Want more travel hacks and credit card perks? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here. Your next Avios windfall might just be a swipe away. Welcome to the Nectar American Express Credit Card review:
If you love collecting points (or just hoarding them like a dragon), the Nectar American Express credit card might just be your new best friend. And if you’re also an Avios collector, things get even more interesting – because thanks to the Nectar-Avios partnership, your shopping habits could soon have you jetting off to a sunny escape instead of just racking up Sainsbury’s discounts.
In This Post
Is the Nectar Amex a Secret Avios Goldmine?
If you’re looking for a solid everyday spending card that earns rewards, you can convert it into Avios. Nectar American Express is a hidden gem. It’s free for the first year, has a strong sign-up bonus, and offers 1.25 Avios per £1 spent—beating some Avios-branded cards.
The Essentials
Annual Fee: £0 for year one, then £30 per year. Representative APR: 37.1% variable (from year two). Sign-up bonus: 20,000 Nectar points worth £100 (or 12,500 Avios) when you spend £2,000 in the first three months. Earning rate: 2 Nectar points per £1 spent (1.25 Avios per £1 if converted).
Welcome Bonus: How Good Is It?
The sign-up bonus is a juicy 20,000 Nectar points after you spend £2,000 in the first three months. That’s worth £100 in Nectar or 12,500 Avios – a better deal than the free British Airways Amex and even the Barclaycard Avios Mastercard. In other words, it’s free money for a fee-free first year (assuming you can meet the spending requirement).
Who’s Eligible?
- No personal Amex card in the last 24 months? You qualify.
- Is the supplementary cardholder on someone else’s Amex? You’re still eligible.
How Does the Earning Rate Stack Up?
You’ll earn 2 Nectar points per £1 spent (which converts to 1.25 Avios per £1). Shop at Sainsbury’s, and it’s 3 points per £1 (2 from the card and 1 from your regular Nectar account). Compared to other cards, this is a sleeper hit. The free BA Amex and the free Barclaycard Avios Mastercard only earn 1 Avios per £1, while the pricey BA Premium Plus (£300 fee) and Barclaycard Avios Plus (£240 fee) cards earn 1.5 Avios per £1.
Let’s Compare to Other Avios Cards!
| Feature | Nectar Amex | BA Amex (Free) | Barclaycard Avios (Free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | £0 (Yr 1), then £30 | £0 | £0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 12,500 Avios (via Nectar) | 5,000 Avios | 5,000 Avios |
| Earning Rate | 1.25 Avios per £1 | 1 Avios per £1 | 1 Avios per £1 |
| Voucher Perk? | ❌ | 2-4-1 (Economy only) | Upgrade voucher at £20k spend |
| Best For? | Everyday spend, Sainsbury’s shoppers, Avios collectors | Entry-level Avios | Backup Mastercard for Avios |
Verdict? For everyday Avios earning, the Nectar Amex is actually BETTER than the free BA Amex.
Let’s Compare to Cashback Cards!
| Feature | Nectar Amex | Standard Cashback Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | £30 (Yr 1 Free) | £0-£25 |
| Earning Rate | 1% cashback equivalent (2 Nectar points per £1) | 0.1%-0.25% cashback |
| Sign-Up Bonus | £100 in Nectar points | £10-£30 cashback |
| Best For? | Earning flexible points for Avios/hotels/shopping | Simple cash rewards |
Verdict? If you want cash, go cashback. If you want Avios or travel rewards, Nectar Amex wins.
Is This a Good Card for Travel?
Not really. Amex hits you with a 3% foreign exchange fee on international transactions, so it’s not the card to pack for your next adventure abroad. Instead, the Virgin Atlantic credit cards (0% FX fees in the Eurozone). However, if someone else (like your employer) is footing the bill, you’ll earn 3 points per £1 at Hilton properties worldwide.
Should You Get This Card?
✅ Yes, if…
- You want a strong Avios-earning card but don’t care about British Airways branding.
- You already shop at Nectar partners (Sainsbury’s, Argos, eBay, etc.).
- You want a fee-free first year with a strong sign-up bonus.
❌ No, if…
- You don’t shop at Nectar Partners; you just want pure Avios.
- You want a travel card—the 3% FX fee is a killer.
- If you want a premium Avios experience—look at the BA Amex Premium Plus or Barclaycard Avios Plus instead.
More About this Card
Amex issues this card directly and earns Nectar points on every purchase. Spend at Sainsbury’s, Argos, or eBay, and you’ll stack up points even faster. The best part? You can convert Nectar points into Avios at a rate of 400 Nectar points to 250 Avios. It’s a sneaky way to boost your Avios stash without stepping on a plane.
Final Verdict: Is the space in your wallet worth it?
✅ For the first year? Absolutely. The sign-up bonus makes it a no-brainer, and you’ll earn Avios at a better rate than some dedicated Avios cards.
✅ For Year 2 onwards? It’s solid value if you’re spending at least £5,000 per year, but if your spending is lower, that £30 annual fee might start to sting.
🚀 This card’s a fantastic stepping stone to bigger bonuses – you can always get the BA Premium Plus Amex or the Barclaycard Avios Plus later for their bonuses.
In short, it is brilliant for Year 1 and is of great value if you’re a Sainsbury’s shopper and a sneaky Avios-earning sleeper hit. Want to get your hands on it? Apply for the Nectar American Express Credit Card here.
