Get your first credit card
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⚡ Quick answer
- Most banks want 2+ years of UK credit history.
- American Express is more flexible with newcomers. It still runs a credit check.
- Pick a card that matches how you spend. I travel, so I use an Avios card.
ℹ️ This is my personal experience, not financial advice. Check the terms and APR before applying.
🏦 The history problem
Most banks ask for 2+ years of credit history, which you won’t have.
American Express is more flexible with newcomers. They have lots of cards, so you may find one that suits you.
✈️ What I use
I travel home a lot, and it takes forever. So I use the British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card.
- 💷 It costs £300 a year.
- 🆓 Amex also has a free BA card.
🎟️ Why I like it
- ✈️ Every £1 you spend earns 1.25 Avios.
- 🎁 The big prize: spend £15,000 in 12 months (£1,250 a month) and you get a voucher.
You use the voucher when you book a flight with Avios on one of their partner airlines (including British Airways, Iberia, Level and Qatar). It gives you one of two options:
- 💸 50% off the Avios cost. A flight to South America from Barcelona with Iberia at 30,000 Avios costs you 15,000.
- 👫 Two return flights instead of one. Same flight, two seats. Great if you have a partner.
🏠 Pay rent by card
Struggling to spend that much? Payr lets you pay rent with your Amex. You build your credit score and earn rewards at the same time 🙌.