The best Avios credit card in the UK depends on how much you spend and how often you fly with British Airways, but for most frequent travellers, the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card is considered the best overall. Avios credit cards help UK consumers earn reward points for flights and travel. Here’s how they compare, how they work, and whether they’re worth it in 2025.
Avios Credit Card | Avios per £1 | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Representative APR | Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
British Airways Amex (Standard) | 1 Avios | £0 | 5,000 Avios (if spend £1,000/3m) | 31.00% | Companion voucher (high spend) |
British Airways Amex (Premium Plus) | 1.5 Avios | £300 | 25,000 Avios (if spend £3,000/3m) | 76.00% | 2-4-1 voucher (more flexible) |
Barclaycard Avios | 1 Avios | £0 | 5,000 Avios (if spend £1,000/3m) | 29.90% | BA upgrade voucher (if spend £20,000) |
Barclaycard Avios Plus | 1.5 Avios | £240 | 25,000 Avios (if spend £3,000/3m) | 80.10% | BA upgrade voucher (if spend £10,000) |
Best Overall Avios Credit Card: BA Amex Premium Plus
The BA Amex Premium Plus Card offers frequent British Airways travellers who want to earn lots of Avios quickly and make use of companion vouchers for premium cabin travel.
It offers the most Avios per £1, the largest sign-up bonus, and the most valuable perk: a flexible 2-for-1 companion voucher (valid in business or first class if you redeem with Avios). It’s also easier to use the voucher with fewer restrictions than the free version.
- Avios per £1 spent: 1.5 (3 on BA purchases)
- Sign-up bonus: 25,000 Avios (if you spend £3,000 in 3 months)
- Annual fee: £300
- Key perk: Companion voucher (valid on all cabins)
- APR: 76.0% representative APR (variable)
Best No-Fee Alternative Avios Credit Card: Barclaycard Avios
If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, Barclaycard Avios is the top choice. It still earns 1 Avios per £1, comes with a 5,000-point bonus, and can unlock a BA upgrade voucher with high spending.
Choose BA Amex Premium Plus if you fly BA regularly and want to maximise value. Choose Barclaycard Avios if you want to start earning Avios without any upfront cost.
What Are Avios Credit Cards?
Avios credit cards are linked to the British Airways Executive Club and allow users to collect Avios points as they spend. These points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, and car hire with British Airways and its oneworld partners.
How Do They Work?
Each pound you spend earns a set number of Avios. Some cards offer higher rates for spending with British Airways or in foreign currencies. Many cards also include introductory bonuses if you meet minimum spend thresholds in the first few months. Perks like companion or upgrade vouchers are available for higher spenders.
To benefit, you must link your credit card to your British Airways Executive Club account. Points are typically transferred monthly.
Pros of Avios Credit Cards
- Free flights: Accumulate points to offset travel costs.
- Intro bonuses: High-value sign-up offers make a strong early impact.
- Travel perks: Companion and upgrade vouchers increase Avios value.
- No foreign transaction fees (some cards).
Cons of Avios Credit Cards
- High APRs: These are not good cards if you carry a balance.
- Annual fees: Premium versions charge £240–£300 per year.
- Complex rewards: Avios redemptions can be restrictive or poor value if used outside of off-peak flights.
- Value depends on travel: Not ideal for those who rarely fly with BA.
Alternatives to Avios Credit Cards
- Cashback cards (e.g. Amex Platinum Cashback): Simple value with no need to redeem for flights.
- Hotel rewards cards (e.g. Marriott Bonvoy Amex): Better for frequent hotel stays than air travel.
- Flexible travel cards (e.g. Amex Gold): Earn points convertible to Avios and other airline programs.
Avios cards are best suited to loyal British Airways flyers who can maximise vouchers and fly off-peak. If you’re flexible and travel often, the rewards can easily outweigh the fees. Otherwise, a cashback or flexible points card may offer better all-round value.