american express uk travel

Everything you need to know about Amex Travel

The American Express Travel portal allows you to redeem Membership Rewards points directly for travel reservations and activities rather than transfer your rewards to airline or hotel partners like Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy .

You also can book discounted premium tickets, use benefits like a 35% points rebate on certain bookings and even book premium hotels with additional perks through Amex Travel.

Let's explore this booking portal to uncover all its benefits and potential disadvantages.

What is the American Express Travel portal?

Amex Travel is the booking portal for most American Express cards . You can book flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises through the site, and you can pay with points, cash or a combination of the two.

How to book flights on the Amex Travel portal

To find flights on American Express Travel, visit this webpage . The flight booking process on the Amex Travel portal is similar to other popular sites like Kayak and Orbitz. You'll find a search box where you can enter your departure and destination cities.

If you're flexible with your departure airport, you can choose an entire city, such as New York, which has multiple airports. Additionally, you can customize your booking by selecting your preferred class and the number of travelers, and choosing between one-way and round-trip flights.

You'll see the price listed in dollars and the number of Amex Membership Rewards points during the booking process.

You can also use the options on the left-hand side to filter flights by number of stops, departure and arrival times, flight duration and airline.

Delta Air Lines is a featured airline in the Amex Travel portal. Sometimes, Delta flights appear at the top of your results, listed as "recommended," but this doesn't mean those flights are always the cheapest.

Additionally, if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and are flying from an airport with a Centurion Lounge , you'll see an indicator that a lounge is available.

Points vs. cash

When paying for your flights on Amex Travel, several American Express cards offer elevated earning rates:

You can also pay with Amex Membership Rewards points to cover the cost of your flight.

You'll see the number of points required next to the cash price of a flight. You can expect a value of 1 cent per point when using Pay with Points . However, TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece when you maximize Amex's transfer partners.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

It's important to compare the number of points required for bookings on Amex Travel with the points you'd need to transfer to an airline program . If you can't book a flight through transfer partners and prefer to use your points, Amex Travel remains an option.

There's an additional benefit for Amex Business Platinum cardmembers: You can get 35% of your points back when paying with points on Amex Travel. This applies to first- and business-class flights on any airline plus tickets in any class on your preferred airline (the same one used for your airline incidental credits ; enrollment is required in advance). This 35% points rebate can provide a value of 1.54 cents per point, which may influence your decision to pay with cash or points.

Similarly, the Business Centurion® Card from American Express offers a 50% Pay with Points rebate on eligible flights. Note that Centurion cards are available by invitation only.

The information for the Business Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

More details about flights through Amex Travel

During the payment process, you can use points, your credit card or a combination of both. The minimum number of points you can use is 5,000, and each point is valued at 1 cent.

You can upgrade your flights using cash or points in the Amex Travel portal. This generally gives you a return of 1 cent each, and you can book using your Amex card, points or a combination of both.

During your flight search, you might come across "Insider Fares" that offer a discounted price. But to benefit from the discount, you must redeem points to cover the full fare amount.

Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers have another benefit: discounted premium tickets through Amex Travel's International Airline Program . This program offers discounts on first-class, business-class and premium economy tickets from over 20 participating airlines.

To book a premium ticket using the IAP, go to the Amex Travel portal and pay with cash or points, including the Business Platinum card's 35% airline rebate. Keep in mind that not all flights are eligible and there are restrictions:

• The cardmember must travel on the itinerary.
• A maximum of eight tickets can be booked per itinerary; travel must begin and end in the U.S. or Canadian international airports.
• Tickets are nonrefundable unless stated otherwise.
• Name changes for passengers are not allowed.

Finally, note that flights booked through Amex Travel are typically treated as normal paid tickets, meaning you're eligible to earn points or miles with participating airline loyalty programs.

Related: Why I love the Amex Business Platinum's Pay with Points perk

How to book hotels on the Amex Travel portal

You can book hotels through American Express Travel with a Gold, Platinum or Centurion card. As with other travel portals, you can input your destination, dates, number of rooms and number of guests (with separate input fields for adults and children).

Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel reservations.

After selecting your hotel, you'll choose your preferred room and pay with points or cash. If you pay with points, you'll only get a value of 0.7 cents per point (compared to 1 cent when you book flights).

Note that these are considered third-party bookings, so you likely won't earn hotel points or elite credits for your stay . While there are reports of people receiving stay credits with Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors on rooms booked through Amex Travel, the hotel is not guaranteed to recognize your elite status in these programs or provide status-qualifying stay credits.

Related: 9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs. booking directly

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts

Platinum and Centurion cardholders also have access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program through Amex Travel. This can add some great benefits to your hotel stays — and may not cost much more than booking directly with the hotel.

Here are the perks you'll receive with every FHR booking, regardless of the length of your stay:

• Room upgrade upon arrival (when available): Some room types may be excluded, but you could receive an upgrade to preferred rooms with better views or a better location in the hotel.
• Daily breakfast for two people: The provided breakfast must be, at a minimum, a continental breakfast.
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique property amenity: The amenity varies by hotel but should be valued at $100 or more and usually consists of a property credit, dining credit, spa credit, private airport transfer or similar amenity.

You'll need to book these stays through Amex Travel, but note that FHR is considered a separate program from Amex Travel.

In addition, if you have the personal Amex Platinum , you can also get up to $200 in statement credits every year for prepaid reservations through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection — which we'll discuss next. Enrollment is required.

Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi

The Hotel Collection

A lesser-known American Express benefit is The Hotel Collection , which allows you to book in cash or with points. Those with Amex Gold, Platinum and Centurion cards have access to this program, which offers the following benefits:

• A room upgrade at check-in (if available)
• $100 on-property credit for qualifying dining, spa and resort activities

Note that The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum stay of two nights, though they too are eligible for the $200 hotel credit on the Amex Platinum.

How to book rental cars and cruises on the Amex Travel portal

Reserving a car in the Amex portal is relatively simple. You'll input your pickup and drop-off times and location.

You'll see rental car prices listed in cash and points. When using Pay with Points , your points are worth 0.7 cents — just over a third of TPG's valuation of Amex Membership Rewards points.

Although the format differs, you can also search for cruises on Amex Travel.

Rather than typing specific dates and numbers of passengers, you'll see four drop-down menus. These allow you to choose a destination (by region), filter by cruise lines and choose a month for travel — though not specific dates — on this first page. You can also select your desired cruise duration.

From here, you can filter by cruise duration, departure port and ship. You can sort your results by sailing date, value, price or ship rating.

On the final payment page, you can use your card or redeem points, ranging from 1 point to enough to cover the entire cost. Using points for a cruise will result in a low valuation of 0.7 cents per point, but it can be a money-saving option if you prefer not to spend cash.

There's another benefit available if you're a Platinum or Centurion cardholder (including personal and business versions of these cards): the Cruise Privileges Program .

This is available on cruises of five nights or more with select cruise lines, and it offers the following perks:

• $100-$500 in onboard ship credit (note that this cannot be used for casino or gratuity charges)
• Additional onboard amenities vary by line, such as spa vouchers, a bottle of Champagne, shore excursion credits or a private ship tour

Note that the Platinum cardmember must be one of the travelers on the cruise to enjoy these benefits.

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Further things to consider about Amex Travel

When booking through the Amex Travel portal, there are a few factors to consider.

First, using Amex Membership Rewards points on Amex Travel may not provide the best value compared to transferring points to airline or hotel loyalty programs. The Pay with Points feature typically values points at 0.7 to 1 cent per point, which is far lower than our 2-cent valuation .

Additionally, the prices on Amex Travel may not always be the most competitive, so we recommend checking other platforms like Google Flights before booking your travel. Also, booking directly with hotels is advised for those seeking to utilize elite status benefits.

When you need to change your upcoming trips booked through Amex Travel, it can get complicated. You may encounter change and cancellation fees, often around $75, and making a change requires a phone call. Flight credit vouchers from cancellations can only be used for rebooking through Amex Travel via phone.

On the positive side, Amex Travel allows a 24-hour cancellation window for most reservations, and booking flights through the site generally still qualifies for earning miles and status with airline loyalty programs.

Related: Redeeming American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Bottom line

American Express Travel offers an array of booking options, including the ability to earn bonus Membership Rewards points on select purchases. Although you can use your points to book hotels, flights, rental cars and cruises through Amex Travel, you can get more from your points when you transfer them to Amex's airline and hotel partners .

However, there are exceptions, such as when there is no award availability for last-minute travel. In addition, Amex Travel offers perks like discounted premium flights, added benefits with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and a user-friendly interface. And with a simple redemption scheme that doesn't involve complicated loyalty programs and transfer partners, many Amex cardholders prefer it when planning their trips.

Additional reporting by Ryan Patterson and Kyle Olsen.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

American Express Travel: Your Guide to Booking Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, & Cruises

Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

440 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 21 U.S. States Visited: 24

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3109 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1171 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

What Is AmexTravel.com?

Fees for using the portal, searching for flights, insider fares, the hotel collection, american express fine hotels and resorts, standard hotel booking, searching for packages, compare flights+hotel to booking separately, searching for cruises, special offers, cruise privileges program, amextravel.com insiders, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

American Express is best known as a credit card issuer, but the company also offers other products and services, including travel booking and planning using AmexTravel.com.

While AmexTravel.com is available for anyone (not just cardmembers), holding an Amex card can definitely help you get extra value when using the program.

Here’s a look at what AmexTravel.com is, what services it provides, what the cost to use, the best ways to use it, and when it’s worth using!

At its most basic, AmexTravel.com is an online travel booking portal (or “online travel agency”) just like Expedia , Kayak , and Orbitz .

You can use it to book a whole trip or just a flight, hotel (or flight + hotel packages), rental cars, or even cruises. If you’d like extra assistance from a customer service agent, you can book by phone as well.

Flights booked through the portal can be subject to small fees. However, sometimes the benefits can make these fees worth it, and they’re waived for holders of the Platinum Card ® from American Express .

There are also a few “sub-categories” that fall under the AmexTravel.com umbrella, including the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts .

Why Should You Use AmexTravel.com?

The main reason to book with AmexTravel.com is the incredible customer service . If you run into any problems during your trip (like delays, cancellations, over-bookings, etc.), you can connect with a live travel agent by phone 24/7 who will work with you to find a solution.

Additionally, if you hold an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can often earn 2x points or more by using it to pay for travel services booked through AmexTravel.com.

Hot Tip:  If you use your Amex Platinum card , you can earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com. 

Anytime you book a flight through AmexTravel.com (either on its own or as part of a package), you’ll pay a fee of $6.99 for domestic flights and $10.99 for international flights .

These fees are waived if you have the Amex Platinum card and are logged into your account.

If you choose to book a flight by phone rather than online, there’s an added $39 phone service fee .

If you make changes to your flight, there’s a $39 reissue fee in addition to whatever fee the airline charges. This only applies to advance changes, not changes due to problems like canceled flights .

Below, we’ll take a look at how to use AmexTravel.com to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, rental cars, and cruises.

Booking Flights With AmexTravel.com

Searching for flights with AmexTravel.com is similar to other online travel agencies. You can search by city or by specific airport, select your departure and return dates, and click whether you want to search for lower fares within 3 days of your chosen dates.

