The Best Avios Earning Credit Cards in the UK (2024)

Which Avios earning card is right for you? Let's break it down.

After years of collecting Avios and testing various credit cards, I've learned that choosing the right Avios-earning credit card isn't just about the highest earn rate or the flashiest sign-up bonus. It's about finding the card that aligns with your travel goals and spending patterns. Let's dive into the current options and figure out which might work best for you.

The Premium Cards: Are They Worth the Fee?

British Airways American Express Premium Plus (£300 annual fee)

This is my top recommendation for serious Avios collectors, and here's why:

• 30,000 Avios welcome bonus (spend £6,000 in 3 months)

• 3 Avios/£1 on BA flights and holidays

• 1.5 Avios/£1 on everything else

• Two-year companion voucher after £10,000 spend

The companion voucher alone can justify the fee if you use it strategically. For instance, I recently booked two Club World tickets to New York using my voucher - the second ticket cost just £400 in taxes instead of the usual 50,000 Avios + £400. If you're planning a long-haul business class trip, this saving alone covers the card fee several times over.

Barclaycard Avios Plus (£240 annual fee)

A strong contender with some unique benefits:

• 25,000 Avios welcome bonus (spend £3,000 in 3 months)

• 1.5 Avios/£1 on all spending

• Cabin upgrade voucher after £10,000 spend

• Mastercard so accepted everywhere

The upgrade voucher is particularly valuable if you regularly book Premium Economy tickets, as you can upgrade to Club World for free. I've found this especially useful for routes where companion voucher availability is scarce.

The No-Fee Options

British Airways American Express (Free)

Perfect for casual Avios collectors:

• 5,000 Avios welcome bonus (spend £2,000 in 3 months)

• 1 Avios/£1 spent

• Companion voucher after £12,000 spend (increasing to £15,000 from November 2024)

Pro tip: If you're new to Avios collecting, start with this card. You can always upgrade to the Premium Plus later if you find yourself maximising the benefits.

Barclaycard Avios (Free)

A solid alternative to the Amex:

• 5,000 Avios welcome bonus (spend £1,000 in 3 months)

• 1 Avios/£1 spent

• Mastercard so accepted everywhere

The lower spending requirement for the welcome bonus makes this particularly attractive for those with lower monthly spending.

Making Your Choice

Before you apply, consider:

1. Your Annual Travel Budget If you spend over £5,000 annually on flights and holidays, the Premium Plus card's 3x earning rate can quickly offset its fee. Use our British Airways Avios Point Calculator to see how your typical flights could stack up.

2. Monthly Spending Premium cards have higher welcome bonus spending requirements. Map out your regular expenses to ensure you can meet these naturally - manufacturing spend isn't worth it.

3. Travel Goals Planning a business class trip? The companion voucher from the Premium Plus could save you thousands. For shorter European hops, the free cards might suffice. Check Smart Redemptions to see how many Avios you'll need for your target destinations.

4. Card Acceptance American Express isn't accepted everywhere in the UK. Consider holding both an Amex and a Barclaycard to ensure you're never missing out on Avios earning opportunities.

My Personal Strategy

My current setup focuses on maximising points and benefits across different scenarios:

• Barclaycard Avios Plus (£240/year) serves as my main Avios earning personal card

• I pair it with Curve for an extra edge:

  • Get 1% cashback on foreign spend (outside UK/EEA)

  • Effectively turns the Barclaycard into a no-foreign-transaction-fee card

  • Allows Avios earning at places that don't accept credit cards directly

• I use an American Express Platinum Business for its broader travel benefits, so haven't needed the BA Premium Plus

• Since I don't frequently fly BA, the companion voucher isn't a priority for me

This combination works well for my travel patterns and spending habits. The Barclaycard's upgrade voucher is a nice-to-have rather than a core part of my strategy, and the card's straightforward 1.5x earning rate on all spend makes it easy to accumulate Avios without thinking too much about category bonuses.

The Bottom Line

For serious Avios collectors, the Premium Plus card is hard to beat despite its fee. The two-year companion voucher validity and higher earning rates make it the strongest option if you can comfortably meet the spending requirements.

However, if you're just starting out or don't spend heavily on cards, start with one of the free options. You can always upgrade later as your travel needs grow (although be warned you won’t get the welcome bonus).

Remember: no matter which card you choose, always pay your balance in full each month. The interest rates on these cards far outweigh any Avios benefits if you carry a balance.

Note: All information is accurate as of October 2024. Credit card offers and terms are subject to change, and acceptance is subject to status.

Top Card Offering 0% Interest until Nearly 2026

This credit card gives more cash back than any other card in the category & will match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year.

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