With the British Airways American Express® Credit Card, you'll earn points virtually every time you use your card, to redeem with British Airways or a number of other airlines, for flights, flight upgrades, hotel stays and more.
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British Airways American Express® Credit Card review
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
- Intro bonus
- Up to 5,000 points
- Account fee
- £0
- Interest-free each billing period
- Up to 56 days
Our verdict
Earn Avios while you spend and enjoy introductory bonus points with the BA Amex.
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If you’re a frequent flyer, air miles programmes like Avios are a great way to make day-to-day spending go a little further (literally). The British Airways American Express credit card is a good everyday option for those who like to travel, with no annual fees and the chance to earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent, this could be the card for you. It is good to note that you can earn Avios points with a handful of UK credit cards including the BA Amex. Which one is most suitable for you will depend on your circumstances and how you plan to use the card – with each card having its own specific features, like annual fees, interest rates, Avios earn-rates, introductory bonuses etc.
With the British Airways American Express credit card you'll be able to tap into all the perks of the American Express Experiences scheme and could be eligible for that generous introductory “welcome” bonus. Don’t forget that introductory “welcome” bonuses tend to come with a few minimum-spend strings attached, and also, in the case of the BA Amex credit card, the introductory bonus is limited to those who have not had a personal Amex card in the previous 24 months.
It is important to note that if you're likely to carry a balance from month to month, you'll almost certainly pay more in interest than you'll earn in rewards with this card. But if that doesn't apply to you, try to calculate how much you'll spend on your card each month, to see whether it's worth opting for this card's big sister – and swallowing the annual fee in return for a better earn-rate.
Plus, if you’re a master of persuasion, don’t forget that there are tasty points rewards to be had when you sign-up a friend or family member too!
Pros
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No annual fee
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Earn Avios as you spend
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Generous welcome offer
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Free supplementary cards
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Companion flight voucher each year you spend £12,000
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Use Amex’s referral programme to boost your points earnings. For every friend who is approved, you receive 4,000 Avios (up to 9,000 Avios). Check out our guide to Amex's referral programme
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Travel accident insurance up to £75,000 (subject to enrolment), plus access to Global Assist® 24/7 emergency assistance
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Refund Protection (90 days to return, receive max £200 per item, £750 per year)
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No annual fee
Cons
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Big spenders who clear their balance in full each month may get more from the Premium Plus card
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If you carry an outstanding balance month-to-month, the relatively high interest rate will cancel out any benefits
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Welcome bonus limited to new Cardmembers or those who have not held a personal American Express card in the past 24 months.
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This card carries a 2.99% foreign usage charge
Details
Product overview
| Issuer | American Express |
| Network | Amex |
| Representative APR | 31% APR (variable) |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Loyalty scheme | Avios |
| Incentive | New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. |
| Incentive on opening | New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. |
| Additional Rewards Info | Spend £12,000* annually and get a travel companion voucher when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight. T&Cs apply. *From 1 November you will need to spend £15,000 within each membership year to earn a Companion Voucher. For example, if your next anniversary date is 1 Feb 2025 you would need to either spend £10,000 by 31 October 2024 or spend £15,000 by 31 January 2025 to earn your Companion Voucher for this membership year. Refund Protection (90 days to return, receive max £200 per item, £750 per year). Automatic enrolment to the British Airways Executive Club. Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences. Global Assist - 24/7 help available when travelling outside the UK. Eligible for American Express Connect where cardmembers can choose offers from selected retailers to obtain discounts or cashback. |
| Purchases | 31% |
| Purchases interest-free period (days) | 56 |
| Balance transfers | 31% |
| Potential costs | 4.0 ★★★★★ |
| Doing its job | 4.0 ★★★★★ |
| Extras | 3.5 ★★★★★ |
| Overall Finder Score | 4.0 ★★★★★ |
What are the fees and charges for the BA Amex Credit Card?
| Minimum monthly payment | 2% or £25 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges, 1/12th of annual fee plus 2% of the outstanding balance. |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Replacement card fee | £0 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £2 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
What are the application requirements for the BA Amex Credit Card?
