Barclaycard has introduced two new credit cards to their range, which allow users to collect British Airways Avios points. Both cards reward customers with Avios for every pound spent on the card, which can be redeemed against flights, hotels and car hire.
The Barclaycard Avios card is fee free and has a 5,000 Avios introductory bonus if you spend £1,000 on the card in the first 3 months. The Barclaycard Avios Plus has a £20 monthly fee, offers 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent and has a 25,000 Avios introductory bonus if you spend £3,000 in the first month.
What are British Airways Avios and what can I use them for?
Avios form a central part of British Airways rewards programme and you need to be a member of the British Airways Executive Club loyalty scheme to earn them and use them, although the scheme is free to join. With the new Barclaycard Avios credit cards, you can earn Avios on your day-to-day spending, as well as getting bonus Avios when you sign up, as long as you meet the minimum spending limits.
Avios can be redeemed against British Airways flights, although it is worth noting that you will still need to pay the tax for the flight. There is also the option to upgrade your tickets to premium economy, business class or first class, as well as using them for hotels or car hire. It is important to check the terms and conditions of how and when the points can be used prior to making your booking, as these can be subject to change.
What is the difference between Barclaycard Avios and Barclaycard Avios Plus?
Put simply, Barclaycard Avios is the standard card, offering 1 Avios for every £1 spent, 5,000 bonus Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first 3 months and not charging a fee for having the card. It has a representative APR of 23.9%. Additionally, if you spend £20,000 on Barclaycard Avios in the first year, you will receive a cabin upgrade voucher to use on a British Airways Reward Flight booking.
Meanwhile, Barclaycard Avios Plus is the premium version of the card, with 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent, 25,000 bonus Avios if you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months and a £20 monthly fee. It has a representative APR of 72.4%. Again, it offers the possibility of a cabin upgrade, but you only need to spend £10,000 in the first 12 months to qualify.
| Barclaycard Avios | Barclaycard Avios Plus | |
| Representative APR | 23.9% | 72.4% |
| Introductory offer | 5,000 Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first 3 months
Cabin upgrade voucher when you spend £20,000 in the first year |
25,000 Avios if you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months
Cabin upgrade voucher when you spend £10,000 in the first year |
| Avios earn rate | 1 Avios for every £1 spent | 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent |
| Annual fee | Free | £240 |
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