Erin Yurday
Author
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card: Is it Worth the Fee?
ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.
The British Airways American Express Premium Plus card carries a £300 annual fee in exchange for a higher Avios earn rate, a larger welcome bonus, and additional benefits including British Airways Club tier points. A free sister card (BA Amex Credit Card) is also available, with a lower earn rate and a smaller welcome bonus.
Our analysis is based on a review of more than 100 UK credit cards from 25 providers, assessed across fees, APRs, rewards, introductory offers and other key features. Latest rolling analysis conducted in September 2026. See our full methodology here.
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 — moving from a flight/cabin-based system to one based mainly on spending. 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.
Upcoming change to Premium Plus earn rates: From 7 October 2026, the Premium Plus card's general earn rate reduces from 1.5 to 1.25 Avios per £1, and the 3 Avios per £1 bonus rate on British Airways flights and holidays is being removed entirely — both rates become a flat 1.25 Avios per £1. This change affects the Premium Plus card only; the free card's earn rate is unaffected.
The Premium Plus card is designed for frequent BA flyers, earning Avios that can be redeemed for reward flights, upgrades, and more. Until 7 October 2026, the card earns 3 Avios per £1 spent directly with British Airways or BA Holidays, and 1.5 Avios per £1 on other spending. From 7 October 2026, both rates change to a flat 1.25 Avios per £1.
The welcome bonus is 30,000 Avios (worth roughly £300 at a typical 1p/Avios valuation) for spending £6,000 in the first three months. A temporary promotional offer currently doubles this to 60,000 Avios for the same spend requirement, running until 6 October 2026. The actual value achieved depends on how Avios are redeemed — redeeming for Business seats or cabin upgrades typically delivers more value than the 1p/point baseline.
Companion Voucher
Much of this card's value comes from the Companion Voucher, earned by spending £15,000 in a card year. 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 apply per person in either case).
Vouchers are redeemable on British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus Reward Flights, in any cabin. Premium Plus cardholders also get access to additional Reward Flight seats within Club World (business class) when booking with a Companion Voucher, subject to availability — a benefit not available on the free card.
Outbound travel must be completed before the voucher's expiry date, which is 24 months from issue on the Premium Plus card (compared to 12 months on the free card).
Tier Points
Premium Plus cardholders can currently earn up to 2,500 British Airways Club tier points per membership year through card spending, separate from Avios and contributing toward status tiers (Bronze requires 3,500 tier points, Silver 7,500, Gold 20,000). This benefit is not available on the free BA Amex card.
Earn 750 tier points when you spend £15,000
A further 750 tier points (1,500 total) when you spend £20,000
A further 1,000 tier points (2,500 total) when you spend £25,000
Cardmembers must opt in and enrol by 25 January 2027, with qualifying spend completed by 1 February 2027. Tier points don't count toward your Avios balance, and typically transfer to your British Airways Club account within eight weeks of reaching each threshold.
Upcoming change to tier points: From 1 April 2027, this system changes to an automatic structure — 1 tier point per £10 spent, with no opt-in or thresholds required, and the annual cap rising from 2,500 to 3,000.
Other Features
Purchases made abroad, or in a foreign currency, are subject to a 2.99% foreign exchange fee — a separate no-FX-fee travel credit card may be worth considering alongside this card for use abroad (which would incur an additional hard credit search).
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.
Eligibility
The Amex website says it's best to make sure you can say that 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 £35,000 a year
Do not currently hold a free British Airways American Express Credit Card (the two cards can't be held simultaneously)
American Express makes the final eligibility decision and may apply further checks. Eligibility is lender-dependent
New cardmembers are only eligible for the welcome bonus if they haven't held a personal British Airways American Express card product in the previous 24 months.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Benefits & Features
Feature | Amount |
Welcome Bonus | 30,000 Avios (60,000 until 6 Oct 2026), spend £6,000 in first three months |
Companion Voucher | Earned by spending £15,000 per card year |
Earning Avios (until 7 Oct 2026) | 3 Avios/£1 with BA/BA Holidays; 1.5 Avios/£1 elsewhere |
Earning Avios (from 7 Oct 2026) | 1.25 Avios/£1 on all spending |
Invite a Friend | At least 9,000 Avios per approved referral, up to 90,000/year |
Transaction Fees | 2.99% non-sterling; 3% (£3 minimum) cash withdrawal fee |
Travel Inconvenience Insurance | £200 for flight delay/overbooking/missed connection; £750 for baggage delayed 6+ hours; additional £1,000 for extended baggage delay |
Travel Accident Insurance | Up to £250,000 on public transport tickets purchased with the card |
Enrolment in Global Assist and The British Airways Club | Included |
Annual Fee | £300 |
Representative APR (variable) | 135.7% |
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.
