The Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card: A Complete Guide to Maximising Rewards and Value

Unlock Elite Travel Rewards and Premium Perks with Every Purchase

For anyone who travels often — whether for business meetings in London or long-haul getaways abroad — the Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card has quietly become one of the most practical premium options on the market. It turns your spending into travel power, blending the familiar convenience of a Mastercard with British Airways’ reward magic.

Understanding How Avios Rewards Work

Avios is the loyalty currency of the British Airways Executive Club, a points system that rewards travellers with flight upgrades, hotel stays, and even car hire. The Barclaycard Avios Plus brings that world within reach — even if you’re not constantly in the air.

Here’s the deal:

• 1.5 Avios per £1 spent on everyday purchases.
• 3 Avios per £1 when booking directly with British Airways.
• A cabin upgrade voucher after £10,000 in annual spending.

That upgrade voucher is where the fun begins. It lets you jump one cabin higher — for example, from Euro Traveller to Club Europe — and you can use it for anyone in your Executive Club household. 

Insider Strategies to Maximise Avios

Concentrate Spending on Major Categories

Your Avios balance can grow faster than you’d think. Put your everyday purchases — fuel, groceries, train tickets, and even streaming subscriptions — on the Barclaycard Avios Plus. 

Book Directly with British Airways

Avoid booking flights through third-party sites. Buying straight from British Airways means you’ll earn 3 Avios per £1, and it keeps your ticket eligible for upgrade vouchers. Over time, that difference adds up to entire reward flights.

Combine with a BA Executive Club Household Account

If your family also collects Avios, merge your accounts. Pooling points makes it easier to hit redemption thresholds for long-haul flights or premium seats. It’s a smart move that can turn a family’s collective spending into shared travel rewards.

Consider the Barclaycard Travel Plus Pack

Frequent flyers might benefit from the Travel Plus Pack add-on (£15 per month). It includes worldwide travel insurance, mobile phone coverage, and UK breakdown assistance. 

Comparing with Alternatives

Card	Annual Fee	Earn Rate	Voucher Type	Network
Barclaycard Avios Plus	£240	1.5 Avios/£1	Cabin Upgrade	Mastercard
Amex BA Premium Plus	£300	1.5 Avios/£1	Companion Voucher	American Express
Virgin Atlantic Reward+	£160	1.5 Virgin Points/£1	Reward Flight	Mastercard
Chase UK Cashback	£0	1% cashback	None	Visa

While Amex BA Premium Plus remains popular among Avios enthusiasts, its higher annual fee and limited merchant acceptance can be restrictive. Barclaycard Avios Plus, powered by Mastercard, is accepted almost everywhere — making it a far smoother everyday companion.

Real-World Example

Meet Sarah, a consultant from Manchester who travels monthly for work and twice a year overseas. By putting around £2,000 a month through her Barclaycard Avios Plus, she earns roughly 36,000 Avios per year. Once she passes the £10,000 spend mark, she receives her upgrade voucher too.

Hidden Features Few Users Know

No Foreign Transaction Fees (During Promotions)

From time to time, Barclaycard waives foreign transaction fees — a small but valuable perk for anyone who shops or travels abroad.

Digital Avios Tracker

Through the Barclaycard app, you can see exactly how your Avios balance grows after each purchase, keeping your goals visible and motivating.

Free Additional Cardholders

Add a family member at no extra cost. Their spending contributes to your account, helping you hit that £10,000 threshold faster.

Priority Customer Service

Cardholders get quicker access to Barclaycard’s helpline, meaning less hold time when you need to sort an issue or query a transaction.

How to Redeem Avios Efficiently

Earning Avios is only half the story — spending them wisely is what unlocks real value.

• Reward Flight Saver (RFS): Perfect for short-haul flights within Europe. You’ll pay a small fixed fee plus Avios — sometimes just £1 plus points.
• Off-Peak Flights: Keep an eye on British Airways’ off-peak calendars. Redeeming during these windows can save up to 25% on Avios costs.
• Partner Airlines: Airlines in the Oneworld Alliance, such as Iberia or Qatar Airways, often have better off-peak redemptions, especially for long-haul routes.
• Skip Basic Economy Upgrades: These fares aren’t eligible for upgrades, so book a higher fare class if you plan to use your voucher later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few easy-to-miss details can cut into your rewards potential:

• Paying the annual fee but not spending enough to earn the voucher.
• Forgetting to link your card to your Executive Club account, so points never transfer.
• Using Avios for low-value redemptions on cheap short-haul flights.
• Cancelling your card before redeeming earned vouchers — a common and costly slip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need?

Usually, a good to excellent score (around 700 or higher) gives you the best approval odds.

Can I hold both the free Avios card and Avios Plus?

No — you can only have one Barclaycard Avios product at a time.

Do Avios points expire?

Not as long as you collect, redeem, or transfer at least one point every 36 months.

Can I use my upgrade voucher for someone else?

Yes. It can be used for anyone in your BA Executive Club household account.

Is the £240 fee refundable?

It’s charged monthly (£20), and billing stops immediately if you cancel.

What happens if I downgrade?

You’ll keep your existing Avios, but you’ll lose the upgrade voucher and the enhanced earning rate.

Expert Verdict

The Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card stands out because it makes premium travel rewards accessible without demanding extreme spending. Its mix of broad Mastercard acceptance and rich Avios benefits makes it practical enough for everyday use, yet aspirational enough to feel exclusive.

Final Recommendation

If you fly British Airways regularly or simply want to make your daily spending work harder, the Barclaycard Avios Plus deserves serious consideration. It combines strong earning rates, meaningful travel perks, and a user-friendly app that keeps everything transparent.