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Residency | UK resident and has a UK bank or building society account. |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
How does this card compare with other Avios-earning cards on the market?
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 4 of 4
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Case study: Joe uses Avios points towards flights
Joe Barnard
Buckinghamshire
I chose this card as it was the only card I could get approved for at the time that had no costs involved. One of the perks that I have found useful is when you purchase something, you receive British Airways Avios points that can be used towards flights.
If there's one thing you'd tell a friend who's thinking of getting this, what would it be?
Remember to pay it back! The interest always adds up so try and pay it off relatively quickly.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through American Express's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 917 8020). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | Fixed amount | Fixed percentage | Full amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Expert test: I've been trying out the BA Amex credit card for more than a year
American Express is known for its perks and customer service and with this particular card, you get both without a fee, while some rewards cards come with a hefty fee. Yes, Amex isn't accepted everywhere and I've definitely had some smaller, independent shops refuse my card, but since I have a Visa credit card as well, that hasn't been an issue.
There are several ways to earn Avios points. First, you'll generally get a sign-up bonus. Then, you can earn 1 Avios point per £1 spent on your normal shopping and transactions. Lastly, there are bonuses and offers via the Amex app where you can boost your balance.
You can spend your Avios points on flights with British Airways and partner airlines, and I managed to get a ticket from London to Boston in peak season in 2023 paying just £248.13 in taxes and charges. I found a similar flight for summer 2024 for 30,000 Avios plus taxes and charges.
The only annoyance has been that I earned a companion voucher (which gets you a 2-for-1 deal) but it expired before I could use it. With this card, your voucher lasts 1 year, while the premium version of the card gives you 2 years.
How to apply
First, you can use Finder's eligibility checker to find out if you'd be likely to get approved for the British Airways American Express® Credit Card. This won't impact your credit score. If it's good news, you can then proceed to American Express's online application, which takes 10–15 minutes to complete.
So, is the BA Amex card worth it? With the ability to earn Avios points on all purchases, the British Airways American Express credit card is a good everyday option for those who like to travel. When you add in a generous intro points offer and no annual fee, it’s also a great way to earn points while keeping your costs low, provided you pay off your balance in full each month.”
If you’re interested in applying for the BA Amex then you can check your chance of approval using Finder’s free eligibility checker (no effect on your credit score) and apply via Amex’s form. If this card is not for you, compare others in our full guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the British Airways American Express card come with access to American Express Experiences?
Yes, as with other Amex cards, you'll be able to tap into all the perks of the American Express Experiences (formerly Invites) scheme.
Is there a minimum spend requirement on the British Airways American Express card to get the intro bonus?
Yes, you'll need to spend within months (starting when your account is opened) – see table above.
What is a BA Amex companion voucher?
When you spend £12,000 on your BA Amex credit card or £10,000 on your BA Amex Premium Plus credit card, within a year, you could be eligible for a companion voucher.
A companion voucher allows you to receive a second seat for a companion on the same flight and cabin as you. British Airways American Express Credit Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed in economy cabins, while British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card Companion Vouchers can be redeemed across all cabins.
Since June 2022, American Express and British Airways have been offering solo travellers a 50% discount on the Avios cost of the booking. Plus, more Avios and cash options when you're ready to redeem your companion voucher.
Can I spend my British Airways American Express card Avios on things other than flights?
Yes, as well as flights (or even simply part of the price of a flight), your Avios can be redeemed for car hire, hotel rooms and flight upgrades.
Can I get rewarded if I refer a friend to the British Airways American Express card?
Yes, in fact that's a great way to boost your points earnings after the excitement of your intro bonus has worn off! Check out our guide to Amex's referral programme.
Can I apply for the British Airways American Express credit card if I have bad credit score?
American Express require you to have no history of bad debt and a good credit score. You can use Finder's eligibility checker to find out if you'd be likely to get approved for the British Airways American Express® Credit Card. This won't impact your credit score.
Finder credit card scores
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Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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