Looking for more credit card hacks and points-earning secrets? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here. Your next flight upgrade is just a swipe away. Welcome to the British Airways American Express Premium plus credit card.
Alright, jet-setters, let’s talk about the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card – the card that could be your golden ticket to luxury flights and fancy lounges. But is it worth the £300 annual fee? Let’s dive into the perks, points, and potential.
The British Airways American Express Premium Plus card is worth considering if you’re looking for a credit card that offers excellent rewards for earning Avios points. This card is particularly beneficial for individuals who travel a lot with BA as you have the ability to get a 2-4-1 (more on this later). In this post, we will take a detailed look at the features and benefits of this card to help you make an informed decision.
In This Post
The Sign-Up Bonus: Your First-Class Fast Track
Spend £6,000 in the first three months and score 30,000 Avios. That’s enough for a cheeky European getaway or a solid head start on a long-haul business-class adventure.
Who’s Eligible?
- No BA Amex in the last 24 months? You’re good to go.
- Is the supplementary cardholder on someone else’s account? Doesn’t count against you.
Even if you don’t qualify for the bonus, the card’s perks are still worth a look.
Annual Fee.
The annual fee is £300.
What’s the earning rate on the BA Amex Premium Plus card?
Despite paying £300 per year, this card has impressive benefits, offsetting the annual fee.
- 3X points spend on British Airways & BA holidays
- 1.5x points on your everyday shopping
- Collect up to 90,000 bonus Avios a year when you invite friends to join American Express
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Earn 3,000 Avios when you add the first Supplementary Card to your Account
Let’s take a closer look at these earning rates.
- 1.5x point is earned for every £1 spent and charged per transaction on your card at the following rates: one point for every full £1 spent and charged per transaction.
- 3x points for every full £1 spent and charged per transaction on the British Airways website for travel or when you make a booking with BA holidays.
Get a Points Boost.
You can also collect up to 90,000 bonus Avios a year when you invite friends to join American Express on to of your earning rate.
The Star of the Show: The 2-4-1 Companion Voucher
Spend £15,000 in a year, and you’ll unlock the companion voucher – basically a “buy one, get one free” on Avios flights. It’s valid for two years and can save you 150,000+ Avios on premium cabin long-haul flights.
How Can You Use It?
- For Two: Book two Avios flights and pay the miles for just one. Taxes and fees still apply.
- Flying Solo? Get a 50% Avios discount on your own ticket. (Yep, solo travellers, you’re finally in on the fun!)
Where Can You Fly?
- British Airways
- Iberia
- Aer Lingus
Pro Tip: BA releases extra Club World (business class) seats for voucher holders, so your chances of scoring that lie-flat seat went up.
How much is it worth?
Based on my calculations I would say that this voucher is worth roughly £1,500 if you value 1 avios at 1p, as this voucher can save over 150,000 avios.
Earning Avios: Let’s Talk Points
- 1.5 Avios per £1 spent on everything.
- 3 Avios per £1 when booking directly with British Airways.
Solo Traveler.
If you are a solo traveler, the voucher can give you a 50% discount on the Avios required for a flight for one person.
Is the BA Premium Plus a Good Travel Card?
- Yes: For earning Avios and companion vouchers, it’s top-tier.
- No: For foreign transactions, not so much. That 3% foreign exchange fee will sting.
Annual Fee Breakdown: Is £300 Worth It?
- Year 1: With the sign-up bonus and companion voucher potential, you’re flying high in value.
- After Year 1: If you’re confident you’ll hit that £15,000 spend, it’s a no-brainer. Otherwise, it might be time to reconsider.
Bonus Tip: Cancel anytime for a pro-rata refund on the annual Fee. (Amex planned to axe this in 2024, but they’ve kept it around for now.)
Final Boarding Call: Is the BA Premium Plus Worth It?
If you’re all about racking up Avios and flying in style, YES. The 30,000-point sign-up bonus and 2-4-1 voucher are hard to beat, especially with the pro-rata fee refund safety net.
If you can spend £15,000 a year on the card, the rewards far outweigh the annual Fee. But if that’s a stretch, you might want to consider the free BA Amex card – remember, the 2-4-1 voucher on the free card is only good for Economy.
Solo travellers, rejoice! The 2-4-1 voucher now gives you a 50% Avios discount on your own flight, making this card just as valuable if you prefer to travel solo.
Click here if you want the card.