On the results page, American Express lists the most relevant Delta result at the top highlighted as a “featured airline.” The featured airline is followed by the lowest available fares.

When you scroll down, you can use the controls on the left sidebar to filter the results by the number of stops, departure/arrival times, airline, or even specific flight number.

By default, flights are displayed in price order starting with the lowest, except for a featured Delta flight at the top (when available). At the top of the search window above the results, all available airlines are shown, as well as the lowest available price with each airline.

Depending on your search, you may see a blue tab labeled “Insider Fares Available” above some of the airlines listed at the top of the search window.

These are discounted fares, and they only apply if you pay for the entire flight with Membership Rewards rather than cash. Note that cash prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

If you’re logged in and have enough Membership Rewards points to cover the entire flight, you will be able to see these discounted fares.

For example, in the below search, you’ll see an example of an Insider Fare available for purchase. The Insider Fare offered a slight discount rather than just matching the cash price in points with each point worth 1 cent (more on that below).

The difference can be fairly minimal. In the JFK-ATL example above, the discount was from 25,259 Membership Rewards points to 24,120 — changing the value from 1 cent per point to about 1.05 cents per point .

Amextravel.com charges a fee to book, but they bundle this into the displayed price. The fee is $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket. These fees are waived as a benefit of the Amex Platinum card , just make sure you’re logged into your Amex account when booking.

Hot Tip: AmexTravel.com now offers Trip Cancel Guard coverage that you can add when purchasing flights via AmexTravel.com whether paying with an American Express card, with Membership Rewards points using the Pay With Points option, or a combination of both. It provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of the non-refundable prepaid flight expense, penalty and change fees caused by the cancellation, or the amount of any expired vouchers/flight credits received for the canceled flight. Coverage is applicable when your flight is canceled for any reason and is valid until 2 full calendar days prior to your trip’s originally scheduled departure date.

When searching several different flights across different online travel agents, we found similar results to the below example each time.

To compare prices, we searched multiple online travel agents and portals using the same search parameters: departing John F. Kennedy-New York (JFK), arriving at London-Heathrow International (LHR), round-trip, 1 traveler, economy, and nonstop on specific dates.

We selected the lowest-priced nonstop flight available through AmexTravel.com: a Finnair flight operated by Oneworld partner , American Airlines.

When searching on AmexTravel.com, the flight was $595.86. This breaks down to $133 in base fare and $462.86 of government, airline, and American Express-imposed fees.

We received the same search results when we replicated this search on Finnair’s U.S. website, Kayak, and Orbitz.

In a second search, we looked for a domestic round-trip from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) to Los Angeles International (LAX) on the same dates. This flight was priced at $199.40. Keep in mind, you would usually see this rate plus the $6.99 Amex booking fee, but again, this is waived for Amex Platinum cardholders.

When cross-referencing this itinerary on Delta’s website, we found the same price listed for a regular economy fare of $199.40. However, there was a basic economy option that was a bit cheaper, which was not available through AmexTravel.com.

Other online travel portals, including Orbitz and Kayak , listed the same price.

This means, if you’re already set on the specific itinerary you want to fly, booking through AmexTravel.com can often cost the same as booking directly with the airline, or through a third party . This assumes you receive waived booking fees for being an Amex Platinum cardholder.

However, what if you’re just looking for the cheapest flight on a particular day? If you do a general search for a route on set dates, will AmexTravel.com find the same rates as other portals? In our experience, the answer is no.

In our example search, here are the lowest available regular economy non-stop flights we could find between New York (any airport) and London (any airport) when searching the same set of dates on a few different websites (sorted by price ascending):

*Including a $10.99 AmexTravel.com booking fee.

The reason for these results is likely due to the fact that the Amex portal doesn’t include some low-cost carriers like Norwegian, so travel portals that do will often win on price.

Even excluding the low-cost carriers, though, other portals like Expedia and Orbitz were able to offer lower fares by about $15.

That said, AmexTravel.com was able to find about the same fares you would find when booking directly with an airline.

Hot Tip: If you hold The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express you can get a 35% rebate on select flights when you pay with points through AmexTravel.com.

AmexTravel.com Hotel Programs

There are actually 3 programs offered for booking hotels:

• Fine Hotels and Resorts
• AmexTravel.com booking (standard)

What Is The Hotel Collection?

The Hotel Collection is a program through AmexTravel.com only available to holders of certain cards:

• The American Express ® Gold Card and the American Express ® Business Gold Card

The Amex Platinum card and the Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Centurion card

Perks of The Hotel Collection

When you book a hotel through The Hotel Collection, you get certain perks including:

• Room upgrade at check-in (if available)
• Up to a $100 hotel credit for on-site amenities like the restaurant, bar, room service, or spa
• Ability to use Pay With Points on prepaid reservations
• 3x Membership Rewards points for Amex Gold cardholders on prepaid bookings
• 5x Membership Rewards points for Amex Platinum cardholders on prepaid reservations
• Up to $200 credit each year towards prepaid hotel reservations with either The Hotel Collection (2-night stay) or Fine Hotels and Resorts with select credit cards

Usually, American Express guarantees that any hotel booked through AmexTravel.com will have the lowest publicly-available rates (prepaid rates only), but this rule does not apply to bookings through The Hotel Collection per the terms & conditions . Be certain to check multiple booking options to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Rooms have to be booked through AmexTravel.com. That means that if you book directly through the hotel or another service, you won’t get the perks, even if the hotel is a part of The Hotel Collection and you pay for the stay with your American Express card.

Further, you must stay a minimum of 2 nights , and you cannot book consecutive stays within 24 hours of each other.

The good news is that these benefits are available for up to 3 rooms per stay . So if you book 3 rooms for family members, you’ll get a total hotel service credit of up to $300.

Hotel Points and Elite Benefits

Typically, you won’t earn points through a hotel loyalty program if you book through a third party, and this includes the AmexTravel.com portal.

Further, you won’t get any elite benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to if you have status with that hotel chain.

Bottom Line:  The Hotel Collection is potentially useful if you’re planning to pay with your eligible Membership Rewards-earning card. This comes at the expense of hotel-specific elite benefits, including points and elite credits in any hotel loyalty program.

What Is the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program?

AmexTravel.com runs a second hotel program called Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR). It can be a little bit confusing since it sounds like it would overlap with the Hotel Collection, but that’s not the case.

The Fine Hotels and Resorts program is exclusive to Amex Platinum cardholders (personal or business) , as well as those with the invitation-only Centurion Card .

FHR includes different hotels and resorts than The Hotel Collection, with minimal overlap. The FHR collection tends to be more geared toward leisure travelers who wish to book stays at higher-end properties.

Perks of Fine Hotels and Resorts

Booking hotels through the Fine Hotels and Resorts collection entitles you to a handful of potentially valuable perks, including:

• Early noon check-in (when available)
• Room upgrade on arrival (when available)
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• A unique amenity valued at $100 or more; examples include a property credit, dining credit, spa credit, or similar amenity

Unlike The Hotel Collection, rooms booked through Fine Hotels and Resorts are not all prepaid. In fact, most are standard rates that you’ll pay for at the end of your stay when you check out. In comparing several properties, including the Park Hyatt in Chicago, we found rates identical to the non-prepaid rates when booking directly through the hotel.

However, keep in mind that the hotel may directly offer prepaid and early-purchase options which may be much cheaper, though you won’t benefit from the Fine Hotels and Resorts perks.

There are fewer terms with Fine Hotels and Resorts than with The Hotel Collection. You must book through AmexTravel.com/FHR to receive the benefits .

As with The Hotel Collection, if you book directly with the hotel or through a different travel agency or portal, you won’t be able to claim FHR benefits even if it’s a participating hotel. Other terms vary by property.

Good news here! Unlike stays booked through The Hotel Collection, stays through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts count as “qualifying rates” for hotel loyalty programs. That means if you’re staying at a hotel that’s part of a loyalty program, you’ll be able to earn points and receive the relevant benefits if you hold elite status.

Hot Tip: Want to know about the differences between these programs? Dig into our dedicated guide on the differences between the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts .

Searching Hotels

Searching for hotels at AmexTravel.com works more or less the same as with flights. You enter your city, dates, number of rooms, and guests. You can check a box to have properties from The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts displayed at the top.

Of course, if you’re interested in booking through either of those programs, you could also just book on their dedicated pages.

By default, search results are ranked by “recommended,” which seems to be decided by an algorithm factoring in price, location, and reviews.

Terms vary by the specific hotel and rate you book, so make sure to read the fine print.

The site can be a bit confusing when trying to compare prices since American Express doesn’t include all taxes and fees in the price displayed (while some hotel websites do).

For example, we searched for a 4-night stay at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. American Express quoted an average of $337/night, which should make the total stay around $1,348. When you go to book, though, the total with fees is $1,625.

While it initially looks more expensive to book directly with Hyatt (where the cost is quoted at $404/night), that price includes all taxes and fees , so you’ll actually pay $1,611, or $14 less.

Our search for the Marriott Regent Park yielded similar results. It’s listed at $233/night in the search function, which implies the total to be $932.

In reality, once you click through, the total is $1,120. Booking directly with Marriott, rates are listed at $261/night, but that includes taxes and fees — for a total prepaid rate of $1,080.

For the 2 hotels in question, here’s how total prices compared through different portals (sorted by price ascending):

In both tickets, AmexTravel.com was within a few dollars of the other online travel agencies, which were all more expensive than booking directly through the hotel’s website.

Similar to The Hotel Collection, rates booked through AmexTravel.com aren’t eligible for elite benefits or hotel loyalty points.

Bottom Line:  Like most other online travel portals and agencies, prices can vary between AmexTravel.com and the hotel’s direct booking channel. You won’t get elite benefits or hotel points, so it might be worth booking directly if those are valuable to you. 

Flights+Hotel Packages

Like with many online travel portals and even airline websites, you can book packages that include flights and hotels through AmexTravel.com. Usually, the point of booking these packages is to get a discount, special perks, or promotions.

The search window for Flights+Hotels is simple: input airports (or cities), dates, number of travelers, and rooms. Results are listed in a recommended order by default just like when searching for a standard hotel.

Terms vary by the specific package you book, so make sure to read the fine print !

As with standalone flight reservations, AmexTravel.com charges a fee to book Flights+Hotel packages: $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket .

Again, these fees are waived for holders of the Amex Platinum card  or the Centurion card.

In the results field, a total starting price  per person is listed, including all taxes and fees with the cheapest flight option. American Express also lists how much you’re saving with the package, although this is missing for some hotels.

Once you select the hotel, you can customize your flight. The total price changes based on which flight you select.

In a sample search, we chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and picked the cheapest nonstop flight: British Airways flight, which was Newark Liberty International (EWR) to LHR and London-Gatwick (LGW) to JFK. The package came to $1,446 per person, or $2,892 total.

Annoyingly, AmexTravel.com doesn’t show a breakdown of hotel and airfare costs and fees; instead, it just displays a total per person.

For comparison, you can search the flight and hotels separately. We tried searching for the flight first on the same day.

We found Finnair flights operated by American Airlines for $660 per person — an option that wasn’t offered as part of the package (although with the booking fee, the flights should have been $671). When we filtered the search to British Airways only, it showed a ton of options for $671.