Current Breakeven: Premium Plus vs. Free BA Amex Card
Until 7 October 2026, assuming an Avios value of 1p, the breakeven point between the two cards is £60,000 of regular (non-BA) annual spending — above that, the higher earn rate outweighs the £300 fee. Spending directly on BA flights and holidays, which earns at 3x versus 1x on the free card, lowers that crossover point further.
Annual Spend | Free Card (1.0/£1) | Premium Plus (1.5/£1) | Premium Plus Net (minus £300) | Card with Higher Rewards |
£50,000 | £500 | £750 | £450 | Free (+£50) |
£55,000 | £550 | £825 | £525 | Free (+£25) |
£60,000 | £600 | £900 | £600 | TIE (Breakeven) |
£65,000 | £650 | £975 | £675 | Premium Plus (+£25) |
Post-7 October 2026 Breakeven
From 7 October 2026, the breakeven point rises to £120,000 of annual spend — double the current figure — because the earn-rate advantage narrows from 0.5 Avios/£1 to 0.25 Avios/£1, while the £300 fee stays the same. Since the 3x BA-specific bonus is also being removed, there's no longer a separate, lower breakeven for BA-heavy spenders — from this date, all spending on the Premium Plus card earns at the same flat rate as general spending.
Annual Spend | Free Card (1.0/£1) | Premium Plus (1.25/£1) | Premium Plus Net (minus £300) | Card with Higher Rewards |
£50,000 | £500 | £625 | £325 | Free (+£175) |
£100,000 | £1,000 | £1,250 | £950 | Free (+£50) |
£120,000 | £1,200 | £1,500 | £1,200 | TIE (Breakeven) |
£150,000 | £1,500 | £1,875 | £1,575 | Premium Plus (+£75) |
£200,000 | £2,000 | £2,500 | £2,200 | Premium Plus (+£200) |
Comparing to Other Credit Cards
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. BA Amex (Free)
The free British Airways American Express card carries no annual fee, earning 1 Avios per £1 spent. Until 7 October 2026, Premium Plus earns 1.5 Avios/£1 generally (3 Avios/£1 on BA spend) for a £300 fee; from 7 October, both cards' rates converge somewhat, with Premium Plus earning a flat 1.25 Avios/£1.
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: The breakeven point on regular spending is currently £60,000 a year, rising to £120,000 from 7 October 2026 once Premium Plus's earn rate reduces and its BA-specific bonus is removed.
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. Platinum Cashback Card by American Express
The Platinum Cashback Credit Card by American Express earns 0.75%–1.25% cashback on all purchases (with a higher initial rate of 5%), for a £25 annual fee, with no cap on annual rewards.
Representative example: Representative 34.6% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £25 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 pays a flat 0.75%–1.25% automatically each year, with no redemption decisions required.
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
The Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard carries a £240 annual fee (£20/month) — cheaper than the Amex — and, until 7 October 2026, matches Premium Plus's current 1.5 Avios/£1 general earn rate. As a Mastercard, it's accepted more widely than Amex. Instead of a Companion Voucher, it offers a Cabin Upgrade Voucher for £10,000 of annual spend.
Representative example: Representative 80.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) and a £240 annual fee (£20 charged monthly).
Quick Takeaway: Barclaycard's annual fee is lower (£240 vs. £300), and its Cabin Upgrade Voucher requires less annual spend (£10,000 vs. £15,000) than the Companion Voucher. The two vouchers differ in kind — a companion seat versus a cabin upgrade — rather than one being a strictly better version of the other. From 7 October 2026, Barclaycard's 1.5 Avios/£1 rate will exceed Premium Plus's new flat 1.25 Avios/£1 rate on general spending.
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 04 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.
Erin Yurday
Author
Meet the author
Author
Erin Yurday
Erin was the founder of NimbleFins, a data driven personal finance site. A former derivatives trader and finance expert at the Stanford Graduate School. Erin turns research into plain answers so you can understand your credit.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card: Is it Worth the Fee?
