Have you ever dreamt of jetting off to exotic destinations, perhaps with a loved one by your side, all while saving significantly on your flights? If so, the British Airways American Express Card might just be your golden ticket. It's not just another credit card; it's a powerful tool designed to unlock a world of travel benefits, primarily through the collection of Avios – British Airways' reward currency – and the highly coveted Companion Voucher.
This comprehensive guide will break down exactly how the British Airways American Express Card works, from earning points to redeeming them for incredible travel experiences. Let's dive in!
Understanding the British Airways American Express Card Ecosystem
Before we delve into the step-by-step guide, it's essential to grasp the core components that make this card so appealing for frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts.
Avios: These are the reward points you earn with your British Airways American Express card. They are the currency of the British Airways Executive Club and can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Companion Voucher: This is arguably the most valuable perk of the British Airways American Express cards. Earned after meeting a certain spending threshold, it allows you to bring a companion on a Reward Flight for no additional Avios, or get a 50% discount on the Avios price if you're traveling solo.
British Airways Executive Club: This is British Airways' frequent flyer program where your Avios are stored and managed. You'll need to be a member to truly leverage the benefits of the card.
There are generally two main versions of the personal British Airways American Express Card in the UK: the British Airways American Express® Credit Card (often referred to as the "free card") and the British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card. While both offer Avios and a Companion Voucher, the Premium Plus version typically comes with a higher annual fee but offers accelerated Avios earning, a more valuable Companion Voucher, and additional travel benefits.
Step 1: Getting Started – Applying for Your British Airways American Express Card
So, are you ready to embark on your Avios journey? The first step is, naturally, to apply for the card!
Sub-heading: Are You Eligible?
Before you hit that "Apply Now" button, it's crucial to understand the eligibility criteria. While these can vary slightly by card product and over time, generally, you'll need to be:
At least 18 years old.
A UK resident.
Have a good credit history. American Express, like all credit card providers, will assess your creditworthiness. A strong credit score and a responsible financial history significantly increase your chances of approval.
Meet minimum income requirements. These vary depending on the specific British Airways American Express card you apply for. The Premium Plus card typically has a higher income requirement than the free version.
Sub-heading: Choosing the Right Card for You
Consider your spending habits and travel goals when deciding between the British Airways American Express Credit Card and the Premium Plus Card.
British Airways American Express® Credit Card (No Annual Fee): This is a great entry point if you're new to Avios or prefer not to pay an annual fee. You'll earn 1 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases. The Companion Voucher earned with this card is usually valid for 12 months and can typically only be used for economy (Euro Traveller or World Traveller) class flights.
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card (£300 annual fee): If you're a more frequent spender and aspire to fly in premium cabins, this card is often worth the annual fee. You'll earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases, and a generous 3 Avios for every £1 spent directly with British Airways. Crucially, the Companion Voucher earned with this card is valid for 24 months and can be used for any cabin class, including Club World (Business) and First Class, offering significantly more value. You also often get enhanced reward flight availability in Club World with this voucher.
Sub-heading: The Application Process
The application process is straightforward and typically involves:
Visiting the American Express UK website or the British Airways website's credit card section.
Selecting the British Airways American Express card you wish to apply for.
Completing the online application form. This will require personal details, financial information, and employment details.
Undergoing a credit check. American Express will perform a soft check initially, which won't impact your credit score, to give you an indication of your eligibility. A hard check will follow if you proceed with the application.
Waiting for a decision. You may receive an instant decision, or it might take a few days for your application to be processed.
Pro Tip: Look out for increased welcome bonus offers! American Express and British Airways often run promotional periods where the sign-up bonus Avios are significantly higher. Timing your application can lead to a substantial boost in your Avios balance from day one.
Step 2: Earning Avios – Fueling Your Travel Dreams
Once you have your British Airways American Express card in hand, it's time to start accumulating those valuable Avios!
Sub-heading: Everyday Spending
This is the most common way to earn Avios. Simply use your card for all your daily purchases, just as you would any other credit card.
British Airways American Express® Credit Card: You'll earn 1 Avios for every £1 you spend on eligible purchases.