Searching hotels next, we again chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill’s lowest prepaid rate. It was listed as $337 per night for 1 room (plus taxes and fees), for a total of $2,031. For the 2 flights and the hotel, that comes to a total of $3,351, or $1,675.50 per person.

In this case, booking the trip as a package saves almost $460, even though the search results page didn’t highlight any savings specifically.

The main downside to booking a package is that you have less flexibility. Say you want to change hotels for part of the trip or maybe stay with a friend for the last few days. This isn’t an option because you must book a single hotel for the entire time between your flights. It can also make solutions harder to find if there are any problems — although the AmexTravel.com customer support should make up for that.

Bottom Line:  If you’re using AmexTravel.com and your plans allow for the lack of flexibility, you might be able to save a lot of money with a package. Just make sure to compare the listed price to booking everything separately. Note that you can’t book a package retroactively: you have to book the flights and hotel at the same time. 

Rental Cars

AmexTravel.com also offers a rental car booking service. You can make reservations from rental stations at airports and elsewhere.

To search for rental cars, simply enter an airport or city . You can also click a button to search near a specific address.

Results are shown in a handy grid format, with each column showing a different rental company, and each row displaying the pricing for a different category of car (economy, compact, midsize, and so on).

Bookings of up to 4 days are charged a daily rate, while bookings 5-7 days are charged on a weekly basis. There are specific rates for weekends and weekdays, as well as monthly options, with specific details varying by the rental agency.

In several sample searches, prices were generally consistent with other online travel agencies — though sometimes lower by $1-$2/day. Prices were identical to booking with the rental company directly.

Bottom Line:  Renting a car through AmexTravel.com doesn’t get you any benefits above what you’d receive for paying with your credit card, such as the collision damage waiver for paying with your Amex Platinum card. However, the convenient search page makes it a great option for comparing multiple prices at once. 

AmexTravel.com also offers tools to book cruises . In addition to letting you search for cruises all over the world, AmexTravel.com periodically highlights special offers on cruises, usually in the form of credits to use onboard.

To search for cruises, you need to enter the region you want to travel in, the cruise line(s) you want to travel with (or search all available lines), the month you’re planning the trip for, and the approximate length of the cruise you want.

Results are shown in order, from the lowest-priced option to the highest . Note that this is based on the lowest available rate; hovering over any result will show all available cabin types and the corresponding prices.

Under each result, the information shown includes the port of departure/return, date of departure, and ports visited.

Hot Tip:  Wondering what to pack for your time at sea? Check out our ultimate cruise-based packing list  — it’s printable and complete with tons of tips and advice!

Cruise rates booked through AmexTravel.com were within $1-2 of rates found on other online travel agents and websites . We found identical prices on the various cruise company websites — though each online travel portal and cruise line offers different promotions, so it might be worth comparing them.

For example, during a sample search for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in December, we found that Royal Caribbean was offering a $50 onboard credit if you booked directly.

On the search results page, you might notice a tab labeled “Special Offers.” Those offers are generally onboard credits, but can also include discounts or other special features. If you aren’t committed to a specific cruise line, these are often worth exploring.

Those with the Amex Platinum card have special access to the Cruise Privileges Program . Like the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, this is only available on specific cruises, although it’s more limited than FHR.

It includes onboard credit (often higher than otherwise offered) and a special onboard amenity, like complimentary dinner for 2 or a bottle of premium champagne.

Bottom Line: It can be worth booking a cruise through AmexTravel.com, especially if there are special offers. Make sure to compare different booking sites , though, as some may have better or exclusive promotions.

AmexTravel.com offers a feature called Travel Insiders. When you use the program, American Express connects you with a travel expert who can help you plan an itinerary based around your desired destination. Fees vary based on location, length of the trip, and details of the itinerary.

AmexTravel.com can be a very useful tool when booking flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, or rental cars. In many cases, it may not offer the best rate options , but it’s worth comparing to other booking sites and airlines or hotels directly.

If you have an American Express card that offers access to the Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels and Resorts, the perks can be very worthwhile.

Additionally, the extra Membership Rewards points you earn by booking through AmexTravel.com can be valuable, as long as the price is right.

Aside from the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts, the real value of AmexTravel.com is in the customer service provided. Booking a trip on your own is easy — dealing with problems when they arise can be less so!

If you book through AmexTravel.com, you’ll have easy access to someone who can help you get on a new flight, find a new hotel, or manage whatever other issues come up day or night. So if you’re looking to have that extra support, then AmexTravel.com might be a great choice for you!

The information regarding the Centurion ® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is american express travel.

AmexTravel.com is an O nline  T ravel  A gency (OTA), just like Orbitz , Kayak , or Expedia . You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com.

Do I need an American Express card to use Amex Travel services?

Whether or not you have an American Express card, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com. If you do have an Amex card, you might be eligible for certain perks or rewards.

Does American Express Travel cost anything?

If you book a flight through AmexTravel.com, there’s a small fee ($6.99 for domestic flights, $10.99 for international) that fee is waived for Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, and Centurion cardmembers. Other services, like hotels and cruises, do not have fees.

Why should I book with American Express Travel?

AmexTravel.com has very helpful customer service resources. If you have any problems with your trip (like a canceled flight), you can call an agent who can help solve the issue.

Was this page helpful?

About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Auto Insurance Best Car Insurance Cheapest Car Insurance Compare Car Insurance Quotes Best Car Insurance For Young Drivers Best Auto & Home Bundles Cheapest Cars To Insure
• Home Insurance Best Home Insurance Best Renters Insurance Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Types Of Homeowners Insurance
• Life Insurance Best Life Insurance Best Term Life Insurance Best Senior Life Insurance Best Whole Life Insurance Best No Exam Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance Best Pet Insurance Cheap Pet Insurance Pet Insurance Costs Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
• Travel Insurance Best Travel Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Best Cruise Travel Insurance Best Senior Travel Insurance
• Health Insurance Best Health Insurance Plans Best Affordable Health Insurance Best Dental Insurance Best Vision Insurance Best Disability Insurance
• Credit Cards Best Credit Cards 2024 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Rewards Credit Cards Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Best 0% APR Credit Cards Best Business Credit Cards Best Credit Cards for Startups Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Best Cards for Students without Credit
• Credit Card Reviews Chase Sapphire Preferred Wells Fargo Active Cash® Chase Sapphire Reserve Citi Double Cash Citi Diamond Preferred Chase Ink Business Unlimited American Express Blue Business Plus
• Credit Card by Issuer Best Chase Credit Cards Best American Express Credit Cards Best Bank of America Credit Cards Best Visa Credit Cards
• Credit Score Best Credit Monitoring Services Best Identity Theft Protection
• CDs Best CD Rates Best No Penalty CDs Best Jumbo CD Rates Best 3 Month CD Rates Best 6 Month CD Rates Best 9 Month CD Rates Best 1 Year CD Rates Best 2 Year CD Rates Best 5 Year CD Rates
• Checking Best High-Yield Checking Accounts Best Checking Accounts Best No Fee Checking Accounts Best Teen Checking Accounts Best Student Checking Accounts Best Joint Checking Accounts Best Business Checking Accounts Best Free Checking Accounts
• Savings Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Best Free No-Fee Savings Accounts Simple Savings Calculator Monthly Budget Calculator: 50/30/20
• Mortgages Best Mortgage Lenders Best Online Mortgage Lenders Current Mortgage Rates Best HELOC Rates Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders Best Home Equity Loan Lenders Best VA Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Refinance Rates Mortgage Interest Rate Forecast
• Personal Loans Best Personal Loans Best Debt Consolidation Loans Best Emergency Loans Best Home Improvement Loans Best Bad Credit Loans Best Installment Loans For Bad Credit Best Personal Loans For Fair Credit Best Low Interest Personal Loans
• Student Loans Best Student Loans Best Student Loan Refinance Best Student Loans for Bad or No Credit Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Business Loans Best Business Loans Best Business Lines of Credit Apply For A Business Loan Business Loan vs. Business Line Of Credit What Is An SBA Loan?
• Investing Best Online Brokers Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Best Low-Risk Investments Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Now Best S&P 500 Index Funds Best Stocks For Beginners How To Make Money From Investing In Stocks
• Retirement Best Gold IRAs Best Investments for a Roth IRA Best Bitcoin IRAs Protecting Your 401(k) In a Recession Types of IRAs Roth vs Traditional IRA How To Open A Roth IRA
• Business Formation Best LLC Services Best Registered Agent Services How To Start An LLC How To Start A Business
• Web Design & Hosting Best Website Builders Best E-commerce Platforms Best Domain Registrar
• HR & Payroll Best Payroll Software Best HR Software Best HRIS Systems Best Recruiting Software Best Applicant Tracking Systems
• Payment Processing Best Credit Card Processing Companies Best POS Systems Best Merchant Services Best Credit Card Readers How To Accept Credit Cards
• More Business Solutions Best VPNs Best VoIP Services Best Project Management Software Best CRM Software Best Accounting Software
• Manage Topics
• Investigations
• Visual Explainers
• Newsletters
• Abortion news
• Coronavirus
• Climate Change
• Vertical Storytelling
• Corrections Policy
• College Football
• High School Sports
• H.S. Sports Awards
• Sports Betting
• College Basketball (M)
• College Basketball (W)
• For The Win
• Sports Pulse
• Weekly Pulse
• Buy Tickets
• Sports Seriously
• Sports+ States
• Celebrities
• Entertainment This!
• Celebrity Deaths
• American Influencer Awards
• Women of the Century
• Problem Solved
• Personal Finance
• Small Business
• Consumer Recalls
• Video Games
• Product Reviews
• Destinations
• Airline News
• Experience America
• Today's Debate
• Suzette Hackney
• Policing the USA
• Meet the Editorial Board
• How to Submit Content
• Hidden Common Ground
• Race in America

Personal Loans

Best Personal Loans

Auto Insurance

Best Auto Insurance

Best High-Yields Savings Accounts

CREDIT CARDS

Best Credit Cards

Advertiser Disclosure

Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Credit Cards

The complete guide to the Amex Travel portal

Carissa Rawson

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Published 7:39 a.m. UTC Feb. 28, 2024

• path]:fill-[#49619B]" alt="Facebook" width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 18 18" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
• path]:fill-[#202020]" alt="Email" width="19" height="14" viewBox="0 0 19 14" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

onurdongel, Getty Images

The American Express Travel portal offers valuable benefits to American Express cardholders, including special prices. Depending on which card you hold, you may also be able to pay for travel with Membership Rewards® points and get access to perks such as discounted airfare and specialty benefits at luxury hotels. Let’s take a look at how the Amex Travel portal works, whether the benefits are worthwhile and who can access Amex Travel’s website. 

• American Express Travel offers hotels, vacation rentals, flights, rental cars and cruises.
• Luxury hotel benefits and discounted airfare are two benefits of booking through Amex’s travel portal. 
• American Express cardholders can access Amex Travel. 

How to book travel through the Amex Travel portal

Booking travel through the Amex Travel portal requires you to have an online account associated with an Amex card. While you can complete a search on the Amex Travel website without logging in, you will need to do so in order to make a booking.

After you choose whether to book a flight, hotel, vacation rental, vacation package, rental car or cruise, you’ll need to enter your travel details.

