Want a card that fuels your Avios balance and rewards your business spend? The British Airways Accelerating Business American Express Card or as its otherwise known as the BA Amex Business Card is the only BA-branded product designed for SMEs and it’s seriously rewarding in year one (and maybe beyond). Let’s break it down, with all the juicy bits that matter. Want more travel hacks and credit card perks? For our entire collection of reviews and guides, click here.
In This Post
What Is It?
Amex launched this business credit card in partnership with British Airways. Designed specifically for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), it earns both Avios and On Business points from BA’s small biz loyalty scheme.
It’s a credit card (not a charge card), so you can carry a balance (though I recommend paying in full).
Key Details
- Annual Fee: £250 (tax deductible)
- Representative APR: 106.7% variable incl. fee (27.6% on purchases)
- Minimum Personal Income: £20,000
- Pro-rata Fee Refund: Yes, if cancelled mid-year
Welcome Bonus: The Big Pull
Spend £5,000 in your first 3 months and get 30,000 Avios.
Eligibility:
- You must NOT have held a business Amex (BA Business, Business Gold, or Business Platinum) in the past 12 months
- Personal Amex cards (even BA ones) are fine, you’ll still get the bonus
What 30,000 Avios get you:
- A return Reward Flight Saver to New York (off-peak, Economy)
- A one-way in Business to Dubai on Qatar (with a top-up)
Every Day Earning: Double Trouble (In a Good Way)
- 1.5 Avios per £1 on all spend
- +100% bonus On Business points on BA spend (normally 1 OBP per £1, now you get 2)
This card rewards both the business and the traveller. You earn:
- Avios (personal points)
- On Business Points (your company’s loyalty stash)
Reminder: On Business, points can be used for free flights or upgrades.
Annual Spend Bonuses: Up to 30,000 Extra Avios
You’ll earn bonus Avios on top of your base earnings:
- £20,000 spend = 10,000 bonus Avios
- £40,000 spend = another 10,000 bonus
- £60,000 spend = final 10,000 bonus
Total potential: 30,000 bonus Avios per calendar year (not card year)
Example: Spend exactly £60,000 in a calendar year =
- 90,000 Avios (1.5 per £1)
- 30,000 bonus Avios
- Total = 120,000 Avios
Add the 30,000 sign-up bonus, and you’re at 150,000 Avios. Not bad.
Other Perks That Actually Matter
- Up to 56 days interest-free on purchases
- Complimentary employee cards
- Travel Inconvenience Cover (higher payouts on BA flights)
- Purchase Protection & Refund Protection
- Travel Accident Protection
Foreign Spend: Watch the FX Fee
Like most Amex cards, this one charges 2.99% on foreign currency transactions.
Pair it with the Capital on Tap Visa, which has no FX or annual fees. It earns 1 Avios per £1. It’s available to Limited Companies (not sole traders).
Who Can Apply?
This card has very few hoops to jump through:
- Must have a UK bank account (personal or business)
- No CCJs
- Age 18+
- Permanent UK home address
- £20,000+ personal income
No VAT registration required.
If you don’t already have a British Airways On Business account, Amex will open one for you.
Who’s It For?
Ideal for:
- SMEs or sole traders spending £20k–£60k+ per year
- Businesses booking regular BA flights
- People who want to earn Avios and On Business Points at once
- Those who want a strong first-year haul of Avios
Not great for:
- Small spenders (under £10k per year)
- International spenders who want 0% FX fees
- People who value flexible points (see Business Gold instead)
How Does It Stack Up?
Business Credit Card Comparison: BA Amex vs. Amex Business Gold vs. Capital on Tap Pro
| Feature | BA Accelerating Business Amex | Amex Business Gold | Capital on Tap Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | £250 (tax-deductible) | £0 in Year 1, then £195 | £99 |
| Welcome Bonus | 30,000 Avios after £5,000 spend in 3 months | 20,000 Membership Rewards points after £3,000 spend in 3 months | Up to 10,000 points (varies) |
| Earning Rate | 1.5 Avios per £1 spent | 1 MR point per £1 spent | 1 point per £1 spent |
| Annual Spend Bonus | 10,000 Avios per £20,000 spend, up to 3 times/year | None | None |
| On Business Points | 2 OB points per £1 on BA spend | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | 2.99% | 2.99% | 0% |
| Employee Cards | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary |
| Credit Type | Credit Card | Charge Card | Credit Card |
| Eligibility | Sole traders & Ltd companies | Sole traders & Ltd companies | Ltd companies only |
| Additional Benefits | Travel inconvenience cover, purchase protection, refund protection | Travel accident insurance, purchase protection | Expense management tools, virtual cards |
| Best For | High BA spenders aiming for maximum Avios | Flexible rewards across various partners | Businesses seeking enhanced features and rewards |
vs. Amex Business Gold
- BA Business: 30k Avios bonus, £250 fee, 1.5 Avios/£1, 30k annual bonus possible
- Business Gold: 20k MR bonus, free in Year 1 (£195 after), 1 MR/£1, no annual bonus
Verdict: BA Business wins if you spend over £20k/year and fly BA. If not, the Amex Gold card may suit you better, as the first year is free and has point flexibility.
vs. Capital on Tap Visa
- BA Business: £250 fee, 1.5 Avios/£1, FX fees, Amex network
- CoT Visa: £0 fee, 1 Avios/£1, no FX fees, wide acceptance, no Amex perks
Verdict: Get both. Use CoT where Amex isn’t accepted or abroad. Use BA Business for points-earning power and bonus unlocking.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
Absolutely, especially in year one.
- 30,000 Avios bonus
- 1.5 Avios/£1 base earn
- Up to 30,000 more from annual spend bonuses
- Dual earning with On Business points
Finding a business credit card that gives you this much back is rare. Whether it’s a keeper long-term depends on your spending, but in the first year? It’s a no-brainer.
Apply for the BA Accelerating Business Amex Card here.
Still Taxiing? Read On:
- Review: American Express Business Platinum Card (UK 2025 Update)
- Review: American Express Business Gold Card (UK 2025 Update)
- Review: Capital on Tap Pro Visa Business Card.
