Best Avios Earning Business Credit Cards in the UK

As someone who's spent years optimising business spending for travel rewards, I've found that choosing the right Avios earning business credit card can make a significant difference to your points balance. Let's explore the top options available to UK businesses in 2024.

American Express Business Gold Card

The Entry-Level Champion

• Welcome bonus: 20,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to Avios 1:1) when spending £3,000 in first 3 months

• Annual fee: Free for first year, then £195

• Earning rate: 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent

• Additional perks: 10,000 bonus points for spending £20,000 per quarter

Personal take: This is my go-to recommendation for businesses just starting their Avios journey. The first-year fee waiver makes it particularly attractive, and those quarterly bonuses can really add up if you're hitting them consistently.

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card

The Avios and On Business Points Powerhouse

• Welcome bonus: 30,000 Avios when spending £5,000 in first 3 months

• Annual fee: £250

• Earning rate: 1.5 Avios per £1 spent, plus 1.5 On Business Points per £1 spent with British Airways

• Additional perks: 3,000 bonus On Business Points when spending £20,000+ annually

• Up to 20 free supplementary cards

Personal take: What makes this card particularly interesting is the dual-earning potential of both Avios and On Business Points. For businesses that frequently fly with British Airways, this double-dipping opportunity can provide exceptional value.

Capital on Tap Business Rewards Card

The Direct-to-Avios Option

• Welcome bonus: 10,000 points (convertible to 10,000 Avios) when spending £5,000 in first 3 months

• Annual fee: £99

• Earning rate: 1 point per £1 (converts 1:1 to Avios)

• Additional perks: Free supplementary cards

Personal take: What I particularly love about this card is its simplicity - points convert directly to Avios without needing to think about transfer ratios. The lower spending requirement for the welcome bonus makes it more accessible for smaller businesses too.

Capital on Tap Pro Card

The Premium Travel Companion

• Welcome bonus: 10,000 points (convertible to 10,000 Avios) when spending £5,000 in first 3 months

• Annual fee: £299

• Earning rate: 1 point per £1 (converts 1:1 to Avios)

• Credit limit: Up to £250,000

• APR: As low as 15.22% (variable)

Key Premium Benefits:

• Unlimited access to 1,600+ airport lounges worldwide (Priority Pass membership)

• Two complimentary guest lounge passes annually

• Radisson Rewards VIP status

• Premium metal card

• Dedicated 24/7 customer support

Personal take: This is an excellent option for businesses that want both Avios earning potential and premium travel perks. The unlimited lounge access alone could justify the annual fee for frequent travellers, and the Radisson Rewards VIP status adds significant value for those who often book hotel stays. The metal card is a nice touch, but it's the comprehensive travel benefits package that really sets this card apart. A worthy competitor to the American Express Business Platinum below.

American Express Business Platinum Card

The Premium Powerhouse

• Welcome bonus: 50,000 Membership Rewards points when spending £6,000 in first 3 months

• Annual fee: £650

• Earning rate: 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent

• Additional perks: Airport lounge access, hotel status upgrades, £200 annual travel credit

Personal take: While the annual fee might seem steep, I've found the Platinum card can be incredibly valuable if you're a frequent business traveller. The extended lounge access (through the additional Plaza Premium and Amex Centurion lounge access) alone can transform your travel experience - nothing beats having a quiet space to work between flights. For context, the welcome bonus could get you a return Club World (business class) ticket to many European destinations.

Maximising Your Earnings

Here's my tried-and-tested strategy for maximising Avios from business credit cards:

1. Time your application around big purchases to hit welcome bonuses

2. Use our BA Avios Calculator to understand how your flight spending translates to flight rewards

3. Consider pairing cards - for example, use the Platinum for travel purchases and the Capital on Tap card for everyday spending

4. Add employee cards to consolidate all business spending onto your rewards-earning cards

A Word of Caution

While these cards can be fantastic tools for earning Avios, remember that they typically come with higher APRs than standard business credit cards. To make the rewards worthwhile, you'll need to pay your balance in full each month. The points earned aren't worth paying interest charges.

Looking Ahead

With British Airways' recent changes to their Avios programme, including better availability for reward flights, there's never been a better time to start earning Avios through business spending. If you're planning to chase British Airways status alongside your Avios collection, check out our BA Tier Point Calculator to plan your strategy.

Final Thoughts

For most small to medium-sized UK businesses, I'd recommend starting with either the Amex Gold (if you want flexibility with Membership Rewards points) or the Capital on Tap Business Rewards card (if you want simplicity). For those who travel frequently and can make use of the lounge access and hotel status perks, the Capital on Tap Pro or Amex Platinum cards offer compelling premium options.

Remember, the best card for your business depends on your spending patterns and travel goals. Take time to calculate the potential return on investment, considering both the rewards you'll earn and the benefits you'll use.

Have you had experience with any of these cards? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.