For example, if you want to book a flight through Amex Travel, you’ll need to put in your departure airport and destination as well as your dates of travel. The site will then bring up a list of matching results.

You can filter based on when the flights take off as well as how many stops you’re willing to tolerate, among other options. 

The Amex Travel site offers a wide variety of hotel stays and flights, but you’ll always want to double check elsewhere before booking since it doesn’t always feature every option. 

Once you’ve selected a booking, you’ll be taken through the checkout process. This includes providing your personal information and can also include seat requests and adding in loyalty program numbers.

To pay for your booking, you can use your American Express Membership Rewards, if you have a card that earns them, or your American Express card or a combination of both. 

After you’ve booked, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing your reservation information. You can also find your bookings under the My Trips section of Amex Travel.

Who can use the portal?

Any American Express cardholder can use the Amex Travel portal to book travel. But those whose cards don’t earn Amex Membership Rewards points will need to pay with their Amex card.

However, many American Express cards  earn Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel through the Amex Travel portal. These cards include (terms apply):

The Platinum Card® from American Express

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• American Express® Business Gold Card * The information for the American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All information about American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Is the portal worth using?

The Amex Travel portal can be worth using in certain cases, though it won’t always make sense. For example, some flights aren’t bookable via Amex Travel, so if what you need isn’t available you’ll want to look elsewhere.

That being said, those with certain cards are entitled to exclusive benefits that can lower prices or allow them to redeem points for travel. There are also perks for booking luxury hotels within the portal. In these cases, Amex Travel is definitely worth investigating. 

How to maximize your Amex Travel benefits through the portal

International airline program.

Available to those who hold a high-end American Express card, including The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express and the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the International Airline Program (IAP) can save you money on certain international flights booked via the Amex Travel portal. 

All information about American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

This benefit is only available on tickets booked in premium economy, business or first class, but the savings can be significant. 

For example, we looked at a round-trip flight in premium economy from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (NRT). Booking with Japan Airlines (JAL) directly resulted in a cost of $4,431.40, while the Amex Travel portal and the IAP charged just $3,797.40 for a savings of over $600.

Fine Hotels + Resorts ® and The Hotel Collection

American Express also offers the Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection to eligible cardholders. 

Fine Hotels and Resorts allows guests to book luxury hotels with special benefits. These include room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, an experience credit, late check-out, early check-in and more. 

The Hotel Collection offers similar but less exorbitant benefits. It’s directed toward more midscale properties and includes an experience credit as well as a room upgrade. 

35% rebate on redeemed points

Those who hold The Business Platinum Card from American Express are able to get a 35% rebate on points redeemed for eligible flights booked through the Amex Travel portal (up to 1,000,000 points per calendar year). 

Eligible flights include all fare classes on an airline that you select each year. It also includes first and business class tickets on any airline. 

Quick guide to Amex Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards are the points you earn with eligible Amex cards. These highly flexible and valuable points can be redeemed in a number of ways, though they tend to be most valuable when transferred to Amex airline partners.

Other ways of redeeming Amex points include:

• Gift cards.
• Travel booked via Amex Travel.
• Online shopping. 
• Statement credits. 

While these are nice options to have, you’ll generally get much less value from your Membership Rewards points by redeeming them in these ways. Finally, although you can redeem your points in the Amex Travel portal, this isn’t necessarily a good idea if you aim to reap maximum value. Even if you’re taking advantage of the 35% rebate on redeemed points for flights, you’ll only ever receive a value of 1.54 cents per point. This is lower than you’d expect when transferring your Amex points to many airline and hotel partners. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

No, travel insurance is not automatically included when booking through the Amex portal. But many of the best credit cards feature complimentary travel insurance when using your card to pay, including those from American Express. Otherwise, you may be able to opt in to travel insurance during the booking process or via a third party provider.

Those with the The Platinum Card from American Express can earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. The card has an annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees ). 

Those with the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , meanwhile, earn 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per $1 at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, shipping providers, and purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million per calendar year and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. The card has a $695 annual fee.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

The phone number for American Express Travel is: 1-800-297-2977.

The number of Amex points that you’ll need to redeem for a flight will depend on the cash cost of your flight and whether you’re booking through Amex Travel or transferring your Membership Rewards points to an Amex airline partner. Amex Points are worth about one cent when booking flights through the portal, so a flight that costs $500 in cash would require about 50,000 Amex points. You’ll typically get a better deal with transfer partners than booking through the portal.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

*The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Carissa Rawson is a credit cards and award travel expert with nearly a decade of experience. You can find her work in a variety of publications, including Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, The Points Guy, Investopedia, and more. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her in your nearest airport lounge sipping a coffee before her next flight.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Can you pay off one credit card with another?

Credit Cards Louis DeNicola

Amex Gold vs. Platinum

Credit Cards Harrison Pierce

Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my first ever rewards card

Credit Cards Sarah Li Cain

How to use Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

Credit Cards Ariana Arghandewal

How I maximize my Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card

Credit Cards Lee Huffman

How to do a balance transfer with Discover

9 ways to maximize the Citi Custom Cash card’s 5% cash-back categories

American Express Business Platinum benefits guide 2024

Credit Cards Chris Dong

Why I applied for the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Credit Cards Jason Steele

Which Citi balance transfer card should I get?

Credit Cards Julie Sherrier

5 reasons why the Citi Diamond Preferred is great for paying down debt

Credit Cards Michelle Lambright Black

Welcome offer on Chase’s IHG One Rewards Premier Business card soars to 175K points

Credit Cards Carissa Rawson

You might be a small business owner and not even know it

Chase Freedom Flex benefits guide 2024

6 ways to maximize the Citi Double Cash Card

Credit Cards Ben Luthi

• 0808 274 5111
• Live Chat (Online) Live Chat (Offline)
• My Wishlist
• Find a Trip

Your browser 'Internet Explorer' is out of date. Update your browser for more security, comfort and the best experience on this site.

Mexico Real Food Adventure

9 days from 1481.

Take a 9-day culinary journey through Mexico, tasting the flavours of Oaxaca, Puebla,...

Vietnam Real Food Adventure

12 days from 1523.

Travel the breadth of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing Halong Bay,...

Sri Lanka Real Food Adventure

12 days from 1644.

Take a food-filled journey through Sri Lanka, spending 12 days cooking and eating in...

Italy Real Food Adventure

8 days from 2311.

From Venice to Rome, you’ll indulge in the best things to eat in Italy, with stops in...

Japan Real Food Adventure

11 days from 3008.

Take a foodie’s adventure to Japan, starting in Tokyo and hitting the streets of...

Greece Real Food Adventure

9 days from 2390.

Meet passionate cooks and producers on a food adventure in Greece, via amazing ancient...

Cambodia Real Food Adventure

8 days from 896.

Munch your way through Cambodia on this mouth-watering food adventure from Phnom Penh...

Jordan Real Food Adventure

6 days from 1183.

Discover diverse heritage and delicious dishes on a 6-day food-focused journey through...

Thailand Real Food Adventure

8 days from 942.

Take an 8-day Intrepid tour to Thailand, full of adventure, fun and flavour. Explore...

18 to 35s Adventures

Essential vietnam, 11 days from 480.

Take an awesome trip through Vietnam. Head from old-world Hanoi to ancient Hue, Hoi An,...

Real Central America

16 days from 991.

Explore Mexico, Belize and Guatemala on this Central American adventure. Experience...

Essential Japan

10 days from 1305.

Shop in Tokyo, see Samurais in Kanazawa, soak up history in Hiroshima, wander the...

Essential Morocco

12 days from 515.

Check out the best bits of Morocco, in Casablanca, Fes, Chefchaouen and Marrakech on a...

Real Mexico

14 days from 884.

Explore the best of Mexico with an adventure through Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque,...

Real Peru to Bolivia

15 days from 1970.

From Lima to La Paz this Peru and Bolivia trip takes you deep into the Amazon Jungle,...

Essential Bali & Gili Islands

10 days from 447.

Discover Bali from laidback Ubud to the Mt Batur volcano. Explore Gili Trawangan and...

Essential Southern Balkans

9 days from 870.

From Dubrovnik, head on a Southern Balkans adventure to Stari Bar, Tirana, Dhermi Beach...

Essential South Korea

9 days from 1274.

Take a journey through South Korea, starting in Seoul and heading to Jeonju, Wanju,...

Real Turkey

15 days from 1071.

Immerse yourself in Turkish culture on this adventure through Istanbul, Canakkale,...

12 Days From 734

You’ll see the Terracotta Warriors, Chengdu pandas, Yangshuo’s beauty, the Great Wall...

One Week In Costa Rica

8 days from 518.

Head to the Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica with a fun-filled adventure to San Jose,...

Our travellers' favourite trips

Vietnam express southbound, 10 days from 829.

Take a tour of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops to cruise the Mekong...

Classic Costa Rica

15 days from 1356.

Travel to Costa Rica and discover a tropical playground of immense natural beauty....

Best of Sri Lanka

15 days from 1556.

Discover the must-sees, must-eats, and must-meets of gorgeous Sri Lanka on this 15-day...

Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

18 days from 1467.

Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this tour of Vietnam and Cambodia....

Best of Morocco

15 days from 872.

Discover the best of Morocco on an action-packed trip exploring Marrakech, Fes, the...

Egypt Adventure

8 days from 820.

Visit Egypt and adventure along the River Nile through the land of the pharaohs, from...

Explore Jordan

8 days from 816.

Travel to Jordan and tour Amman, Madaba and the inspiring desert landscape of Wadi Rum....

Classic Rajasthan

15 days from 893.

Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...

Okavango Experience

10 days from 1179.

Tour through Johannesburg, Maun, Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls on a ten...

Beautiful Cuba

8 days from 889.

Escape to Cuba on an adventure to this exotic Caribbean island and explore the sultry...

Mexico Unplugged

15 days from 1269.

The incredible cultures and colours of Mexico await on this 15-day adventure through...

Ready to start your own Intrepid Adventure?

Officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, we’ve been helping to change the way people see the world for over 30 years – so we know what makes travellers tick. Read our story to learn more about our origins and the founding principles that still guide everything we do today.  

The safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff and suppliers remains our priority and our return to operations will be done in a safe and responsible way.  If you’re ready to go, explore what we offer in the destination that’s calling you . Once you’ve found the trip for you, simply follow the steps below. 

Note: The prices on this website are for tours only. We can always add flights so just give us a call and we'll give you a full quote. 

The Intrepid Foundation

The Intrepid Foundation is a not-for-profit that supports non-government organisations around the world. We base our work on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of People, Peace, Prosperity, Partnership and Planet. We support 53 projects in 25 countries, and match all donations pound for pound. Below are a couple of projects which we’re proud to support around the world. 

Support to Life (Hayata Destek)

Support to Life,  Hayata Destek  in Turkish, is an independent humanitarian agency working in the field of disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and emergency response by promoting community participation in Turkey and the surrounding region.

The Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal (HRA)

The Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal (HRA) provides much needed medical and emergency evacuation assistance and treats many cases of severe mountain sickness. The HRA operates high altitude aid-posts at Manang (3500m) on the Annapurna route, and at Pheriche (4200m) on the Everest Base Camp trek. 

