In a few minutes you’ll know how Avios earning works, what the companion voucher actually does, what fees and eligibility look like, and easy ways to squeeze more value from everyday spending.
Why this card gets attention
Among UK airline cards, the BA Amex stands out because it pairs steady Avios earning with a perk that can seriously stretch your points: the companion voucher.
More About Credit Cards
Below, we’ll share articles related to this topic. So, read on:Your Avios flow straight into your British Airways Executive Club account, and if you like booking premium cabins, the savings can be meaningful.
What we’ll cover
- What each version of the card includes
- How to earn Avios (and speed it up)
- The companion voucher in plain terms
- Fees, eligibility, welcome bonuses, and insurance
- Practical strategies and common pitfalls
Two versions, two use cases
Standard Card — lower annual cost, solid earning, access to a companion voucher once you hit the spend target.
Premium Plus Card — higher fee, stronger earning, and perks geared toward frequent travellers and premium redemptions.
Both link directly to your Executive Club account, so think of them as an Avios booster—especially if you can plan one or two smart redemptions a year.
Headline features
- Earn Avios on everyday spending
- Annual companion voucher (2-for-1 on reward flights) once you reach the spend threshold
- BA-centric perks that fit the Executive Club ecosystem
- Built-in travel protections and occasional partner offers
The companion voucher, demystified
The short version:
- Spend the required amount in your card year to earn a voucher.
- Use it to book two BA reward seats on a return trip while paying the Avios for just one seat.
- You still cover taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both travellers.
- BA-operated flights only, and you book the round trip in one go.
- There’s a validity window—note the issue and expiry dates.
Where it shines: long-haul premium cabins. Avios prices for Club World or First can be chunky; halving the Avios for two people can save a lot. Be flexible on dates and routes, and search early.
Pro tip: set reminders for the voucher’s issue and expiry dates so you have time to find seats that work.
How Avios earning works
Earning rates vary by card and category, but the pattern is simple:
- BA purchases: elevated on Standard, even higher on Premium Plus
- Foreign currency: base on Standard, bonus on Premium Plus
- All other spending: base on Standard, boosted base on Premium Plus
You’ll earn on groceries, bills, insurance—pretty much everything. Occasionally, Amex or BA runs promos that boost certain merchants or categories, so keep an eye on your email/app.
Note: Avios from card spend are different from Tier Points. Avios help with redemptions; Tier Points affect your status.
Who should consider Premium Plus?
Premium Plus fits people who (a) put more spend on cards, (b) fly BA a few times a year, or (c) aim for premium cabin redemptions. You get:
- Higher earning on everyday and BA spend
- Broader travel protections with higher limits
- Access to premium-leaning offers and experiences
If you can make at least one strong premium redemption a year, the maths often favours Premium Plus despite the fee.
Fees: judging the value
Don’t look at the annual fee in isolation. Ask what you’ll get back.
- Standard: great entry point if you’ll collect Avios steadily and actually use the voucher.
- Premium Plus: best for bigger spenders or frequent BA travellers who’ll redeem in cabins where Avios go further.
Welcome promotions: watch for boosted sign-up bonuses or first-year fee incentives—timing can make year one excellent.
Welcome bonuses: your head start
Sign-up bonuses can be enough for a quick European return. They usually require hitting a spend threshold in the first few months, sometimes with tiered levels.
Strategy: don’t overspend just to chase a bonus. Time your application around expenses you already have—holidays, home projects, insurance renewals—so the bonus lands without straining your budget.
Travel insurance and protections
Both versions include travel cover; Premium Plus usually has broader protection and higher limits. Typical benefits can include overseas medical, trip cancellation/curtailment, baggage delays, and car-hire excess. Always check the current policy wording for your trip.
If you already carry a separate policy, compare coverage. For short/simple trips, the card’s cover may be enough; for bigger itineraries, you may still prefer a standalone policy.
Eligibility and applying
You’ll generally need to be:
- A UK resident aged 18+
- Meeting minimum income criteria
- With a good credit history and a UK bank account
Also note Amex’s 24-month rule for welcome bonuses (no new bonus if you’ve held the same card in the past 24 months). Online applications are quick and many decisions are instant—have your personal, employment, and income details ready.
Is the BA Amex worth it?
It depends on you:
- Will you fly BA at least once a year—or could you if a good redemption pops up?
- Can you realistically use a companion voucher before it expires?
- Do you want premium cabin redemptions where Avios tend to deliver the best value?
If you’re nodding along, the card—especially Premium Plus—often makes sense. If you rarely fly BA or prefer flexible bank points, you might compare alternatives. But for BA-aligned travellers, the earn + voucher combo is tough to beat.
Practical ways to maximise value
- Plan your spend so you cross the voucher threshold without unnecessary purchases.
- Search early and stay flexible on dates/routes to find the seats that make the voucher shine.
- Consider BA Holidays—packages can earn well and count toward your threshold.
- Stack promos: Executive Club offers, Amex merchant deals, and BA shopping/dining portals can layer on extra Avios.
- Keep Avios alive: any qualifying earn or redemption resets expiry.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Missing the voucher threshold: track your progress as your card anniversary approaches.
- Letting Avios expire: set a reminder to earn or redeem something small if you’ve been inactive.
- Overlooking smaller perks: partner deals and time-limited promos add quiet value.
- Paying cash when awards exist: always check reward space before buying cash tickets.
- Waiting too long: the best premium redemptions often need early searches or date flexibility.
