×
British Airways American Express: Avios Rewards Guide 2025

British Airways American Express: A Complete Guide to Avios Rewards in 2025

Let’s cut to it — if you fly British Airways even semi-regularly, one of the British Airways American Express Amex cards can absolutely save you money, but only if you use them right. Here’s how they work in 2025, what’s changed, and what’s worth your time (and money).

The Two Cards

British Airways American Express Credit Card (Free)

  • £0 annual fee
  • Earn 1 Avios per £1 you spend
  • 5,000 Avios sign-up bonus if you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months
  • You get a Companion Voucher when you spend £15,000/year, but it only works for Economy and has limited value unless you're flying off-peak

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

  • ~£300 annual fee
  • Earn 1.5 Avios per £1 on everyday spend, 3 Avios per £1 with BA
  • 30,000–60,000 Avios bonus for spending £3,000–£6,000 in 3 months, depending on the offer
  • Companion Voucher works in any class, including Club World and First. Much more valuable.
  • Also lets you earn Tier Points through spending

How Avios Work (And Don’t Work)

Avios are British Airways’ loyalty currency. You earn them through flights, credit card spend, shopping portals, and even converting Nectar points. You can use them to pay for flights, upgrades, or part of a fare (not taxes/fees). Good value redemptions:
  • Short-haul Europe flights on off-peak dates
  • Long-haul flights in business class using a Companion Voucher
  • Reward Flight Saver deals, where BA caps the taxes/fees
Bad value:
  • Using Avios on high-demand routes without a voucher
  • Paying fully with Avios and still being hit with £300+ in fees
  • Low-cost short-haul flights where cash is cheaper

Big Change in 2025: Tier Points from Spending

Before 2025, the only way to get Bronze, Silver, or Gold status was by flying a lot. Now, you can earn up to 3,000 Tier Points per year just by spending on the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. That’s a big deal:
  • Bronze starts around 3,500 points
  • Silver at 7,500
  • Gold at 20,000
So you’re not getting Gold just by spending on the card, but it can get you a third of the way there, which helps if you travel for work or take a few long-hauls. Heads-up: The free card doesn’t earn Tier Points at all.

Is the Companion Voucher Actually Worth It?

Yes — if you know how to use it.
  • With the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card, you can book two Club World or First tickets for half the Avios cost (you still pay taxes). That can save you tens of thousands of Avios — we’re talking £500–£1,000+ in value.
  • The voucher is valid for 2 years and gives you access to extra reward seats not available to the general public.
  • You must book flights from the UK, and BA flights only (not partners like Qatar or Iberia)
With the free card, the voucher is far more limited: Economy only, and if you fly solo, you just get a 50% Avios discount instead of a second ticket.

Should You Bother?

Here’s the truth:
  • If you fly BA regularly, want to earn status, or want to travel in premium cabins using points, the Premium Plus Card is worth the fee.
  • If you’re just starting out, don’t want to pay a fee, or mostly fly budget/economy, the free card is a no-risk way to dip your toe in.
  • If you have never flown British Airways, don’t bother. These cards only make sense in the BA ecosystem.

Watch for Pitfalls

  • Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in the UK, so your earning potential might be lower
  • You need to spend a lot to make the voucher worthwhile
  • Avios availability on peak travel dates is limited — plan ahead or be flexible

Final Verdict

If you fly BA often, the Premium Plus Card is the only one worth it. You’ll get a Companion Voucher that actually matters—usable in Club World or First—and you’ll earn more Avios and even Tier Points just by spending. It costs £300 a year, but if you’re flying long-haul or chasing status, you’ll easily get that value back. If you’re a casual traveller, the free card is fine. It earns Avios, gives you a (limited) voucher, and doesn’t cost you anything—low effort, low risk. But if you don’t fly BA at all, skip both. These cards are only useful inside the BA ecosystem. Go for a cashback or flexible rewards card instead. Want help redeeming a voucher or planning an Avios trip? We can walk you through it. Otherwise, if you're going in, use the British Airways American Express Premium Plus card, fly strategically, and squeeze every Avios for what it’s worth. Check out our website for more information. Also Read: Historic Arrival: First British Airways Flight Lands at King Abdulaziz Airport