KOTO Training Centre

The KOTO Training Centre provides a two-year program in hospitality, English and life skills training, to groups of 16-22 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds. Trainees also receive accommodation, food, medical check-ups and treatment if required.

TravelAsker

Is American Express widely accepted in the UK?

Travel Destinations

April 13, 2023

By Kristy Tolley

American Express in the UK

American Express, also known as Amex, is a multinational financial services corporation based in the United States. It is one of the most popular credit card providers in the world. American Express has been operating in the UK since 1856 and is widely accepted in the country. However, its acceptance rate varies depending on the merchant and location.

American Express Acceptance in the UK: Overview

American Express is widely accepted in the UK, but not as widely as other credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. According to a survey conducted by Consumer Intelligence, in 2021, American Express was accepted by 54% of UK merchants. This is a significant increase from 2017, where only 36% of UK merchants accepted American Express. However, the acceptance rate is still lower than other credit cards. Visa, for example, is accepted by 97% of UK merchants, while Mastercard is accepted by 95%.

Major UK Merchants That Accept American Express

Major UK merchants such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Boots, and John Lewis accept American Express. These merchants also offer rewards and cashback on American Express purchases. Other major merchants that accept American Express include Amazon, Apple, and Uber.

Popular Places That Do Not Accept American Express

Some popular places that do not accept American Express include petrol stations, small independent retailers, and some restaurants. This is because American Express charges higher merchant fees compared to other credit cards. However, the acceptance rate is increasing, and more merchants are now accepting American Express.

Regional Differences in Acceptance of Amex

The acceptance rate of American Express varies depending on the region in the UK. In London, for example, American Express is more widely accepted compared to other regions. This is because there are more high-end merchants in London that cater to American Express cardholders.

How to Check if a Merchant Accepts American Express

Customers can check if a merchant accepts American Express by looking for the American Express logo or by asking the merchant directly. Customers can also check the American Express app or website to find merchants that accept American Express.

Tips for Using American Express in the UK

Customers can maximize their American Express rewards and cashback by using their card at major merchants that accept American Express. Customers should also use their card for purchases that offer rewards and cashback, such as travel and dining. It is also advisable to inform the merchant that you are using an American Express card to avoid any payment issues.

Benefits of Using American Express in the UK

American Express offers a range of benefits to its cardholders in the UK, such as rewards and cashback on purchases, travel insurance, and airport lounge access. American Express also offers excellent customer service and fraud protection to its cardholders.

Alternatives to American Express in the UK

Some alternatives to American Express in the UK include Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. These credit cards offer similar rewards and cashback programs to American Express.

American Express Card Options for UK Residents

American Express offers a range of card options to UK residents, including the American Express Platinum Card, the American Express Gold Card, and the American Express British Airways Card. These cards offer different rewards and benefits to cater to different needs.

Comparison of American Express Acceptance in the UK vs US

American Express is more widely accepted in the US compared to the UK. According to the same Consumer Intelligence survey, American Express is accepted by 77% of US merchants. This is because American Express has a higher market share in the US compared to the UK.

Conclusion: Using American Express in the UK

American Express is widely accepted in the UK, but not as widely as other credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. Customers can maximize their rewards and cashback by using their card at major merchants that accept American Express. American Express also offers a range of benefits to its cardholders in the UK, such as rewards and cashback on purchases, travel insurance, and airport lounge access. However, customers should also consider other credit card options in the UK that offer similar rewards and benefits.

Related Posts

• Is it permitted to use an American driving license for driving in the UK?
• Would your laptop from the US be compatible in the UK?
• Would you consider American Airlines to be a reputable airline?
• Would it be beneficial to invest in energy in the UK?
• Would Brazil be a desirable destination to explore with friends from the UK?

Kristy Tolley

Leave a comment cancel reply.

• My Account My Account
• Cards Cards
• Banking Banking
• Travel Travel
• Rewards & Benefits Rewards & Benefits
• Business Business

Card Accounts

• Account Home
• Register for Online Services
• Activate a new Card
• Support 24/7
• Download the Amex App

Business Accounts

• American Express @Work
• Online Merchant Services
• FX International Payments

Help & Support

• Forgot your User ID or Password?
• Security Centre
• Where can I use my Card?

Personal Cards

• View Personal Cards
• View Dollar and Euro Cards
• Credit Cards
• Why American Express?
• Invite friends. Get rewarded.
• Add someone to your Account

Business Cards

• View All Business Cards
• Compare Business Cards
• Business Platinum Card
• Business Gold Card
• Why American Express for Your Business
• Add an employee to your Account

Corporate Solutions

• View All Corporate Cards
• Compare Corporate Cards

Online Travel

• Book Travel Online
• Book Fine Hotels & Resorts
• Book The Hotel Collection
• Manage My Bookings

Travel Resources

• Destination Guides
• The Travel Blog
• View Travel Rewards Cards

Business Travel

• Global Business Travel Solutions
• Small Business Travel

Travel Money

• Travellers Cheques
• Using your Card abroad

All Insurance

• Insurance Benefit Centre
• Insurance Homepage
• Membership Rewards®
• Hotel and Retail

Benefits and Offers

• View All Benefits
• Amex Offers
• Entertainment and Events

Manage Membership

• Shop with Points
• Travel with Points
• Redeem points for Gift Cards
• What are Avios Points?
• How do I transfer my Points?
• View All FAQs
• Merchant Home
• Accept the Card
• Manage Merchant Account
• Contact Us and FAQs
• Pay with Bank transfer
• Benefits for your Business
• Business Customer Centre
• Business Trends and Insights
• View All Payment Solutions
• Working Capital Solutions
• Corporate Customer Centre

Global Network

• Service Providers
• Search Search
• Help Centre
• Online Services Tutorials

Log In to My Account

• Forgot User ID or Password
• Create new Online Account
• Activate new Card

British Airways American Express® Cards

There’s a little holiday in the things you buy, british airways american express® credit card.

Representative 31.0% APR variable. No annual fee. Assumed £1,200 credit limit with 31.0% per annum variable purchase rate. T&Cs apply.

• Welcome bonus : Get 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £1,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only¹
• Earn rate : Collect 1 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases¹
• Rewards:  Get a Companion Voucher when you spend £12,000 each membership year which is now more flexible than ever. From 1 November you will need to spend £15,000 within each membership year to earn a Companion Voucher. T&Cs apply.

Companion Voucher

Companion Vouchers are even more valuable and flexible than ever and can now be enjoyed with a companion or solo. Get a Companion Voucher when you spend £12,000 each membership year on the Card, which you can use to either take a companion with you in economy only on  the same flight or, if travelling solo, get a 50% discount on the Avios price when you book a British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia Reward Flight. Taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person 4 . 

*From 1 November you will need to spend £15,000 within each anniversary year to earn a Companion Voucher. For example, if your next anniversary date is 1 Feb 2025 you would need to either spend £12,000 by 31 October 2024 or spend £15,000 by 31 January 2025 to earn your Companion Voucher for this membership year.

Ways you can redeem your Companion Voucher 

Travel with a companion : The British Airways American Express Credit Card Companion Voucher entitles you to receive a second economy class seat for a companion travelling on the same flight as you for no additional Avios when you make a Reward Flight booking on a British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia flight 4 .  

Choose to fly solo : You can use your Companion Voucher as a solo adult travelling on a Reward Flight booking in Euro Traveller or World Traveller (Economy) or other economy cabins and receive a 50% discount on the Avios price for the flight. 

More Avios Pricing Options : Whether you’re planning on travelling with a companion or flying solo, you can access all Avios and Money and Reward Flight Saver (RFS) options, meaning your trip could cost as little as £1 in cash 6

Travel benefits

From Travel Accident insurance cover to preferential travel arrangements, we’ll help you along the way*:

• Global Assist® provides help when you travel outside of the UK, in your own language, 24/7  7 .
• Travel accident insurance protects you for up to £75,000 on public transport when you buy your ticket on your Card 7 .

*When enrolled in No Additional Charge Insurance

Eligibility

To save you time before applying for your British Airways American Express Credit Card, it's worth making sure you can say yes to all the following:

• I am aged 18 or over
• I have a current UK bank or building society account
• I have a permanent UK home address
• I have no history of bad debt
• And if self–employed, I have been working for more than one year
• I understand I will not be eligible for any Welcome Bonus award if I hold or have held any personal American Express ®  Cards in the past 24 months.

If you've said yes to all of these, then step this way. Your application could take less than 10 minutes and we may be able to give you a response in less than 60 seconds.

British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card

Representative 139.9% APR variable. £300 annual fee. Assumed £1,200 credit limit with 31.0% per annum variable purchase rate. T&Cs apply.

• Welcome bonus:  Get 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. 2
• Earn rate:  Collect 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases 2
• Rewards: Get a Companion Voucher when you spend £10,000 each membership year which is now more flexible than ever. From 1 November you will need to spend £15,000 within each membership year to earn a Companion Voucher. T&Cs apply.
• Go further: Collect 3 Avios for every £1 spent on British Airways flights and holidays 2

Companion Vouchers are even more valuable and flexible than ever and can now be enjoyed with a companion or solo. Get a Companion Voucher when you spend £10,000 each membership year on the Card, which you can use to either take a companion with you in the same flight and cabin or, if travelling solo, get a 50% discount on the Avios price when you book a British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia flight. British Airways American Express ®  Premium Plus Cardmembers will have access to additional British Airways Reward Flight seats within business (Club World) when booking with a Companion Voucher, subject to availability. Taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person 5

*From 1 November you will need to spend £15,000 within each anniversary year to earn a Companion Voucher. For example, if your next anniversary date is 1 Feb 2025 you would need to either spend £10,000 by 31 October 2024 or spend £15,000 by 31 January 2025 to earn your Companion Voucher for this membership year.

Travel with a companion:  The British Airways American Express ®  Premium Plus Companion Voucher entitles you to receive a second seat for a companion travelling on the same flight as you for no additional Avios when you make a Reward Flight booking on a British Airways, Aer Lingus or Iberia flight.

Choose to fly solo:  You can use your Companion Voucher as a solo adult travelling on a Reward Flight booking in any cabin and receive a 50% discount on the Avios price for the flight. 

More Avios Pricing Options:  Whether you’re planning on travelling with a companion or flying solo, you can access all Avios and Money and Reward Flight Saver (RFS) options, meaning your trip could cost as little as £1 in cash 6 . 

Enhanced availability in Club World:  Cardmembers who have earned a Premium Plus Companion Voucher can access tens of thousands of extra Reward seats in Club World (long haul Business Class) when booking a Reward Flight with their Companion Voucher. So whether you're choosing to treat yourself or take a lucky companion with you, you'll be travelling in style. 

Enjoy our travel protection benefits when you travel with us*:

• Global Assist® provides help when you travel outside of the UK, in your own language, 24/7 7 .
• Travel accident insurance protects you for up to £250,000 on public transport when you buy your ticket on your Card 6 .
• Travel inconvenience insurance covers flight cancellations, delays and delayed luggage when you pay with your Card. exclusions that may apply 7 .
• £200 for flight delay, overbooking or missed connection.
• £750 for baggage delayed by airline for 6 hours.
• An additional £1,000 for extended baggage delay by airline.

