Why American Express Is No Longer Worth It (in the UK)

[@Sally-ev6ct]

Hi can you kindly send me the referral link for the gold amex card please?

[@Monitodotcom]

americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/gold-credit?ref=jONATPW7ot&XL=MIANS

[@Sally-ev6ct]

Thank you

[@piargno]

Just to chime in - I have AMEX Platinum. My husband and I split the annual fee cost, so it becomes manageable. We don't have children or a car or many vices, and we love traveling. We get a Priority Pass membership automatically with AMEX, and that makes our travel super comfy with all the lounge access. When delays happen and airlines don't cover the costs (even though they say they will), we have travel insurance that will cover certain things. We get lounge access for EU and UK trains as well. The cashback for certain restaurants basically covers the annual fee (and we love going to fancy restaurants). I also had to have emergency dental while on a trip, and AMEX covers that. It's actually quite a fantastic card for people like my husband and me who travel very often, but I understand how it wouldn't work for everyone. Also the 7 points per GBP is an amazing thing ...

[@TheVexified]

Are you and your husband retired if I may be so rude in asking?

[@linkedinfred]

The real value of MR Amex points isn’t the conversion from MR - Avios - Nectar (although that’s good), it comes from using points to upgrade flights - typically from a cash economy purchase to a point/cash business upgrade or even business to first.

[@roberthartley6629]

The benefit of transferring points to AVIOS is no matter what the flight cost (in Europe for example) if there is AVIOS redemption on the flight then you can book the flight for £1. The sweet spot is actually £17.50 each leg. I'm going return to from GLA via LHR to VCE for £102 return. It could have been £70 but I only had 23k AVIOS. Edited: That is Glasgow to Venice for those that know the airport codes :-)

[@Monitodotcom]

Thank you for sharing this, that is really useful information especially as I knew so little about AMEX and AVIOS prior to making this video. My wife and I have roughly 90k AVIOS and I'm now considering not switching the 25k to Nectar (from Gold) and instead using them along with our 90k to put toward flights. ^Jonny

[@kayzo4343]

Hey Jonny, great video! I am considering maybe switching from Chase to Algbra and just wanted to ask whether Algbra does round ups like Chase as I find that feature quite useful.

[@Monitodotcom]

Thanks! Unfortunately, Algbra doesn't have round-ups, I'm sure it's something that'll come in the future though. Although I'm not sure they'll ever offer 5% interest on round-ups, Chase really nailed it with that decision! ^Jonny

[@acmramon]

I don't have Amex. i only use algbra and sometimes chase for all my spendings. When will you review algbra? you wait for them to contact you first?:) ty

[@Monitodotcom]

Hey! There is a reason why I've held back on the review but it isn't because they haven't contacted me or we don't have a partnership. I was honestly concerned about their amazing generosity and what it could mean on their ability to sustain themselves in the long-term. That said, I'm absolutely going to review them soon and also include my thoughts on this in the video. ^Jonny

[@acmramon]

@@Monitodotcom yes I understand. But so far it works really well. Sometimes customer service is late on replying back, but cashback works good(only downside is that is deposited every 3-4 days) but is ok for me as long as it works. Ty

[@CookeeMonsterr]

Hey Jonny, I'm wondering how you're getting on with the Revolut Ultra card? Looking forward to your review on it.

[@Monitodotcom]

Hey Cookee! I have actually finished the review! I spent around 3 weeks in July using the account and card so I should be able to publish that very soon, honestly though, it was a bit underwhelming. ^Jonny

[@travellerseko]

I don’t agree with you. You only check the rewards converting to cash. But that’s not the point. I believe it all depends on your circumstances. AMEX platinum has fantastic perks. U get straight away hotel status upgrade. We use Hilton and price between BB and only room is huge. We travel as a family of three. We all get lounge access. Pls credit in restaurants, Harvey Nichols is a plus. Also wait for the attractive bonus before getting a platinum card. They usually give 80.000 points.

[@adamingleton8529]

I got 20,000 MR points as a retention offer for Amex gold , for the £160 AL fee...to persuade you to keep it for another year....

[@Monitodotcom]

Very nice! I'm coming up for renewal soon, I'll be keeping an eye out for that! ^Jonny

[@Andy-ft8jf]

I have amex platinum and I would say that it is not worthy anymore - Expect from the lounges which the revolut Ultra is going to replace

[@HoneyBadgarDontGive]

Can you provide the excel you created in the description for download?

[@shaazmaheen2238]

I thought the Chase card is 1% cashback only for one year?

[@Monitodotcom]

Yes that's correct, new customers receive 1% cashback for their first year. I registered with Chase UK back when they offered unlimited cashback, when they capped it at £15, the offer rolled over for another year. My cashback ends on the 2nd May this year. ^Jonny

[@Colixer]

It looks like the rate of Avios -> Nectar conversion has dropped from 3:4 to 1:1 :(

[@Monitodotcom]

Sadly it has. I believe this happened earlier in the year, although Nectar -> Avios remains the same. ^Jonny

[@sonny8085]

@2:40 "AVOIS" points?....are they the French AVIOS points? 😉

[@Monitodotcom]

Damn it! 😂

[@Monitodotcom]

Or should I say sacré bleu..

[@sonny8085]

@@Monitodotcom I am also now using the AMEX Gold for the points welcome bonus. Is it not somehow possible to pay off the AMEX balance with one of the debit cards and get the cashback too?

[@audrywickham]

Hi Johny! Does the Amex Platinum in the UK charge foreign transaction fees? I can not find this information anywhere. Thanks!

[@Monitodotcom]

Hey Audry! I would recommend not using AMEX abroad, they charge a transaction fee of 3% AND apply an exchange rate mark-up. Try to use a credit card that has no international transaction fees and use Mastercard or VISA FX rates. Halifax Clarity and the Barclaycard Rewards card are two that come to mind. Hope that helps. ^Jonny

[@64bit-]

Can you make an update on this video for 2025?