Erin Yurday
Author
ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.
The British Airways American Express Premium Plus card carries a £300 annual fee in exchange for a higher Avios earn rate, a larger welcome bonus, and additional benefits including British Airways Club tier points. A free sister card (BA Amex Credit Card) is also available, with a lower earn rate and a smaller welcome bonus.
Our analysis is based on a review of more than 100 UK credit cards from 25 providers, assessed across fees, APRs, rewards, introductory offers and other key features. Latest rolling analysis conducted in September 2026. See our full methodology here.
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 — moving from a flight/cabin-based system to one based mainly on spending. 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.
Upcoming change to Premium Plus earn rates: From 7 October 2026, the Premium Plus card's general earn rate reduces from 1.5 to 1.25 Avios per £1, and the 3 Avios per £1 bonus rate on British Airways flights and holidays is being removed entirely — both rates become a flat 1.25 Avios per £1. This change affects the Premium Plus card only; the free card's earn rate is unaffected.
The Premium Plus card is designed for frequent BA flyers, earning Avios that can be redeemed for reward flights, upgrades, and more. Until 7 October 2026, the card earns 3 Avios per £1 spent directly with British Airways or BA Holidays, and 1.5 Avios per £1 on other spending. From 7 October 2026, both rates change to a flat 1.25 Avios per £1.
The welcome bonus is 30,000 Avios (worth roughly £300 at a typical 1p/Avios valuation) for spending £6,000 in the first three months. A temporary promotional offer currently doubles this to 60,000 Avios for the same spend requirement, running until 6 October 2026. The actual value achieved depends on how Avios are redeemed — redeeming for Business seats or cabin upgrades typically delivers more value than the 1p/point baseline.
Companion Voucher
Much of this card's value comes from the Companion Voucher, earned by spending £15,000 in a card year. 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 apply per person in either case).
Vouchers are redeemable on British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus Reward Flights, in any cabin. Premium Plus cardholders also get access to additional Reward Flight seats within Club World (business class) when booking with a Companion Voucher, subject to availability — a benefit not available on the free card.
Outbound travel must be completed before the voucher's expiry date, which is 24 months from issue on the Premium Plus card (compared to 12 months on the free card).
Tier Points
Premium Plus cardholders can currently earn up to 2,500 British Airways Club tier points per membership year through card spending, separate from Avios and contributing toward status tiers (Bronze requires 3,500 tier points, Silver 7,500, Gold 20,000). This benefit is not available on the free BA Amex card.
Earn 750 tier points when you spend £15,000
A further 750 tier points (1,500 total) when you spend £20,000
A further 1,000 tier points (2,500 total) when you spend £25,000
Cardmembers must opt in and enrol by 25 January 2027, with qualifying spend completed by 1 February 2027. Tier points don't count toward your Avios balance, and typically transfer to your British Airways Club account within eight weeks of reaching each threshold.
Upcoming change to tier points: From 1 April 2027, this system changes to an automatic structure — 1 tier point per £10 spent, with no opt-in or thresholds required, and the annual cap rising from 2,500 to 3,000.
Other Features
Purchases made abroad, or in a foreign currency, are subject to a 2.99% foreign exchange fee — a separate no-FX-fee travel credit card may be worth considering alongside this card for use abroad (which would incur an additional hard credit search).
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.
Eligibility
The Amex website says it's best to make sure you can say that 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 £35,000 a year
Do not currently hold a free British Airways American Express Credit Card (the two cards can't be held simultaneously)
American Express makes the final eligibility decision and may apply further checks. Eligibility is lender-dependent
New cardmembers are only eligible for the welcome bonus if they haven't held a personal British Airways American Express card product in the previous 24 months.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Benefits & Features
Feature | Amount |
Welcome Bonus | 30,000 Avios (60,000 until 6 Oct 2026), spend £6,000 in first three months |
Companion Voucher | Earned by spending £15,000 per card year |
Earning Avios (until 7 Oct 2026) | 3 Avios/£1 with BA/BA Holidays; 1.5 Avios/£1 elsewhere |
Earning Avios (from 7 Oct 2026) | 1.25 Avios/£1 on all spending |
Invite a Friend | At least 9,000 Avios per approved referral, up to 90,000/year |
Transaction Fees | 2.99% non-sterling; 3% (£3 minimum) cash withdrawal fee |
Travel Inconvenience Insurance | £200 for flight delay/overbooking/missed connection; £750 for baggage delayed 6+ hours; additional £1,000 for extended baggage delay |
Travel Accident Insurance | Up to £250,000 on public transport tickets purchased with the card |
Enrolment in Global Assist and The British Airways Club | Included |
Annual Fee | £300 |
Representative APR (variable) | 135.7% |
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.
