How to Max Out the Value of Your Barclaycard Avios Voucher

Barclays crashed into the UK travel credit card scene in February 2022, and let’s just say they didn’t come quietly. Launching the Barclaycard Avios and Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercards gave British Airways loyalists something to get excited about, especially those who couldn’t (or wouldn’t) go near an Amex.

But the real headline isn’t just the generous Avios earnings or flashy sign-up bonuses. It’s the mysterious “upgrade voucher“, and if you’ve ever wondered how it works, who can use it, and whether it’s worth the hype, buckle in.

The Cards at a Glance

Heads up: If you’ve had any Barclaycard Avios products in the last 24 months, you won’t get the sign-up bonus. No cheeky churning here. And if you have no idea what either of these cards does, I highly recommend reading the Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card Review. Or, for the same card but just the free version of it, you can click here:

What Is the Barclaycard Avios Voucher?

Despite the name, this is not your traditional “upgrade my existing seat to business” type of deal. It’s more of a reward pricing hack for new Avios bookings:

You book a seat in a higher cabin but pay the Avios cost of the cabin below.

So:

• Premium Economy ➝ Pay Economy Avios
• Club World ➝ Pay Premium Economy Avios
• First Class ➝ Pay Club World Avios (Yes, since late 2023, this is finally allowed)

But this bit matters: you still pay the taxes and fees for the cabin you’re flying in. And BA taxes in Club and First? They’re no joke.

How to Earn the Barclaycard Avios Voucher

• Hit £20,000 spent in your card year (free card) or £10,000 (Avios Plus)
• The voucher is issued automatically once you reach the threshold; no manual trigger exists.
• It shows up in your Barclaycard app and BA Executive Club account within 5 working days.

Did you get a Barclaycard and a Barclays Premier account with Avios Rewards? You can earn two vouchers per year.

Warning: If you switch between the free and paid cards mid-year, your spend resets to £0. Savage.

Who Can Use the Barclaycard Avios Voucher?

Technically, anyone on your BA Household Account or Friends & Family list. The voucher is tied to your BAEC account, but you can redeem it for others if they’re on your list.

You cannot sell or transfer it outright. BA will shut that down faster than you can say “Tier Point Run.”

How to Use It (and Not Mess It Up)

✅ You Can:

• Use it on BA-operated flights only (including BA CityFlyer)
• Use it on flights departing from the UK.
• Use one voucher for:
  • One return flight for one person
  • Two one-way flights for two people
• Combine two vouchers on a return flight (if you’ve got them)
• Book into First Class using the voucher (as of late 2023)

❌ You Can’t:

• Use it on partners like Qatar, Iberia, or American.
• Use it on BA Holidays bookings.
• Use it on flights arriving in the UK.
• Use it to upgrade an existing Avios booking (you’d need to cancel and rebook)
• Combine it with a BA Amex companion voucher on the same booking (but you can mix and match on separate PNRs if travelling as a group)

What You’ll Actually Pay

You’ll pay:

• The Avios amount of the lower cabin
• The taxes and fees of the cabin you’re flying in
• Only the highest-Avios, lowest-cash redemption option is available (i.e., Reward Flight Saver price)

This is usually a win for long-haul, but it might not be the best for Club Europe.

How Long Do You Have to Use It?

• Valid for 24 months
• You must take the outbound leg before the expiry
• Return flight can be after expiry

Pro tip: Check your BAEC account for voucher expiry dates. They’re all clearly listed these days. Cheers, IT upgrade.

Can You Decline the Voucher?

Yes. You can opt for 7,000 Avios instead. However, this is not recommended unless you’re allergic to BA metal or just hoarding Avios for a rainy day.

Real Talk: Is It Worth It?

If you’re flying solo and don’t have a BA Amex companion voucher, this is as good as it gets. The voucher can save you tens of thousands of Avios, especially for long-haul Club World or First Class bookings.

And do you have both the card and the Barclays Premier account? You’re laughing at two vouchers a year, plenty of redemption flexibility, and no need to drag along a travel buddy just to get value.

Bonus Tip: Strategic Play

Use your voucher to book a first-class ticket at Club World pricing during off-peak times. Think London to New York in First for the price of Club World. That’s Avios alchemy at its finest.

Still Taxiing? Read On:

• Virgin Atlantic Reward Voucher vs Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher: Which One Wins?
• Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher vs. British Airways Amex 2-4-1 Voucher: Which One Wins?
• Virgin Atlantic Reward Voucher vs. British Airways Amex 2-4-1 Voucher: Which One Wins?