This credit card hack can get you 20,000 air miles and two lounge passes — and it’s completely free

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November 24, 2017 9:11 AM

Rob Burgess, founder of frequent flier blog Head for Points, said there are plenty of travel deals you can score with credit cards if you know how to use them.

Founder of air miles blog Head for Points said people often overlook the best way to earn points — credit cards.
Rob Burgess said a American Express Preferred Rewards Gold charge card is a route to easy points
By and spending £2,000 within three months you earn 20,000 American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be converted into air miles.
You'll also be given two airport lounge passes just for signing up — and you can cancel any time.

If you've always thought that shiny, gold credit cards are reserved for the rich and famous, you're not alone.

However, signing up for the infamous Amex Gold card is actually complete ley free of charge — and it delivers some pretty big rewards.

Rob Burgess, founder of UK-based frequent flier and air miles blog Head for Points, told Business Insider that most people in the UK don't fully understand the ways they can use credit cards to help with their travel goals — assuming they have a decent credit score, that is.

"the market was in a bad way."

He found retirement quite boring. He had always travelled a lot as part of his job, so he two-year non-compete clause.

He planned to spend three hours a day on it and be able to take his kids to school. However, he said it "got out of control." Now the site has 1.2 million pageviews a month, almost all from the UK and City of London professionals.

"If you have a City analyst brain, the whole frequent flier stuff is easy to get your head around," he said. "It's no different to looking at company accounts."

The best card for beginners

The first thing beginners need to know, according to Burgess, is that anyone who signs up for the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold charge card will be given 20,000

10,000 Membership Rewards points bonus each year you decide to renew (assuming you've spent a hefty £15,000 in the previous year, that is).

Other perks include discounts on car hires through Hertz and hotel credits and upgrades.

You can cancel any time

British Airways American Express card.

While you can basically withdraw your application completely within 14 days of receiving your card, Burgess says the full terms state that you can cancel at any time by writing or calling the company.

"I’ve taken my hobby and turned it into something I enjoy doing," he said.

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