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card: You'll earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 you spend on eligible purchases. Additionally, you'll earn an impressive 3 Avios for every £1 spent directly with British Airways (e.g., flights, holidays).
Sub-heading: Welcome Bonus
As mentioned, a significant boost to your Avios balance comes from the welcome bonus. To unlock this, you'll typically need to:
Spend a set amount within a specific timeframe (e.g., £2,000 in the first three months).
Ensure you are a new American Express Cardmember or haven't held a personal British Airways American Express Card in the past 24 months (check specific terms for the offer you apply for).
Sub-heading: Referral Bonuses
American Express has a rewarding referral program. If you refer a friend who successfully applies for an American Express card (including the British Airways cards), both you and your friend can earn bonus Avios. This is a fantastic way to accelerate your Avios collection.
Sub-heading: British Airways Partners
Beyond your direct card spending, you can earn Avios through a vast network of British Airways partners. This includes:
Flying with British Airways and its oneworld alliance partners (e.g., American Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways).
Booking hotels and car rentals through British Airways or its partners.
Shopping online through the British Airways eStore.
Participating in Avios surveys through platforms like Avios For Thoughts.
Remember: Always pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges, which can quickly negate the value of any Avios earned.
Step 3: Earning the Companion Voucher – The Ultimate Travel Perk
This is where the British Airways American Express card truly shines. The Companion Voucher is a game-changer for couples or even solo travelers.
Sub-heading: Meeting the Spending Threshold
To earn a Companion Voucher, you need to meet a specific spending threshold within your card membership year:
Typically £15,000 for both the British Airways American Express Credit Card and the Premium Plus Card. This threshold may change, so always refer to the most up-to-date terms and conditions.
The spending period usually runs from your card account opening date anniversary.
Sub-heading: How the Companion Voucher Works
Once you meet the spending target, the Companion Voucher will be automatically added to your British Airways Executive Club account. Its exact functionality depends on which card you hold:
British Airways American Express® Credit Card Companion Voucher:
Validity: 12 months.
Usage: Allows you to book a Reward Flight for two people, paying Avios for only one person, in Euro Traveller (Economy) or World Traveller (Economy) cabins only.
Solo Travel Option: If traveling alone, you can use it to get a 50% discount on the Avios price of your Reward Flight.
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Companion Voucher:
Validity: 24 months.
Usage: Allows you to book a Reward Flight for two people, paying Avios for only one person, in any cabin class, including Club World (Business) and First Class. This is its major advantage!
Solo Travel Option: Similar to the free card, you can use it for a 50% discount on the Avios price if traveling solo.
Enhanced Availability: Premium Plus Companion Voucher holders often get access to additional Reward Flight seats in Club World, making it easier to find availability.
Important Note: While the Avios portion of the flight is effectively discounted (or free for the second passenger), you are still responsible for paying the taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both passengers (or one, if solo). These can be substantial, especially for long-haul premium cabin flights.
Step 4: Redeeming Your Avios and Companion Voucher – Your Dream Trip Awaits!
This is the most exciting part – using your hard-earned Avios and Companion Voucher to travel!
Sub-heading: Understanding Reward Flights
Reward Flights are flights booked entirely or partially with Avios. They are subject to availability, so flexibility with your travel dates and destinations is key.
Sub-heading: How to Search and Book Reward Flights with Avios
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account. This is crucial as it links your Avios and Companion Voucher to your booking.
Use the "Book a flight with Avios" tool. This dedicated search function allows you to find flights where you can use Avios.
Select your desired route, dates, and cabin class. Be flexible with your dates if possible, as Reward Flight availability can vary significantly.
Look for "Reward Flight" options. The search results will show flights available for Avios redemption.
Choose your preferred option and proceed to payment. You'll see the Avios cost and the cash amount for taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
Sub-heading: Redeeming with the Companion Voucher
When you have a Companion Voucher in your account and are logged in, the British Airways booking system will automatically detect it when you search for flights that meet the voucher's criteria.
Search for a Reward Flight for two people (if using it for a companion) or one person (if using the 50% solo discount).
During the booking process, you'll be prompted to apply your Companion Voucher. The Avios cost will be adjusted accordingly.
