There are two British Airways American Express credit cards available in the UK: the free British Airways American Express Credit Card and the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, which carries an annual fee of £300. Both earn Avios (British Airways' loyalty currency) on everyday spending, with points credited to a linked British Airways Club account.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

How Avios are earned

The free card earns 1 Avios per £1 spent on purchases. The Premium Plus card earns 1.5 Avios per £1 on general spending, and 3 Avios per £1 on British Airways flights and holidays booked directly.

Welcome bonuses

The free card currently offers 5,000 bonus Avios for spending £2,000 in the first three months. The Premium Plus card offers 30,000 bonus Avios for spending £6,000 in the first three months. Note, the welcome bonuses are only available to new cardholders who have not held a British Airways American Express card in the previous 24 months.

Companion Voucher

Both cards offer a Companion Voucher when £15,000 is spent in a card year, which can be used to take a companion on the same Avios reward flight for no additional Avios, or to get a 50% discount on Avios for a solo reward flight.

Companion Vouchers can be used on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus, and until 31 March 2027 can also be redeemed to get back 25% of the Avios used to pay for a British Airways Holidays package. Vouchers earned on the free card are valid for economy cabins only; those earned on the Premium Plus card can be used across all cabins.

Tier points

Premium Plus cardholders can currently earn up to 2,500 BA Club tier points per year by reaching spending thresholds on the card. This is separate from Avios earned on spending and can help cardholders progress toward Silver or Gold status in the British Airways Club.

• Earn 750 tier points when you spend £15,000

• Earn 1,500 tier points when you spend £20,000

• Earn 2,500 tier points when you spend £25,000

Cardmembers must enrol by 25 January 2027 and spend by 1 February 2027. Terms and eligibility apply.

Note, these extra tier points are not earned on the free BA Amex card, only the paid card.

Other features

Both cards carry a 2.99% foreign exchange fee on non-sterling transactions, which makes them less cost-effective for overseas spending. A separate fee-free travel card may be worth considering alongside these cards for use abroad.

Representative examples

Free card: representative APR 29.1% variable. Based on an assumed borrowing of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable), with no annual fee.

Premium Plus card: representative APR 135.7% variable, including the £300 annual fee. Purchase rate 29.1% p.a. (variable).

These representative examples reflect the rate offered to at least 51% of successful applicants. Your rate may differ depending on individual circumstances. Both cards are issued by American Express. 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.