1,000 pounds to spend ($1,285). Each participant enjoys an activity, food (focusing on the popular British tradition of Indian food), drinks and transport.
Check out the video below to see how they got on.
Nicky's budget (10 pounds)
- Activity: Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (free)
- Food: Indian YMCA Hostel Canteen meal (8 pounds)
- Drink: Lidl IPA beer on Primrose Hill (1.09 pounds)
- Transport: Uber bike and a double-decker bus (3.75 pounds)
Liam's midrange budget (100 pounds)
- Activity: Rush tickets for "Six" (25 pounds)
- Food: Lunch at Dishoom (43 pounds)
- Drink: Pints at The Ten Bells pub, Shoreditch (6.50 pounds)
- Transport: Black cab (19.40 pounds)
Maz's luxe budget (1,000 pounds)
- Activity: Private 1-on-1 electronic sound meditation in the Akasha spa of Hotel Cafe Royal (300 pounds)
- Food: Michelin-starred tasting menu in a private dining room at Gymkhana Mayfair (214 pounds)
- Drink: Cocktails at Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London (50 pounds)
- Transport: Uber Lux (60 pounds)
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Check out more videos from TPG:
- What's faster? Watch us race from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train and plane
- Is transatlantic premium economy worth it on the 'Big 3' US airlines?
- First, Club Suite and the rest: Flying the British Airways 777 in all 4 cabins
- What's faster? Watch us race from Barcelona to Madrid by high-speed train and plane
Featured image by K'NUB/GETTY IMAGES
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.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
| 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 |
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
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.
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
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.
Good Credit, Excellent Credit
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.