ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

The British Airways American Express Credit Card is a free rewards credit card for those who want to collect Avios and can make use of a Companion Voucher, without paying an annual fee. A paid sister card, the BA Amex Premium Plus (£300/year), is also available, with a higher earn rate, a larger welcome bonus, and additional benefits including British Airways Club tier points. See our comparison of the two cards below.

What happened to the British Airways Executive Club?

British Airways' loyalty programme was renamed from "British Airways Executive Club" to "The British Airways Club" on 1 April 2025, alongside a broader overhaul of how status (Tier Points) is earned. This was a rebrand and restructuring, not a closure: Avios earned on this card continue to work as before, and existing Avios balances were unaffected.

British Airways American Express Credit Card Review

The free card earns 1 Avios per £1 spent, on both general purchases and spending directly with British Airways — there's no bonus rate for BA-specific spend on this card, unlike the paid Premium Plus card.

The Companion Voucher is one of the card's most valuable features, earned by spending £15,000 in a card year (this threshold has increased over time — from £12,000 previously, and £20,000 a few years before that). The voucher can be worth hundreds of pounds, though availability for Companion Voucher seats can be limited, particularly during school holidays and other peak periods — booking early improves the chances of finding suitable seats.

Purchases made abroad, or in a foreign currency, are subject to a 2.99% foreign transaction fee — a separate fee-free travel card may be worth considering alongside this card for use abroad.

Companion Voucher

Every year at least £15,000 is spent on the card, a Companion Voucher is earned, typically posted to the account within 10 to 15 days of reaching the threshold. The voucher can be used to take a companion on the same Reward Flight and cabin for no additional Avios, or for a 50% discount on Avios for a solo booking (taxes, fees, and carrier charges still apply per person in either case).

Vouchers are redeemable on British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus Reward Flights, in Euro Traveller, World Traveller, and economy class cabins only. Outbound travel must be completed before the voucher's expiry date, which is 12 months from issue on the free card (compared to 24 months on the Premium Plus card).

Welcome Offer

Cardholders earn 5,000 Avios for spending £2,000 in the first three months — worth an estimated £50 at a typical 1p/Avios valuation, though the value achieved depends on how the Avios are redeemed. A temporary promotional offer currently doubles this to 10,000 Avios for the same spend requirement, running until 6 October 2026.

Invite a Friend

Cardholders can earn at least 4,000 Avios per approved referral, up to 90,000 Avios a year, when they invite a friend to join American Express.

Eligibility

The Amex website says that it’s best to make sure you:

• Are aged 18 or over

• Have a current UK bank or building society account

• Have a permanent UK home address

• Have no history of bad debt

• Earn at least £15,000 a year

• Do not currently hold a British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card (the two cards can't be held simultaneously)

Check the lender’s current eligibility criteria before applying.

New cardmembers are only eligible for the welcome bonus if they haven't held any personal American Express card in the previous 24 months.

What is the Value of Avios?

Avios value depends on how the points are redeemed, but a starting point is 1p per point. Redeeming for long-haul or premium cabin flights typically delivers higher value than short-haul economy redemptions.

British Airways Amex Card Benefits & Features

Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Comparing to Other Credit Cards

BA Amex vs. BA Amex Premium Plus

Comparing BA Amex Cards — Until 7 October 2026

Comparing BA Amex Cards — From 7 October 2026

(Note: the second table's welcome bonus reverts to 5,000, since the temporary 10,000 offer expires 6 October — one day before the Premium Plus rate change.)

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus card, at £300 a year, earns 3 Avios per £1 on British Airways spending and 1.5 Avios per £1 elsewhere, versus 1 Avios per £1 across all spending on the free card. From 7 October 2026, Premium Plus's rate changes to a flat 1.25 Avios per £1, removing the BA-specific bonus.

Premium Plus also includes British Airways Club tier points (up to 2,500 per year through card spending), and its Companion Vouchers last 24 months, versus 12 months on the free card.

Representative example: Representative 135.7% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £300 annual fee.

Quick Takeaway: Until 7 October 2026, the breakeven point on regular (non-BA) spending is £60,000 a year, rising to £120,000 after that date once Premium Plus's earn rate reduces and its BA-specific bonus is removed. Below the relevant breakeven, the free card's lack of annual fee outweighs Premium Plus's higher earn rate; above it, the reverse is true.

BA Amex vs. Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card by Amex

The Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card by American Express is a free cashback card earning between 0.5% and 1% on all purchases (with a higher initial cashback rate of 5%). There's no annual fee, and annual rewards are not capped.

Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Quick Takeaway: Avios can be worth more than 1p each when redeemed well — for example, via the Companion Voucher — though extracting that value takes active management. Platinum Cashback Everyday pays a flat 0.5%–1% automatically each year, with no redemption decisions required.

BA Amex vs. Barclaycard Avios Mastercard (Free)

The Barclaycard Avios Mastercard also carries no annual fee and earns 1 Avios per £1. As a Mastercard, it's accepted in many places American Express is not. Instead of a Companion Voucher, it offers a Cabin Upgrade Voucher for £20,000 of annual spend.

Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Quick Takeaway: Both cards earn the same rate on regular spending and carry no annual fee. The two reward mechanisms differ in kind — a Companion Voucher (a second seat) versus a Cabin Upgrade Voucher — rather than one being a strictly better version of the other, and each has its own spend threshold to compare.

Terms and conditions apply — always check current details at americanexpress.com before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.

Card details correct as of 048 September 2026. Terms, rates and features are subject to change — always verify current details before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.