Complete the booking by paying the associated taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
Sub-heading: Other Avios Redemption Options
While Reward Flights are often the best value, Avios can also be used for:
Upgrades: Use Avios to upgrade a cash booking to a higher cabin class (e.g., from Economy to Premium Economy, or Business to First). This can be a great way to experience luxury without spending a fortune.
Avios part payment: Reduce the cash price of a flight or holiday by using a small number of Avios. This offers less value per Avios than a full Reward Flight but can be useful if you have a small Avios balance.
Hotels and Car Hire: Book hotels and car rentals through Avios.com or British Airways Holidays. While generally not the best value redemption, it offers flexibility.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Benefits and Staying Savvy
To truly get the most out of your British Airways American Express Card, consider these additional tips.
Sub-heading: Track Your Spending and Avios
Regularly check your American Express account online or via the Amex app to monitor your spending and ensure you're on track to earn your Companion Voucher.
Keep an eye on your British Airways Executive Club account to see your Avios balance and Companion Voucher status.
Sub-heading: Be Flexible with Travel Dates
Reward Flight availability is dynamic. If you have some flexibility with your travel dates (e.g., flying mid-week instead of weekends, or during off-peak seasons), you're much more likely to find redemption seats.
Sub-heading: Consider a Household Account
British Airways allows you to create a Household Account with up to six people living at the same address. This allows you to pool your Avios, bringing your next Reward Flight or Companion Voucher redemption closer.
Sub-heading: Understand Peak vs. Off-Peak Pricing
British Airways has a peak and off-peak calendar for Avios redemptions. Flying during off-peak periods requires fewer Avios, offering better value. Familiarize yourself with this calendar to optimize your redemptions.
Sub-heading: Be Aware of Taxes, Fees, and Carrier Charges
These can be significant, especially on long-haul flights departing from the UK. Factor these into your travel budget. Sometimes, paying slightly more Avios for a "lower cash" option can be beneficial, or vice-versa.
The British Airways American Express Card, particularly the Premium Plus version, is a fantastic product for those looking to maximize their travel rewards and experience British Airways' premium cabins. By understanding how to earn and redeem Avios, and strategically leveraging the Companion Voucher, you can unlock incredible travel opportunities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Apply for a British Airways American Express Card?
To apply, visit the American Express UK website or the British Airways website's credit card section, select your desired card, and complete the online application form.
How to Earn Avios with the British Airways American Express Card?
You earn Avios by using your card for everyday purchases (1 Avios per £1 spent on the free card, 1.5 Avios per £1 on Premium Plus, and 3 Avios per £1 on BA direct spend with Premium Plus), achieving the welcome bonus, referring friends, and through British Airways partners.
How to Earn the Companion Voucher with the British Airways American Express Card?
You earn a Companion Voucher by spending a set amount (typically £15,000) on your card within your membership year.
How to Use the British Airways American Express Companion Voucher?
Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account, search for a Reward Flight for two (or one if using the solo discount), and the system will prompt you to apply your voucher during the booking process.
How to Find Reward Flight Availability for British Airways?
Log into your British Airways Executive Club account and use the "Book a flight with Avios" tool on the British Airways website to search for available flights.
How to Transfer Avios to Another Person?
While direct transfers of Avios between individual accounts can sometimes incur a fee, a more efficient way is to create a British Airways Household Account, allowing up to six members at the same address to pool their Avios.
How to Upgrade a British Airways Flight with Avios?
You can upgrade an existing cash booking to a higher cabin class using Avios via your British Airways Executive Club account or by contacting British Airways, subject to availability and fare rules.
How to Pay for Taxes, Fees, and Carrier Charges on Reward Flights?
These charges are paid in cash (usually via your credit card) at the time of booking your Reward Flight, in addition to the Avios you redeem.
How to Get the Best Value from Your British Airways American Express Card?
Focus on earning the Companion Voucher (especially the Premium Plus version for premium cabin travel), redeem Avios for Reward Flights during off-peak periods, and always pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.
How to Check Your Avios Balance and Companion Voucher Status?
You can check both your Avios balance and Companion Voucher status by logging into your British Airways Executive Club account online. Your American Express online account will also show your Avios earning activity.