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American Express offers 10% cashback at UK attractions: how much could you save?
New cashback scheme includes Alton Towers and Thorpe Park
American Express is giving thrill-seekers and sightseers the chance to save this autumn with a new deal that offers 10% cashback on UK days out.
The new Amex Days Out scheme runs until mid-November and includes popular attractions such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and the London Eye.
Here, we explain how the scheme works and share our tips to make your autumn days out even more budget-friendly.
How to get 10% back with Amex
To qualify for the cashback scheme, you’ll need to save the offer to your Amex credit card via the Amex app or online.
You’ll need to make the booking using your Amex credit card. Once the purchase has gone through, you’ll get 10% back (including booking fees).
The offer applies to online bookings and in-person bookings at some locations.
The cashback will show up as a credit on your Amex card statement within 30 days of the transaction being made.
There is no limit on the number of times the deal can be used, and while bookings must be made by 17 November, you don't need to visit the attraction by this date.
- Find out more: best cashback credit cards
Amex Days Out: where can you go?
The table below shows the locations included in the scheme.
| Destination | Location |
|---|---|
| Alton Towers Resort | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Bear Grylls Adventure | Birmingham |
| Chessington World of Adventures | Chessington |
| The Dungeons | London, Edinburgh, York |
| The Eden Project | Cornwall |
| Legoland Discovery Centre | Birmingham, Manchester |
| The London Eye | London |
What's in the small print?
All Amex personal credit cards are eligible for this offer. Corporate credit cards are not.
You also won’t be rewarded your cashback if you use a third-party payment provider, such as PayPal.
Most locations we checked excluded annual passes, experiences and tours from the offer.
You'll also need to plan your dates carefully, as many theme parks close for the winter season in early November.
- Find out more: best credit card deals September 2024
How much can you earn?
To get an idea how much cashback you could earn, we've analysed the prices of six attractions available under the scheme.
The examples below show the cost of four standard tickets (two adults and two children). You may pay more or less at some locations depending on the height/age of your children, and the day you wish to go.
| Attraction | Cost of family day ticket | Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Thorpe Park | £116 | £11.60 |
| Legoland Windsor | £116 | £11.60 |
| The London Eye | £110 | £11 |
| The London Dungeons | £97 | £9.70 |
| Silverstone Museum | £73 | £7.30 |
| Roman Baths | £65 | £6.50 |
Prices taken online 18/09/24 for standard tickets, booked in advance online.
Is American Express a good credit card provider?
Amex is a Which? Recommended Provider. It achieved a customer score of 79% in our latest survey, placing it second in our table behind Tesco Bank.
It scored five stars for its mobile app and clarity of statements and four stars for its transparency of charges, application process and customer service.
It has three cards that are Which? Best Buys - the American Express Rewards Credit Card for airmiles, the American Express Platinum Cashback Credit Card, and the American Express Platinum Everyday Credit Card for cashback.
- Find out more: best credit card providers 2024
4 ways to save on autumn days out
If you don’t have an American Express credit card, there are still ways to save on attractions and days out.
2 for 1 with your train ticket
Not only do some rail companies let youngsters travel for £1 when you buy an adult ticket, but National Rail also offers two entry tickets for the price of one at a huge number of attractions nationwide.
These include the London Eye, Sea Life locations across Great Britain and historic landmarks including Leeds Castle and Hampton Court Palace.
Before you book, check National Rail's Days Out Guide, which also explains which tickets are valid.
- Find out more: how to save on train tickets
Heritage open days
A series of heritage open days in London, Scotland and Wales means you can visit some of the UK’s best tourist attractions for free this month.
You’ll need to check the dates each attraction is free, and booking in advance is required for some.
A handful of the most popular attractions in the London Open House Days require you to register in advance, as they conduct a ballot for tickets.
Free National Trust pass
You can claim a single-use free pass to visit nearly any National Trust property across the UK until 18 October.
The National Trust's offer allows you to claim entry for two adults and up to three children or one adult and up to four children.
You can only claim the offer once using the National Trust website.
Tesco Clubcard vouchers
If you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, you can convert the points you earn on your loyalty card into vouchers to spend with its Reward Partners. Vouchers can often be used at wildlife parks and theme parks.
