The Harrods Amex (One Of The Rarest Amex Cards)

Chances are unless you are a regular shopper in Harrods you never knew the Harrods Amex even existed. Even then it’s quite possible you never paid attention to the various leaflets in-store. What’s more, unlike other Amex cards, it’s not mentioned on the American Express website. Intrigued? Read on to find out more about the Harrods Amex and why it’s one of the rarest Amex cards in the UK!

What are the benefits of The Harrods Amex?

With the change of the Platinum Card to a credit card, it is now the only personal CHARGE card offered by Amex in the UK that doesn’t require you to have an extremely high net worth to get (Centurion (Black) Amex.)

There is an annual fee of £150 which gets you…

• A sign-up bonus of 5,000 Harrods Rewards points when you spend £3,000 or more within the first 3 months of Cardmembership (worth £50)
• 1,000 Harrods Rewards points upon first Supplementary Card approval
• Two additional Harrods Rewards points for every £1 spent with Harrods (In addition to the 1 point you already get as a Harrods Rewards member)
• One Harrods Rewards point for every £1 spent outside of Harrods
• One complimentary Full-Body Cryotherapy treatment (retail value £95) at The Wellness Clinic in Harrods
• Bonus Harrods Rewards points during Harrods Sale Previews
• Invitations to exclusive Harrods events
• Exclusive access to American Express® Experiences
• Amex Offers

You can read about the card on Harrods website here – https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/harrods-american-express

Why is it one of the rarest Amex cards?

For a couple of reasons…

1. Most people (unless you shop at Harrods) have never heard of the card
2. You can’t just apply for it on the Amex or Harrods website. The Harrods website requires you to contact them to enquire about applying.
3. It used to be that only Black or Gold Harrods card holders could apply (£5,000+ annual spend in Harrods.) This requirement is still mentioned on the Harrods website BUT in practise it seems it no longer applies.

How can I apply?

You can find the application form for the Harrods Amex here – https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/charge-cards/apply/personal/harrods

It doesn’t make it clear what the requirements to apply are other than being a member of Harrods Rewards. If you haven’t contacted Harrods or been invited to apply do so at your own risk…

Is it worth getting the Harrods Amex?

In the first year you should do OK…

• Sign-up bonus of 5,000 Harrods Rewards points (£50)
• 1,000 Harrods Rewards points for the first supplementary card (£10)
• One complimentary Full-Body Cryotherapy treatment (retail value £95)

Puts you at £155 before any additional points earned or value you place on “exclusive Harrods events” in the first year. I fail to see any ongoing value by having the card unless you do a lot of high-end luxury spending at Harrods where you could get an extra discount on rarely discounted goods.

Conclusion

You needn’t pay a £150 annual fee for a card with the equivalent of 1% cashback, however. The American Express Rewards Credit Card, British Airways American Express & The Amex Gold Card all have an equivalent cashback earning rate, lower annual fee, and a larger sign-up bonus. The only thing the Harrods Amex seems to have going for it is its unique look…