To save you time before applying for your British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, it's worth making sure you can say yes to all the following:

• I understand I will not be eligible for any Welcome Bonus award if I hold or have held any personal British Airways American Express Cards in the past 24 months.

British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card

Representative 108.4% APR variable. £250 annual fee. Assumed £1,200 credit limit with 28.5% per annum variable purchase rate. T&Cs apply.

• Welcome bonus: Collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £5,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership 1
• Earn rate: Collect 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent 2
• Rewards: Receive an extra 10,000 Avios for every £20,000 spent, up to 3 times a year 3
• On Business: Earn 2 On Business Points for every eligible £1 spent with on qualified British Airways Flights purchased with your Card 4

Reward your business every calendar year

With a tiered Avios annual bonus, for every £20,000 spent on the Card, you will receive 10,000 bonus Avios, up to 3 times each year. From everyday business expenses to larger supplier items you'll earn Avios in line with your business spend. With three individual tiers, your rewards balance evolves with your business. Your Avios Annual Bonus resets on 1 January each year, helping you to keep track of your rewards and maximise Cardmembers’ bonus earning potential.

Flexible cashflow management 

Your Credit Card gives you access up to 56 calendar days without interest payment terms (when you pay your balance in full) or the choice to pay your balance over time with interest 5 .

Double On Business Points

Exclusively with this Card, earn 2 On Business Points for every £1 spent with British Airways, This is in addition to your everyday Avios and annual bonus. Change, cancel or upgrade your flight booking up to 24 hours before departure of your first flight at no extra charge 6 .

PLEASE NOTE: The On Business platform is currently unavailable. When you apply for a British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card, if you don’t have an On Business Account already, you'll automatically join our loyalty programme for your business, and receive your On Business number from British Airways. To service your On Business Account and/or redeem your On Business Points, please call the On Business team on 0344 493 0748.

Visit the On Business FAQs .

To save you time before applying for your British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card, it's worth making sure you can say yes to all the following:

• The business has a current UK Bank or Building Society account
• You/The business have/has no County Court Judgements for non-payment of debt
• You are aged 18 or over
• You have a permanent UK home address
• You will pay the annual Cardmembership fee of £250 7

To access the On Business benefits, your company must not be a travel agency, ticket brokerage firm or consolidator AND your company does not have an existing corporate incentive agreement with British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines. When enrolling into the On Business programme through this British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card application progress, there is no requirement for your business to be VAT registered. (Visit  ba.com/onbusiness  for more information).

A Companion Voucher makes your Avios go further

You can get away for fewer Avios than you might think with a British Airways American Express Companion Voucher.

Use your Companion Voucher to either take someone with you on your Reward Flight for no additional Avios or reduce the amount Avios needed for a Reward Flight by 50% as a solo traveller. 

How would you use yours?

10,000 avios.

Enjoy the freedom of a solo getaway to one of 25 exciting European destinations for only 9,250 Avios + £1 return. 

20,000 Avios

Escape the everyday with a continental city break for two. Return flights to Europe for two people start at just 18,500 Avios + £2.

50,000 Avios

Jet off with that special someone to see the bright lights of New York or Dubai for just 50,000 Avios + £200 all in.

*Applies to off-peak return Reward Flight Saver flights paid in full with Avios.

Service like no other

Enjoy refund protection on all eligible items you buy using your Card in the UK.

We cover items up to 90 days and will replace or refund items up to a maximum of £200 on the British Airways American Express® Credit Card and £300 on the Premium Plus Card and the Accelerating Business Card, even if the retailer won’t.

Collect up to 90,000 Avios by inviting your friends

You can collect up to 90,000 Avios per calendar year when you refer friends to take out a BA Amex Card as soon as they’re approved. We’ll also welcome them with bonus Avios too. Terms apply. See link for full details. 

Find out more

Collecting avios, spending avios, buying avios.

Updates to the Companion Voucher

From 1 November 2024, the required spend to qualify for a Companion Voucher will increase from £10,000 (British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card) or £12,000 (British Airways American Express® Credit Card) to £15,000 within a membership year. This change will be relevant to the Amex Cardmembership year applicable on 1 November 2024 and thereafter.

Until 31 October 2024, existing Cardmembers can obtain their Companion Voucher by reaching the current spend target of £12,000 (Credit Card) or £10,000 (Premium Plus). From 1 November 2024, Cardmembers will need to reach the new £15,000 target, regardless of which Card type is held, before their membership year ends to earn their Companion Voucher. Purchases already made in the current membership year count towards the new target. 

• Terms, taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person. For the Credit Card Terms and Conditions apply. Introductory offers are not available if you currently hold or have held any personal American Express Card product in the past 24 months. Applicants must be UK residents aged 18 years old or over and are subject to approval. For the Credit Card, 5,000 bonus Avios will be awarded onto your Account once you have been approved and you have spent and charged a minimum of £1,000 on goods and services to the Account within three months of Account opening. For the Credit Card, you will be awarded 1 Avios for every £1 spent and charged per transaction. Avios are not earned on Balance Transfers, Cash Withdrawals, American Express Travellers Cheques purchases, Foreign Exchange, interest, any spending in excess of your credit limit, charges for returned payments, late payment or referral charges and American Express Credit Card finance charges. Written details available on request. Please note, it can take up to one month for the bonus Avios to be awarded to your Account once you have met the required spend. New Cardmembers only. Please note this offer is subject to change.​
• Terms, taxes, fees and carrier changes apply per person. For the Premium Plus Card Terms and Conditions apply. Introductory offers are not available if you currently hold or have held any personal British Airways American Express Card product in the past 24 months. Applicants must be UK residents aged 18 years old or over and are subject to approval. For the Premium Plus Card, 25,000 bonus Avios will be awarded onto your Account once you have been approved and you have spent and charged a minimum of £3,000 on goods and services to the Account within three months of Account opening. For the Premium Plus Card, you will be awarded 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent and charged per transaction. Avios are not earned on Balance Transfers, Cash Withdrawals, American Express Travellers Cheques purchases, Foreign Exchange, interest, any spending in excess of your credit limit, charges for returned payments, late payment or referral charges and American Express Credit Card finance charges. Written details available on request. Please note, it can take up to one month for the bonus Avios to be awarded to your Account once you have met the required spend. New Cardmembers only. Please note this offer is subject to change.​
• Supplementary Cards allow you to share the benefits of your American Express Card with others close to you. You will be the main Cardmember and will be liable for all charges made on the Supplementary Card(s). Additional Cardmembers must be 18 years or over. Written details available on request.
• BA American Express Credit Card Terms and Conditions apply to Avios redemptions. Reward Flights and Companion Voucher bookings are subject to availability and taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person. Companion Vouchers can only be used when redeeming Avios for a British Airways Reward Flight seat in economy only, paid with Avios. Detailed information on Companion Vouchers  can be found here  or by calling 0844 493 0750 (calls cost 7p pm plus your telephone company access charge). Companion Vouchers earned from 1 September 2021 can be used on bookings departing from outside of the UK as well as allowing the Companion Voucher holder to benefit from a 50% reduction in Avios when making a Reward flight booking with their Companion Voucher as a solo traveller. Only vouchers earned after 1 September 2021 can be used on Iberia and Aer Lingus. Visit here for full  Companion Voucher Terms and Conditions .
• BA American Express Premium Plus Card Terms and Conditions apply to Avios redemptions. Reward Flights and Companion Voucher bookings are subject to availability and taxes, fees and carrier charges apply per person. Companion Vouchers can only be used when redeeming Avios for a British Airways Reward Flight seat in any cabin, paid with Avios. Detailed information on Companion Vouchers  can be found here  or by calling 0844 493 0750 (calls cost 7ppm plus your telephone company access charge). Companion Vouchers earned from 1 September 2021 can be used on bookings departing from outside of the UK, as well as allowing the Companion Voucher holder to benefit from a 50% reduction in Avios when making a Reward Flight booking with their Companion Voucher as a solo traveller. Access to Reward Flight seats within Club World (business class) is available for British Airways Premium Plus Companion Vouchers earned from 1 September 2021. Only vouchers earned after 1 September 2021 can be used on Iberia and Aer Lingus. Visit here for full  Companion Voucher Terms and Conditions . 
• Reward Flights are available to any Executive Club Members with an Avios balance. In addition to your Avios, the only cash amount required for  Reward Flights is to cover the taxes, fees and carrier charges. Reward Flights are subject to availability. To find out more about Reward Flights and/or Reward Flight Saver  visit here .
• Terms and Conditions apply to the British Airways American Express credit card insurance. Please see the Insurance  Terms and Conditions . Please read this to understand the limits and exclusions that may apply. Terms and Conditions apply to the British Airways American Express  Premium Plus Card insurance. Please see the insurance  Terms and Conditions  for full details. Please read this to understand the limits and exclusions that may apply. 

Applicants must be 18 years old or over. Approval subject to status and Terms and Conditions apply.

The information relating to the financial benefits and services of the Card is the responsibility of American Express Services Europe Limited and British Airways accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies.

British Airways Plc registered in England and Wales company no.1777777 of Waterside, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 0GB, is an introducer appointed representative, for insurance mediation activities only, of American Express Insurance Services Europe Limited.

American Express Services Europe Limited has its registered office at Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX, United Kingdom. It is registered in England and Wales with Company Number 1833139 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

1. The 30,000 bonus Avios will be awarded once you have been approved and you have spent and charged a minimum of £5,000 on goods and services to the Account within three months of Account opening. If you have held a British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card or any other American Express® Business Card within the last 12 months, you will not be eligible for the Avios Welcome Bonus. Interest, fees (including default fees), balance transfers, cash advances (including transactions treated as cash), loading of prepaid cards, American Express Travellers Cheque purchases or foreign exchange transactions and any amounts that are subsequently re-credited to your Card Account by way of refunds or other types of credit, are not eligible towards the bonus. Your Account must be in good standing at the time of earning the bonus. All introductory offers are subject to change and can be withdrawn at any time. Please note, it can take up to one month for the bonus Avios to be awarded to your Account once you have met the required spend. 

2. Avios for Accelerating Business Card: You will be awarded 1.5 Avios for every eligible £1 spent and charged per transaction. Avios are not earned on interest, fees (including default fees), balance transfers, cash advances (including transactions treated as cash), loading of prepaid cards, American Express Travellers Cheque purchases or foreign exchange transactions; and any amounts that are subsequently re-credited to your Card Account by way of refunds or other types of credit. Please refer to full benefit terms and conditions associated with your Card Account for all eligibility criteria. Avios are issued and redeemed subject to British Airways Executive Club  terms and conditions  and will be reflected on your British Airways Executive Club account.

3. Accelerating Business Card Annual Bonus: You will be awarded 10,000 bonus Avios (Avios Annual Bonus) once you have spent and charged £20,000 on purchases on your Card, up to three times each calendar year. Interest, fees (including default fees), balance transfers, cash advances (including transactions treated as cash), loading of prepaid cards, American Express Travellers Cheque purchases or foreign exchange transactions and any amounts that are subsequently re-credited to your Card Account by way of refunds or other types of credit, are not eligible towards the bonus. Your Account must be in good standing at the time of earning the bonus. Please note, it can take up to one month for the bonus Avios to be awarded to your Account once you have met the required spend.

