The Best Avios Earning Credit Cards in the UK (2025)

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:

• Enhanced welcome bonus: 31,000 Avios when applying through a referral link after spending £6,000 in 3 months

• Superior earning rate: 3 Avios/£1 on BA flights and holidays, 1.5 Avios/£1 on everything else

• Valuable Companion Voucher: Earn after £15,000 spend, usable in any cabin including business class, with additional reward seat availability

• Travel protection: Includes flight delay insurance and baggage delay compensation

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:

• Welcome bonus: 25,000 Avios after spending £3,000 in 3 months

• Solid earning rate: 1.5 Avios/£1 on all spending

• Cabin upgrade voucher: After £10,000 spend

• Wider acceptance: Mastercard so accepted everywhere

The upgrade voucher is particularly valuable if you regularly book Premium Economy tickets, as you can upgrade to Club World no extra points. 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:

• Welcome bonus: 6,000 Avios after spending £1,000 in 3 months when you apply through a referral link

• Base earning rate: 1 Avios/£1 spent

• Economy Companion Voucher: Earn after £15,000 spend

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:

• Welcome bonus: 5,000 Avios after spending £1,000 in 3 months

• Standard earning rate: 1 Avios/£1 spent

• Wider acceptance: Mastercard so accepted everywhere

The lower spending requirement for the welcome bonus makes this particularly attractive for those with lower monthly spending. See a more detailed comparison here.

Making Your Choice

Before you apply, consider:

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.

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.

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 how many Avios points you need for a flight to see what makes sense for your target destinations.

Card Acceptance

American Express isn't accepted everywhere in the UK, but don’t let that limit you. 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 Card 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 Business Platinum for its broader travel benefits, so haven't needed the BA Premium Plus

• I also supplement with the Capital on Tap Business Card for additional Avios earning opportunities

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.

How To Maximize Your Avios Earnings

Beyond just using your credit card for everyday spending, here are some additional strategies to boost your Avios balance:

Use the Right Card for the Right Purchase

• Use the BA Premium Plus for all British Airways bookings (3x points)

• Use Amex Gold for foreign currency transactions (2x points)

• Consider the Amex Platinum if you travel frequently and can maximize the benefits

Stack With Other Programs

• Shop through the BA Shopping Portal (check our BA Shopping Portal Avios Offers tracker for current bonuses)

• Consider paying your taxes through Curve with your Avios card using our guide on earning points from your UK VAT bill

• Look for partner promotions with Nectar, Tesco Clubcard, and other loyalty programs

Plan Your Redemptions

• Use our Award Travel Finder to identify the best availability

• Check Flight Seatmap to see the exact cabin layout before booking

• Track your progress towards elite status using our BA Tier Point Calculator

The Bottom Line

For serious Avios collectors, the Premium Plus card is hard to beat despite its fee. The 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 again).

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.

Looking to build a broader points strategy beyond just Avios? Check out our guide on what is the best American Express card to start with for a more comprehensive approach to your points journey.

Have you had a particularly successful redemption using Avios points? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Note: All information is accurate as of February 2025. Credit card offers and terms are subject to change, and acceptance is subject to status.