The recurring 100,000-mile sign-up bonus for the British Airways-affiliated credit card has established itself as the benchmark for lucrative rewards credit card promotions. In a period during which outsized credit card bonuses are the norm, that’s no small achievement. If you missed out on past versions of the offer, you now have a full three months to take advantage of this latest iteration.
Offer Details
Through February 27, 2013, new customers for the Chase-issued British Airways Visa Signature credit cardcan earn up to 100,000 Avios (Executive Club miles), as follows:
- 50,000 bonus Avios after $1,000 in purchases within the first three months
- 25,000 bonus Avios after $10,000 in purchases within the first year
- An additional 25,000 bonus Avios after an additional $10,000 in purchases within the first year
Card Details
- Annual fee: $95
- Annual percentage rate: variable, Prime Rate plus 11.99 percent, currently 15.24 percent
- Cardholders earn 2.5 Executive Club miles for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases, 1.25 miles for every $1 spent on other purchases.
- Cardholders receive a free companion award ticket every year they charge $30,000 to the card.
- Smart chip technology, so the card can be used for chip-based purchases in Europe.
- No foreign transaction fees
Deal or No Deal
The offer’s current form is slightly less generous than the previous version, which awarded the first 50,000 Avios immediately after the first purchase, with no minimum spend. But in the end, it still amounts to 100,000 Avios after charging $20,000 to the card. Big miles, but you’ll have to spend big to get ‘em.
The Executive Club Caveat
As always when discussing British Airways’ Executive Club program, the issue of sky-high fuel surcharges on award tickets must be raised. Although it’s possible to get solid value by redeeming Avios for flights on British Airways’ partner airlines, it does require extra work to circumvent the most noxious fees.
Reader Reality Check
If you’re an Executive Club member, how have you made good use of your Avios?