News You May Have Missed at Points Well Made - 22nd Feb

Hello all, hope you're well.

This has been a light news week. No bad thing, it means we've been able to put out some helpful guides for you all.

You'll find time sensitive offers on the two British Airways American Express cards, and a little guide about saving your some money once you've earned your companion voucher. Even if it doesn't effect you directly, we've written a really handy post for all the upcoming changes that British dual citizens can expect to encounter when the rules changes in a week. We've also written two guides, one on Avios subscriptions, and Priority Pass. Lastly, Helena has finally told her tale about how a British Airways IT error gifted her Silver status, and then converting that to Virgin Atlantic Gold.

We are running a Q+A on our Instagram stories today, so any questions, suggestions, and anything in between you may have, please do head over there!

As per usual, if you want to get in touch to change your subscription to a weekly only email, or from weekly to daily, then please do email me sam@pointswellmade.co.uk.

Sam

Can I Cancel My British Airways Amex and Keep My Companion Voucher?

You've hit the £15,000 spend threshold on your British Airways Amex. Your Companion Voucher has landed in your British Airways Club account. And now you're staring at that £300 annual fee thinking: do I actually need to keep this card? Could I save myself £300?

Club World, the aim for most of us!

Once your Companion Voucher appears in your British Airways Club account, it's yours. It's tied to your membership number with a fixed expiry date. Cancelling your British Airways Amex, whether its the Premium Plus or the free version, doesn't change that. But, there is a catch you need to be aware of.

That catch, can be found here.

British Dual Citizens Could Be Denied Boarding from 25th February — Here's What You Need to Know

This one may not affect you directly, but you may know someone who needs to know this!

If you hold British dual citizenship, travelling to the UK is about to become a little less flexible, and potentially a lot more expensive.

For years, many dual citizens were able to enter the UK using whichever passport was most convenient. Those living abroad with British citizenship often travelled on their non-British passport without issue. That informal flexibility is now coming to an end as the UK tightens its border controls under its expanding Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

From 25th February, the rules are changing, and they can be found here.

Last Call: British Airways American Express Enhanced Bonuses End 24 February

British Airways has boosted the welcome bonuses on both of its Amex cards until 24 February, and you've got less than a week left to grab them. The Premium Plus is offering 50,000 Avios (up from the usual 30,000) after £6,000 spend in three months, while the free card has doubled its bonus from 5,000 to 10,000 Avios after £2,000 spend. The Premium Plus carries a £300 annual fee but unlocks all-cabin Companion Vouchers after £15,000 annual spend, while the free card offers economy-only vouchers with no fee whatsoever.

Here's the catch: not all application routes will get you these enhanced bonuses, and BA and Amex have made this unnecessarily confusing. Apply via the American Express website and you'll only get 30,000 Avios on the Premium Plus instead of 50,000.

You need to apply via the British Airways credit cards page or through specific referral links to get the full bonus.

Full breakdown of both cards, which one makes sense for your spending, can be found here.

What Are Avios Subscriptions and Are They Worth It?

Avios subscriptions are one of the quieter corners of the Avios ecosystem.

Launched in 2022, they sit on the Avios website alongside buying and boosting points, but they rarely get the same attention.

That’s partly because they’re slower, partly because they require steady financial commitment, and partly because for many people there’s simply a better alternative.

That doesn’t mean Avios subscriptions are pointless, there is a time and a place.

Here’s what an Avios subscription actually is, how it works, and who, if anyone, should consider signing up. Click here to find out more.

Priority Pass UK Review 2026: Is This Lounge Pass Worth It?

Airports have become increasingly stressful places to spend time. Whether it's hunting for somewhere to sit, paying £6 for a coffee, or navigating a departure hall so crowded it tips into full sensory overload. Waiting for a flight is not as simple as it should be.

These are exactly the problems Priority Pass was designed to solve. Instead of waiting in the terminal surrounded by noise, chaos and drama, members can access airport lounges around the world, offering a welcome respite coupled with comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi, good food, great drinks and a noticeably calmer environment before jetting off to your destination.

What is Priority Pass, and how does it work, can be found here.

How a British Airways Error Led to Virgin Atlantic Gold Status

Story-time!

A couple of weeks ago, we published a guide explaining what airline status actually is, because despite how often people talk about Bronze, Silver and Gold, it’s all surprisingly fuzzy around the edges.

While writing it, I was reminded of one of my favourite moments from our points journey. A genuine accident and a total fluke. The best part? It was an error that resulted in three years of high-level airline status with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, despite that never being the goal.

This is the story of how a points redemption, a road trip through California, and a Valentine’s Day promotion combined to give me BA Silver status and Virgin Atlantic Gold, entirely by mistake.

Let's jump into this rollercoaster of a ride!