Best first cards - spending around £500/month

I'm looking to get some credit cards that give travel-related rewards, to better the low cashback rate I'm getting at the moment (spending around £500/month on my Amex cashback card). I was thinking of starting with the Amex Gold (and manufacture an extra £500 spend) and then get the Hilton Barclaycard when that's done.

My credit record is good. My nearest airports are Edinburgh and Glasgow, if that makes a difference.

Am I messing any better options (e.g. with referrals)? Thanks!

 

Depends on what you want to maximise hotels or flights. The Hilton Barclaycard isn’t open for new applications unfortunately.

Definitely get the gold card as it’s free for the first year and has a nice sign up bonus. Other than that consider looking at the
IHG MasterCard - https://credit-card.creation.co.uk/...EFwEbrjYQuvADOJ-E3Zf7-kaCIbJ2NvsaApWvEALw_wcB
SPG Amex - http://amex.co.uk/refer/lukebpxmx?XLINK=MYCP
or
Virgin Atlantic credit card - https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/credit-card.html
all which have a sign up bonus

 

Thanks! I'll apply for the gold card first and then look again.

In terms of the two free lounge passes, if I'm travelling with a companion can I use one and they use the other?

 

Yeah it's the best one to start with for sure! If you want a referral for some extra points let me know....

Yes companion can use no problem.

 

Yep, definitely Gold to begin with. With a referral you get 22,000 points (+2,000 for actually spending the £2k min spend).

Absolutely fine to use your lounge pass for someone else, as long as you are with them.

 

Thanks! Sorry - was too late to PM for a referral code. Will bear that in mind next time...

 

Anyone know how I actually access the airport lounge passes. I've spent 10mins on the amex app then website, and I can't see how to claim them...

 

You should have received them separately in the post

 

Thanks

 

very useful, thank you

 

How about the free BA Amex? 6000 bonus points if you use someone's referral link by spending £1000 in the first 3 months.

 

Thanks again - have the lounge passes now

Any referral offers for the IHG mastercard?

 

Anyone know of any cashback overseas cards? I'm sure Barclaycard offered one at one point?

 

How about Curve linked to a virgin card? No transaction fees and earn flying club miles at the same time

 

I never thought of linking a rewards card to curve to gain the benefits overseas, thanks!

 

very useful, thank you

 

Barclaycard are pretty good

 

I've now got the intro bonuses from the Amex gold and IHG cards. Any suggestions for what next? I was thinking of the SPG card or the BA amex card (though can I still get the bonuses on these after BA has changed their rules?) Anything else I should be looking at?

 

Unfortunately no more bonuses for you due to the new AMEX Rules, only able to once you don't hold a card for 24 months!
If you've looking for a companion ticket feel free to use my referral link above or if you're looking for something different have a look at the Virgin Atlantic CC.

 

Not true. You are eligible for the signup bonus on the premium BA card only. As long as you haven’t held a BA Amex in the past 24 months

If you need a referral - http://amex.co.uk/refer/lukebpxmx?XLINK=MYCP - click view other cards, then click the black BA card and you will get bonus points