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American Express referral code

Get 6,000 bonus Avios when you apply for the BA American Express Classic using a refer-a-friend link.

The British Airways American Express Classic refer-a-friend scheme gives new cardholders a 6,000-Avios welcome bonus — 1,000 more than the standard 5,000 — after spending £2,000 in the first three months, with no annual fee on the card. I held the BA Classic from 2021 to late 2023 before moving to Monzo Flex and then Yonder, which fits my spending better now.

American Express logo

American Express

Earn rewards as you spend. From cash-back and Avios points to great everyday offers.

Use referral link

Or copy the referral link below:

Reward:

Get 6,000 Avios points when you spend £2,000

How it works:

  1. Get 6,000 Avios points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months of card membership.
Use referral link

American Express referral at a glance

Your reward6,000 Avios points
Friend's rewardVaries by card
Reward typeAvios points
RequirementSpend £2,000 in first 3 months
Time to receiveAfter spending £2,000 in 3 months
Referral limitUp to 15 referrals per year

American Express key facts

Avios welcome bonus

6,000 points

Source: American Express

Annual fee

£0 (BA Classic Credit Card)

Source: American Express

FCA regulated

Yes

Source: FCA

Avios earn rate

1 Avios per £1 spent

Source: American Express

American Express referral pros and cons

Pros

  • 6,000 Avios sign-up bonus through referral — enough for a short-haul flight
  • No annual fee on the BA Classic Credit Card
  • Earn 1 Avios point per £1 spent on everyday purchases
  • Avios can be used for British Airways flights, upgrades, and hotels
  • Amex Offers provide cashback at selected retailers
  • Section 75 purchase protection on spending over £100

Cons

  • Amex is not accepted everywhere in the UK — many smaller shops do not take it
  • You need to spend £2,000 in 3 months to earn the full sign-up bonus
  • Avios points are most valuable for BA flights, less so for other redemptions
  • High APR if you do not pay your balance in full each month
  • Referral limit of 15 per year (though this is generous)

What is the American Express BA credit card?

The BA Amex Classic is a fee-free credit card earning 1 Avios per £1 spent. Redeem Avios for BA flights, upgrades, and hotels. No annual fee, plus Amex Offers give targeted cashback at specific retailers. One of the best free travel rewards cards in the UK.

The British Airways American Express Classic Credit Card is a fee-free credit card that earns Avios points on every purchase. You earn 1 Avios per £1 spent, and the points can be redeemed for BA flights, cabin upgrades, hotel stays, and car hire. The card comes with no annual fee, making it one of the best free ways to earn travel rewards in the UK. American Express also regularly offers Amex Offers — targeted cashback deals at specific retailers — which can add significant extra value on top of the Avios you earn.

How does the Amex referral scheme work?

Apply through a referral link and earn 6,000 bonus Avios after spending £2,000 in 3 months. Combined with standard earning, that is about 8,000 Avios from £2,000 of spending. Up to 15 referrals per year. Avios go to your BA Executive Club.

When you apply for the BA Amex Classic card using the referral link on this page, you can earn 6,000 Avios points after spending £2,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. This is on top of the standard 1 Avios per £1 you earn on all spending, so you would actually accumulate around 8,000 Avios from that initial £2,000 spend. The referrer earns bonus points too. Amex allows up to 15 referrals per year per cardholder. The Avios are credited to your BA Executive Club account.

Who is the Amex BA card best for?

Best for anyone who flies BA occasionally and wants free flights over time. No annual fee means zero downside. The £2,000 spend in 3 months works out to £667/month — achievable by routing groceries and fuel through the card.

This card is best for people who fly with British Airways (or its partners) at least occasionally and want to earn points towards free flights. Since there is no annual fee, there is no downside to holding the card even if you only use it as a secondary payment method. The £2,000 spend requirement in 3 months works out to roughly £667/month, which is achievable for most households if you route regular spending like groceries and fuel through the card. If you do not fly or have no interest in Avios, a cashback card would be more useful.

How Amex compares to other rewards cards

BA Amex Classic vs Barclaycard Avios: Barclaycard has wider Visa acceptance but a lower Avios earn rate. Chase offers 1% cashback free. Yonder charges £15/month for experience rewards. For Avios collectors, the free BA Amex Classic is hard to beat.

The BA Amex Classic competes with the Barclaycard Avios card and reward cards from Yonder and Chase. The Barclaycard Avios Visa is accepted more widely (Visa vs Amex) but earns Avios at a lower rate. Chase offers 1% universal cashback with no fee, which is simpler but less rewarding for frequent flyers. Yonder earns points redeemable for experiences rather than flights, and charges a £15/month fee. For anyone who values Avios and can use Amex for most of their spending, the BA Classic card is hard to beat on a fee-free basis.

Related referral codes

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Amex referral code: get 6,000 Avios points with the BA credit card

Amex referral code: get 6,000 Avios points with the BA credit card

3rd April 2026

American Express referral FAQ

What is the American Express referral reward?

You earn 6,000 Avios points when you apply through a referral link and spend £2,000 within your first 3 months of card membership.

How do I use an Amex referral link?

Click the referral link on this page to go to the Amex application page. Complete the application, get approved, and start spending to earn your bonus Avios.

Is there an annual fee for the BA Amex Classic card?

No. The British Airways American Express Classic Credit Card has no annual fee.

How many Avios do I earn per pound spent?

You earn 1 Avios point for every £1 spent on the card. This applies to all purchases with no category restrictions or caps.

What can I use Avios points for?

Avios can be redeemed for British Airways flights (including taxes), cabin upgrades, hotel bookings through BA Holidays, and car hire. You can also transfer Avios to partner airlines.

How many Avios do I need for a flight?

Short-haul return flights within Europe start from around 13,000 Avios plus taxes. The exact amount depends on the route, class of travel, and availability.

Is Amex widely accepted in the UK?

Amex acceptance has improved significantly but it is still not universal. Most large retailers, supermarkets, and online shops accept Amex, but some smaller independent businesses do not. Many Amex holders carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Will applying for Amex affect my credit score?

Yes. Amex performs a hard credit check when you apply. If approved, the account will appear on your credit file. Using the card responsibly and paying in full each month can help build your credit score over time.

Do I need a BA Executive Club account?

Yes. You need a British Airways Executive Club membership (free to join) to collect and redeem Avios. You can sign up at ba.com before or during your Amex application.

What are Amex Offers?

Amex Offers are targeted cashback deals that appear in your Amex app. You add an offer to your card and receive automatic cashback when you shop at that retailer. These are in addition to the Avios you earn on every purchase.
SP
Seb Place

Personal finance writer and UK consumer savings specialist

I specialise in finding people the best deals to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living. I like to review companies from everyday industries like banking and energy and try to provide a fresh mix of facts and unbiased opinions.

Last updated: 20th April 2026 · Fact-checked and reviewed for accuracy