Current Breakeven: Premium Plus vs. Free BA Amex Card
Until 7 October 2026, assuming an Avios value of 1p, the breakeven point between the two cards is £60,000 of regular (non-BA) annual spending — above that, the higher earn rate outweighs the £300 fee. Spending directly on BA flights and holidays, which earns at 3x versus 1x on the free card, lowers that crossover point further.
Annual Spend | Free Card (1.0/£1) | Premium Plus (1.5/£1) | Premium Plus Net (minus £300) | Card with Higher Rewards |
£50,000 | £500 | £750 | £450 | Free (+£50) |
£55,000 | £550 | £825 | £525 | Free (+£25) |
£60,000 | £600 | £900 | £600 | TIE (Breakeven) |
£65,000 | £650 | £975 | £675 | Premium Plus (+£25) |
Post-7 October 2026 Breakeven
From 7 October 2026, the breakeven point rises to £120,000 of annual spend — double the current figure — because the earn-rate advantage narrows from 0.5 Avios/£1 to 0.25 Avios/£1, while the £300 fee stays the same. Since the 3x BA-specific bonus is also being removed, there's no longer a separate, lower breakeven for BA-heavy spenders — from this date, all spending on the Premium Plus card earns at the same flat rate as general spending.
Annual Spend | Free Card (1.0/£1) | Premium Plus (1.25/£1) | Premium Plus Net (minus £300) | Card with Higher Rewards |
£50,000 | £500 | £625 | £325 | Free (+£175) |
£100,000 | £1,000 | £1,250 | £950 | Free (+£50) |
£120,000 | £1,200 | £1,500 | £1,200 | TIE (Breakeven) |
£150,000 | £1,500 | £1,875 | £1,575 | Premium Plus (+£75) |
£200,000 | £2,000 | £2,500 | £2,200 | Premium Plus (+£200) |
Comparing to Other Credit Cards
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. BA Amex (Free)
The free British Airways American Express card carries no annual fee, earning 1 Avios per £1 spent. Until 7 October 2026, Premium Plus earns 1.5 Avios/£1 generally (3 Avios/£1 on BA spend) for a £300 fee; from 7 October, both cards' rates converge somewhat, with Premium Plus earning a flat 1.25 Avios/£1.
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: The breakeven point on regular spending is currently £60,000 a year, rising to £120,000 from 7 October 2026 once Premium Plus's earn rate reduces and its BA-specific bonus is removed.
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. Platinum Cashback Card by American Express
The Platinum Cashback Credit Card by American Express earns 0.75%–1.25% cashback on all purchases (with a higher initial rate of 5%), for a £25 annual fee, with no cap on annual rewards.
Representative example: Representative 34.6% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £25 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 pays a flat 0.75%–1.25% automatically each year, with no redemption decisions required.
BA Amex Premium Plus vs. Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
The Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard carries a £240 annual fee (£20/month) — cheaper than the Amex — and, until 7 October 2026, matches Premium Plus's current 1.5 Avios/£1 general earn rate. As a Mastercard, it's accepted more widely than Amex. Instead of a Companion Voucher, it offers a Cabin Upgrade Voucher for £10,000 of annual spend.
Representative example: Representative 80.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) and a £240 annual fee (£20 charged monthly).
Quick Takeaway: Barclaycard's annual fee is lower (£240 vs. £300), and its Cabin Upgrade Voucher requires less annual spend (£10,000 vs. £15,000) than the Companion Voucher. The two vouchers differ in kind — a companion seat versus a cabin upgrade — rather than one being a strictly better version of the other. From 7 October 2026, Barclaycard's 1.5 Avios/£1 rate will exceed Premium Plus's new flat 1.25 Avios/£1 rate on general spending.
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 04 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.
Erin Yurday
Author
Meet the author
Author
Erin Yurday
Erin was the founder of NimbleFins, a data driven personal finance site. A former derivatives trader and finance expert at the Stanford Graduate School. Erin turns research into plain answers so you can understand your credit.