The Ultimate Guide to the Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card

How to Maximise Avios, Unlock Upgrade Vouchers, and Beat the £240 Fee

Among UK travel credit cards, the Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard stands out as a top contender. With a 25,000 Avios welcome bonus, a 1.5 Avios per £1 earn rate, and the potential for an annual upgrade voucher, it looks like a no-brainer for British Airways loyalists.

But the fee isn’t small—£240 per year. So the real question is: how do you squeeze every drop of value from it? This guide breaks down practical strategies, clever hacks, and real-world examples that go beyond the marketing brochures.

Making the Most of Your Barclaycard Avios Plus

1. Nail the Welcome Bonus Early

The first target is clear: spend £3,000 in the first 90 days to unlock 25,000 Avios. For most households, that’s achievable by funnelling normal expenses through the card:

• Paying insurance and utility bills (where accepted).
• Supermarket and petrol spending.
• Booking a BA holiday or advance flights.

 Tip: Couples who combine their day-to-day spend often hit the £3,000 within six weeks.

2. Everyday Spending That Really Adds Up

One of the biggest advantages of this card over an Amex is its acceptance rate. You can use it in smaller shops, restaurants, or even for some government payments. Focus on:

• Regular grocery shops and fuel.
• Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Sky).
• Business expenses (if reimbursed, all the better).

At 1.5 Avios per £1, £1,000 a month in routine spend earns 18,000 Avios a year—that’s almost enough for a peak-time return flight to Europe.

3. Understanding the Upgrade Voucher

Spend £10,000 in a card year and you get the upgrade voucher. Here’s why it matters:

• Upgrade a return flight for one or a one-way for two.
• Valid for two years.
• Can be used for anyone on your BA Executive Club account.

 The sweet spot is upgrading long-haul flights like London–New York or Tokyo, where a Club World upgrade can save £700+ per ticket.

4. Pitfalls to Avoid

• Foreign exchange fees: A steep 2.99% FX fee makes it poor value abroad—use a Halifax Clarity or Virgin Travel Card overseas.
• High fee: If you don’t fly BA at least once or twice a year, £240 may outweigh the benefits.
• Avios risk: Points can be devalued over time, so it’s best not to hoard them endlessly.

Hacks That Frequent Flyers Actually Use

1. Book BA Holidays: Bundling flights + hotel earns bonus Avios and helps hit spend targets.
2. Voucher at Peak Times: No blackout dates—Christmas and August bank holiday weekends are prime times to use it.
3. Barclays Premier Combo: Drop the monthly fee from £20 to £15, bag 7,000 bonus Avios yearly, plus four free DragonPass lounge passes.
4. Two Cards, Two Vouchers: In a household, each partner holding a card doubles the upgrade opportunities.
5. Avios + Money Redemptions: Sometimes using fewer Avios and topping up with cash gives better value per point.

FAQ – Answering the Questions People Actually Ask

1. Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already had this card?

Not if you’ve held a Barclaycard Avios in the last 24 months.

2. Can the voucher be shared?

Yes. You can apply it to anyone’s ticket booked from your BA Executive Club account.

3. Do I lose the voucher if I cancel the card?

No. Once earned, it stays valid for two years.

4. Is it good for overseas spending?

Not really—use a fee-free card abroad.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Free Barclaycard Avios Mastercard: No annual fee, but slower earning and higher voucher threshold (£20k).
• BA Amex Premium Plus: £300/year, 30k bonus, great for couples chasing the companion voucher.
• Amex Gold (Preferred Rewards): Strong for beginners, especially with the first year fee-free.
• Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard: £160/year, 15k bonus, with its own companion voucher.

Smart travellers often keep both Barclaycard Avios Plus and BA Amex Premium Plus, using each for its specific perks.

Getting the Most Value Long-Term

To justify the £240 fee, aim for this yearly checklist:

1. Trigger the 25,000 Avios bonus in year one.
2. Hit £10,000 spend for the upgrade voucher.
3. Redeem voucher on long-haul premium flights.
4. Pair with a fee-free FX card abroad.
5. Reassess—downgrade to the free version if you’re travelling less.

Conclusion

The Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard isn’t for everyone. But for travellers who regularly fly BA, spend £10k+ a year, and value premium cabin upgrades, it’s arguably the best Mastercard option in the UK travel rewards space.