4. On Business Accelerator: Your Company will earn Two (2) On Business Points for every eligible £1 spent on qualifying flights directly with British Airways on the Card. For illustrative purposes, One (1) On Business Point comprises the additional earn for purchasing a qualifying flight with this Card Account (the Amex Accelerator), the other On Business Point is your base On Business Point earn. Please refer to full benefit terms and conditions associated with your Card Account for all benefit eligibility criteria. On Business Points are issued and redeemed subject to On Business Programme terms and conditions.

5. Cashflow for Accelerating Business Card: The maximum amount of time for interest free payment on purchases is 56 calendar days and is obtained only if you spend on the first day of the new statement period and repay the balance in full on the due date. If you only make a minimum payment every month, then interest rates will apply, and it will take you longer to pay off your balance.

6. On Business: Find out more about the On Business Programme, the booking process, and terms and conditions on  ba.com/onbusiness . Flights can be redeemed on British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines; cabin upgrades can be redeemed on British Airways and Iberia flights. On Business flights and cabin upgrades are subject to applicable taxes, fees, carrier charges and surcharges.

7. Annual Fee: BA Accelerating Business Card: An annual Cardmembership fee of £250 will apply for each membership year. We'll charge it for each year starting on the date of your first statement and then every year after that on the same date.

Money latest: Scammers take £240m in six months targeting pet owners - here's what to look out for

Scammers are targeting the most vulnerable pet owners – those who've lost their furry companions. James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, has some tips on how to avoid falling victim to the scam. You can also watch Business Live With Ian King in the stream below.

Friday 19 April 2024 12:04, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Scammers targeting pet owners - here's what to look out for 
• Do solar panels work in Britain's wet and cloudy climate?
• There's £500m in unclaimed Gift Aid - could you be eligible?
• Ketchup swaps that could eliminate tablespoons of sugar from your diet

Essential reads

• Spotlight on unpaid carers: 'You can't afford to feel': The woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband
• Ian King analysis: Why an interest rate cut may not come as soon as you think
• Basically… How to improve your credit score
• Money Problem: My boss ruined end of maternity leave with ultimatum - what are my rights?

The UK's estimated 23 million pet owners are at risk of a new kind of scam, one that took nearly £240m in the first six months of last year. 

Scammers are now targeting the most vulnerable owners – those who’ve lost their pets. 

Fraudsters are turning to lost pet forums and websites to claim they've found missing pets, demanding a ransom payment for their return.

Figures from UK Finance reveal this type of fraud – known as Authorised Push Payment (APP), when a victim is tricked into sending money directly to a criminal’s account - cost British consumers £239.3m in the first six months of 2023.

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, has some tips on how to avoid the scam...

• Never pay the ransom – If someone is demanding a large sum of money in exchange for your pet's safe return, call the police immediately. Never pay the money upfront, as it will most likely be a scam. Be sure to take a step back and analyse the situation.
• Examine the photos - is it a fake? – In an era where the use of artificial intelligence to fabricate photos is becoming increasingly commonplace, spotting a fake is becoming more challenging. But if you do receive a suspicious photo, make sure to take a closer look to determine whether it is in fact your pet. To do this, check if the photo has been taken from your social media profile and reframed to pass as a recent photo. You should also check for any signs of photoshopping. This could be the way the image has been cut, or the lack of shadows. It is also always helpful to get a second opinion – what you might miss, another person could spot.
• Spotting fabricated stories – Scammers may share specific personality traits you recognise about your pet to convince you they legitimately have it in their possession. However, they may be getting this information from adverts you’ve shared on missing pet websites, or even details shared about your pet on your social media profiles. Be extra cautious and question their authenticity.
• Be careful not to overshare on social media – While sharing information of pets on social media channels is commonplace, this can make them a goldmine for fraudsters. Always be careful about posting personal details, such as your address, pet’s name, or your location in real time. This is all information a fraudster could use to their benefit. Even if you have a private account, you still need to be cautious, as fraudsters have sophisticated methods for obtaining personal information.
• Avoid using your pet’s name as your password – The easiest password to remember is your pet’s name, but unfortunately fraudsters know this too. Of course, you need to be able to remember your passwords, but it’s vital not to make them too simple. The ideal password should contain a minimum of 10 characters using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. As a rule of thumb, it’s also best to ensure you are using muti-factor authentication, when possible.

The British public donated some £13.9bn to charity last year, but higher earners who give to their chosen causes could be missing out on a tax break. 

"Many may be missing out on the tax perks of giving to charity, which can help to reduce their tax bill and save them from tax traps," Charlene Young, pensions and savings expert at AJ Bell, said. 

There is some £500m of unclaimed Gift Aid rebates - which you could be eligible for - according to data seen by AJ Bell. 

In order to get to the bottom of this, we need an understanding of Gift Aid. 

"Gift Aid is a tax incentive that gives a top up on donations from UK taxpayers to a UK registered charity or community amateur sports clubs (CASC)," Charlene explains. 

Within the scheme, the government tops up the charity donation by 25% - turning a £100 donation into £125 for the charity or CASC. 

"But there’s a tax break on offer for higher and additional rate taxpayers too - they can claim up to 20% or 25% on their donations," Charlene adds. 

Not only does the scheme mean charities can access more money at no extra cost - higher band taxpayers can claim some cash back. 

This table shows how much you can claim back...

"Claims are usually made via a self-assessment tax return, but you can ask HMRC for a P810 form to fill in if you don’t normally file a return. You can also backdate claims for up to four years, so it is worth looking into this as soon as possible," Charlene says. 

Although 94% of higher earners donating to charity have heard about Gift Aid, only 52% are aware they could claim a tax rebate on their donations, according to HMRC data. 

That leaves expected unclaimed rebates at around £500m. 

Geoff, a higher rate UK taxpayer, pays £780 in charitable donations over the course of a year. 

Gift aid tops this up to £975.

Geoff is eligible to claim back £195 (20% of £975) in tax relief from HMRC via self-assessment, or by contacting HMRC directly. 

In total, this means the charity has received £975 - but it has only cost Geoff £585. 

Avoiding tax traps

"If you're caught by tax traps, gift aid could help you lower your tax bill and put money towards good causes," Charlene says. 

"You might be a parent who has gone over the £50,000 high income child benefit charge, meaning you'd start to lose child benefit [HICBC].

"Or if your earnings have breached £100,000 you start to lose your tax-free Personal Allowance at a rate of £1 for every £2, a whopping effective rate of tax of 60% on earnings between £100,000 and £125,140.

"Making a charity donation and claiming Gift Aid means the full value of the donation [what you pay plus the government top up] is deducted from the income that would otherwise count towards the £100,000 limit [or £50,000 for HICBC]."

By  James Sillars , business reporter

The market reaction to Israel's attack on Iran is muted so far.

While Brent crude oil rose by 2% in response initially, it is currently just over 1% up on the day at $88 a barrel.

That is below where it started the week after Iran had launched its drone and missile strikes on Israel.

The future direction will probably depend on how Iran chooses to respond to events overnight.

Stock markets are also feeling some strain and, being Friday, we could see a rush to protect positions over the weekend later in the day.

Japan's Nikkei was 2.6% down though the Hang Seng was just 0.9% lower.

In Europe, the reaction was similar to that seen in Hong Kong.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.4% at the open - with small gains in energy stocks offsetting some of the wider hit to sentiment from events in the Middle East.

Travel-related stocks were seeing some of the worst pain due to the threat of disruption.

British Airways owner IAG shed 3.5% while easyJet was 2.3% off and Ryanair not far behind that figure.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series every Friday, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, but to help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

Today we're looking at ketchup - which contains a surprising amount of sugar. 

What's the worry with sugar?

"Reducing added sugars in your diet can lead to significant health benefits, including weight loss and decreased risk of heart disease," Sunna says. 

"But fear not, ketchup connoisseurs: there's a way to enjoy your sauce and look after your health too."

How much sugar? 

The average bottle of ketchup has around 4g of sugar per tablespoon. 

If you're having a generous dollop of ketchup three times a week, you're adding more than 600g of sugar to your diet each year from one condiment. 

"That's a whole lot of sweet for something that's supposed to be savoury," Sunna says. 

"Another way to look at it is that you're having a teaspoon of sugar drizzled over your French fries - it feels wrong, doesn't it?"

The good news is there's plenty of options.

Avoiding premium ketchups can save your wallet and your sugar intake - they tend to up sugar content by 35% to more than 30g per 100g.

A standard bottle of Heinz contains 22.8g of sugar per 100g.

"Without getting into the taste debate, Heinz's rival Hellman's comes up trumps for your health by lowering the sugar content to 18g per 100g," Sunna says. 

Heinz has created two lower-sugar versions: a 50% less sugar option (at 11g per 100g) and Heinz's No Added Sugar & Salt (4.4g of sugar per 100g).

"But watch out here," Sunna says, "as they do add artificial sweeteners in their place (sucralose)". 

In his view, there are two newer challenger brands that deserve a mention as they cut sugar without the artificial additives. 

"Dr Wills Ketchup using dates instead of sugar (15g per 100g) and Hunter & Gather keep the sweet stuff out entirely (6g per 100g). 

So, he says, there is "plenty to choose from to suite your taste buds and health needs".

What does that look like over time?

Making small changes for your health can build up to a big impact over the long term. 

"Going from standard Heinz to the brand's no sugar option will save you more than 500g of sugar a year in your diet," Sunna says. 

What's the cost? 

"Surprisingly, opting for a healthier ketchup doesn't mean squeezing your wallet dry," Sunna says. 

A bottle of Heinz No Added Sugar & Salt costs around £0.80 per 100g and is the most expensive.

The 50% less sugar version is cheaper at £0.54 per 100g. 

That's only 4% more than the standard, more sugary version, which costs £0.52 per 100g. 

"This way you'll save 32% on the price of your ketchup (compared with no sugar) and 50% of the sugar content for your health - that's a win-win," Sunna says. 

"In the grand scheme of dietary changes, switching ketchup varieties might seem small. But it's these little tweaks that can add up to a big difference in your health."

The nutritionist's view -  from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food and health sciences at Teesside University

"I would say that yes, they are correct in that the focus should be health over money and the reduced sugar version does not make too much of a difference. 

"Also, there is the option of making your own ketchup too, in which you could manipulate the ingredients to add more natural flavours that will reduce the need for the added sugar - provided it is consumed within a shorter space of time."

Read more from our series... 

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

This week, we've been speaking to some of Britain's struggling unpaid carers, hearing at times heart-breaking accounts of their physical, emotional and financial struggles.

In our final instalment in the series, a woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband says it is a "lonely job" and you often feel "looked down on" as she urges the government to "look at the bigger picture" when it came to help.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get Carer's Allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my Universal Credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all." Suzanne Buckner, unpaid carer

Suzanne's daughter Charlotte, or Lottie as her mother and father Mark call her, was three when she was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects children and develops in early nerve cells, in 2010.

Her gruelling treatment left her with a number of healthcare problems, including the development of three benign tumours in her liver, non-autoimmune type 1, type 2 and type 3 diabetes and asplenia.

Charlotte, now 17, is also deaf and has severe back problems due to discs growing into her vertebrae.

"My daughter was told by her oncologist in December they didn't actually expect her to survive," Suzanne, 56, says.

Suzanne is also a carer for her son, 23, who has multiple complex conditions and her husband, 62, who has mental health conditions.

"It's an eclectic collection - one minute I'm a mental health nurse, then I'm dealing with behavioural problems and then it's just classic nurse," she says.

Suzanne receives universal credit of around £972 a month after her carer's allowance is deducted.

She says the carer's allowance earnings limit, set at £139 a week, means carers like her are "caught in this trap" where they can't earn above the limit for fear of losing their benefit money.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get carer's allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my universal credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all," she says.

"It's ridiculous because if I handed my family over to the state, can you imagine how much money it would cost?

"I sometimes think central government does not have the ability to calculate or look at the bigger picture."

Recently, Suzanne got "quite poorly" and was told to go to A&E after she was unable to get an appointment with her GP.

"I thought 'I can't go to A&E I've got to look after my family'. I think that's another area that's not looked at - the health and wellbeing of carers. It's a lonely job," she says.

"Even though I was sick, I was making sure Lottie was having her injections and medicines. You can't afford to feel.

"Emotionally it is hard because sometimes you can't fix the problem. There isn't a magic solution and you can't make a phone call.

"It doesn't matter to a degree how much money you've got, it  isn't going to go away. If someone is poorly, they are poorly."

Suzanne used to run several companies, including an advertising agency, before becoming a carer for her family and now does telecoms regulation consultancy work when she can.

Holding down a 9-5 job is "not possible for most carers".

"Lottie getting cancer taught me so much about life - do not plan," she says.

"If she had to go to hospital today that means I have to change all the tutors she's having and it can happen overnight.

"Having a child with cancer is even more of a lonely thing because it's quite a rare thing. If she gets sick, life just turns upside down."

After undergoing chemotherapy, Lottie was left with a low blood temperature and therefore keeping the house warm is important, Suzanne says, which increases heating costs.

The costs can go up further if Charlotte needs to go to hospital as this means trips "all over the country" to hospitals in Birmingham, the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, increasing fuel and food costs.

'Less of a citizen'

Suzanne says there is "absolutely" a pressure on her finances and if it were not for the inheritance her mother left her, she "wouldn't be living".

"Both my husband's parents are dead and my parents are dead. I don't have siblings that live close by so I don't have any support," she says.

"I think the problem is, unless you've walked in somebody's shoes, you really don't understand."

Suzanne says there are some things central and local government could do to help, such as giving personal budgets through direct payments, which would allow carers to choose the support and help they needed.

"Personally I feel you get looked down on. People think you're only a carer, you get benefits, you're less of a citizen - that really annoys me," she says.

"I think the benefits system doesn't work. I'm not suggesting that all carers in the UK should be paid a certain amount, but they should be paid equitably so that people don't get to the point mentally where they say 'I can't do this anymore'. 

"There need to be some serious, high-level debates and they need to involve carers in those debates. 

"The government need to look at how much money they are wasting in the care system by doing the wrong things."

Speaking of her daughter's battles, Suzanne adds: " I don't know how she copes - I think she's an inspiration.

"She has to be pulled and tugged by doctors and have test after test, and she tolerates it all. Sometimes when I'm watching her have these tests I think to myself 'I don't know how she does it'". 

Charity calls for review

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, says it is in the state's interest to support unpaid carers because "if a carer goes down then the state has to look after two people".

If you have to give up work to care, she says, "you are going to find yourself spiralling into poverty".

"Carer's allowance hasn't had a fundamental review for years so we would like a review looking at who is eligible for it, how it works and an increase to the amount," she adds.

"And also there needs to be an increase to the amount of hours you can work while caring.

"Social care is underfunded so it needs some real investment in order for unpaid carers to be able to care safely and well.

"What many carers will say is they need a break. It's not that they don't want to care, it's that they are exhausted. They are at breaking point."

A government spokesperson said: "Unpaid carers play a vital role in the lives of their family and friends, which is why from April we're boosting carer's allowance meaning carers receive an extra £1,500 a year compared to 2010.

"Those in low income households may also be eligible for additional financial support such as universal credit."

You can read the previous parts of our series here:

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Solar panels in the UK are pointless given the weather'

For this one, we've got the help of  George Frost , UK manager for sustainable energy advice firm iChoosr. 

"With cloudy and colder days in the winter, it is natural for people to think that solar energy may not be as effective in this country - but this is simply false," he says. 

Let's dive into it... 

So how do solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work?

George explains: "Solar panels are composed of PV cells, which contain electrons that are energised upon contact with light particles, or photons. 

"This energy is then directly converted into an electric current to generate electricity."

In simple terms: solar panels rely on the sun's light and not its heat  to generate energy. 

Like most electrical equipment, solar panels perform better in colder temperatures, as excessive heat can reduce efficiency. 

"Solar panels will generate more energy on a crisp and chilly sunny day than on a hot, sunny day," George says. 

The issue really lies not with temperature but with cloud cover.

Solar panels receive less sunlight if there is a high density of clouds. 

Data suggests the energy generated drops significantly under heavy cloud cover, but George says that even on less clear and bright days, solar panels can still generate a "substantial" amount. 

Battery storage can help make up for effects of cloud cover. 

"By installing a battery alongside solar panels, any excess energy generated can be stored and utilised later in the day when the panels are no longer generating due to the absence of sunlight," George says.  

"Although the winter months have fewer daylight hours, it's important to note that solar PV systems do not completely shut down on shorter and darker days."

The numbers

The ideal temperature for solar panel efficiency is between 1C and 20C. 

National Energy Action data shows that the average solar panel can generate up to 3kWh of electricity on a sunny day. 

A mildly cloudy day will produce 0.55kWh and a heavily overcast day 0.24 kWh, according to the Ecoexperts.

The typical UK solar panel system (3-4kW system, typically made up of eight to 12 panels) produces between 2,450 and 3,000+ kWh a year, depending on orientation, location and weather conditions - according to Solar Together data.

The average British home uses around 2,700kWh of electricity a year, Ofwat estimates. 

Myth or must?

It's a myth that British solar panels are pointless - and data shows the average panel system could in theory power your home almost entirely. 

Solar Together caveats that by saying: "In practice, it's difficult for the average homeowner to install enough solar panels to power their entire home. 

"They can, though, generate enough energy to power household appliances such as your TV and fridge-freezer."

Consider this myth busted - and think of the green impact too! 

The Duchess of Sussex seems to be soft-launching the first product from her upcoming lifestyle brand. 

Influencers and friends of Meghan have been posting pictures of American Riviera Orchard's debut item - strawberry jam - in recent days. 

Parenting campaigner Kelly McKee Zajfen has become the latest to promote the jar, posting an image of it in a basket of lemons and flowers on Instagram. 

The Duchess reportedly sent out 50 jam jars to online influencers. 

Los Angeles-based fashion designer Tracy Robbins shared a photo of a jar - marked 17 out of 50 - earlier this week. 

Megan has already launched the American Riviera Orchard website, but it does not feature any products and simply invites visitors to join a waiting list. 

An Instagram profile has also been set up for the business, but just features several posts making up its gold logo. 

"By Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex⁣⁣⁣. Established 2024", is all the description says. 

You can read more about when we first saw a glimpse of the product here ...

Barristers and judges have the biggest gender pay gap in the UK, a study has shown.

Women in the profession earn just over 29% less than their male counterparts - around £8.31 an hour. 

That's according to ONS data analysed by Claims.co.uk. 

Financial managers and directors were found to have the second-biggest difference, with women paid approximately £11.56 less an hour than men in the same occupation. 

"Perhaps in 2024, studies like this will raise awareness of the gender pay gap and precipitate change in these industries, starting with pay reviews," Claims.co.uk said.

You can see the 10 jobs with the biggest pay gaps below...

As the season for high pollen count is upon us, anyone who suffers from hay fever will be thinking about stocking up on their medication.

But this can mean the pocket takes a hit.

Branded tablets from pharmacies can set buyers back quite a bit, with Clarityn allergy relief costing £10.99 for 30 tablets . Piriteze is another common brand, priced at  £11.55 for 30 tablets .

But most of these medications have identical properties, regardless of brand.

It's important to look out for the "active" ingredients - and then buy the cheapest option. 

These include loratadine and cetirizine hydrochloride. 

Supermarkets and discount stores can provide cheaper alternatives to the brand names. 

Poundstretcher, for example, sells 30 loratadine tablets for 79p. 

Supermarkets will often sell the branded versions alongside their own cheaper equivalents - so compare the ingredients before deciding which to go for. 

Here are some examples:

• Asda: £2.50 for cheapest generic v £6.50 for cheapest Clarityn tablets
• Boots: £5.99 for cheapest generic v £11.55 for Piriteze, Zirtek or branded equivalent
• Boots: £2.75 for cheapest generic v £10.99 for Clarityn tablets
• Sainsbury’s: £2.50 for cheapest generic v £11.10 for Clarityn tablets
• Tesco: £2.95 for cheapest generic v £11 for Piriteze, Zirtek or branded equivalent
• Waitrose: £3.25 for cheapest generic v £11.85 for Clarityn tablets

There are no cheaper equivalent options for Benadryl tablets, but Amazon offers cheaper deals of £7.20 or £6.48 with Prime vs a standard price of around £10 from supermarkets.

Remember, certain options could seem cheaper, such as an option of 90p for 10 tablets vs £1 for 10 one-a-day tablets.

However, you'll need to keep taking the first option throughout the day, with the second option lasting you much longer.

You should only buy medications from legitimate pharmacies and shops, as they must adhere to certain standards and inspections.

By Mickey Carroll, science and technology reporter 

If you had a great meal out, you'd probably leave a tip. Why don't you tip the people that make your video games too? 

That's the suggestion from former game studio president Mike Ybarra. He sparked a debate on X when he posted the idea he'd been thinking about "for a while".

"When I beat a game, there are some that just leave me in awe of how amazing the experience was. 

"I've often thought 'I wish I could give these folks another $10 or $20' because it was worth more than my initial $70 and they didn't try to nickel and dime me every second," he posted.

His idea was a flop.  

A lot of the more than 1,700 replies asked why games studios didn't just pay their developers properly, at a time when the industry is in crisis. 

"Maybe it's time companies start giving salaries and a bonus structure adequate to all their employees," posted @leqvist.

Game developers are facing mass redundancies. ( You can read more about that here .)

In the Past two years, more than 19,000 people have lost their jobs and just four months into 2024, another 8,000 have gone. 

Only yesterday, an estimated 600 redundancies were announced by Grand Theft Auto-6 publisher Take-Two, which could include jobs at Scotland’s Rockstar Games UK.

The other criticism that cropped up a lot was that games are pretty expensive anyway and should just be… good?

"A horrible idea. The game should be an amazing experience for $70! Paying extra for a 'great game' means that you are settling for a **** or mediocre game normally," posted @LinuxMostly. 

The average price for a boxed video game in the UK is now £35.70, according to the Entertainment and Retail Association yearbook.

After posting his idea, Mr Ybarra clearly went about his life, posting afterwards: "Whoever runs SteamDB [a database of everything on Steam], I tip my hat to you."

"Maybe you should tip them," came the reply.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free