Is the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card worth it?

Earn Avios on Everyday Spending and Unlock Valuable British Airways Travel Rewards

For travellers who regularly collect Avios, the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card can offer some valuable benefits. The main attraction is the Companion Voucher, which can help reduce the number of Avios needed for a British Airways Reward Flight.

At The Only Way Is Travel, we use Avios to help make premium-cabin travel more affordable. However, the card comes with a significant annual fee, so it is important to understand how it works before applying.

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card at a Glance

Annual fee	£300
Standard Avios rate	1.5 Avios for every £1 spent
British Airways spending	3 Avios for every £1 spent
Companion Voucher target	£15,000 eligible annual spending
Voucher validity	24 months
Eligible cabins	Economy, premium economy, business and first class
Supplementary Cards	Up to five complimentary cards

Card charges, benefits and eligibility rules can change. Always check the latest information directly with American Express before applying.

Earning Avios on Everyday Spending

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card allows you to collect Avios on most eligible purchases.

You currently earn:

• 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on general purchases.
• 3 Avios for every £1 spent directly with British Airways or British Airways Holidays.

That could make the card particularly useful when paying for British Airways flights or package holidays.

Someone spending £15,000 at the standard rate would earn around 22,500 Avios and qualify for the Companion Voucher.

Certain transactions do not earn Avios. These usually include cash withdrawals, balance transfers, fees, interest and some other excluded payments.

What Is the Companion Voucher?

The Companion Voucher is the card’s standout benefit.

You earn one after spending £15,000 on eligible purchases during your Card membership year.

The voucher can then be used in two main ways.

You can book a qualifying Reward Flight for two people and pay the Avios normally required for just one passenger. Alternatively, a solo traveller can use the voucher to receive a 50% reduction in the Avios needed for their flight.

You must still pay the taxes, fees and carrier charges for every passenger.

Use the Voucher in Any Cabin

A major advantage of the Premium Plus Companion Voucher is that it can be used in:

• Economy
• Premium economy
• Business class
• First class

This makes the card more attractive to travellers hoping to use their Avios for Club World or British Airways First Class.

Premium Plus vouchers may also provide access to additional Club World Reward Flight availability, making it easier to find seats on popular routes.

Which Airlines Accept the Voucher?

Depending on the applicable terms and route, the Companion Voucher may be used on qualifying Reward Flights operated by:

• British Airways
• Iberia
• Aer Lingus

Flights do not always need to begin in the UK. Starting a journey from another European airport can sometimes provide better availability or lower charges.

Reward seats remain subject to availability, so flexibility with dates and destinations can make a big difference.

How Long Does the Voucher Last?

A Companion Voucher earned through the Premium Plus Card is normally valid for 24 months from the date of issue.

The outbound part of the journey must usually take place before the voucher expires.

We recommend noting the expiry date as soon as the voucher appears in your British Airways Club account. A valuable voucher can easily go unused without some planning.

Is the Companion Voucher Good Value?

The answer depends on how you use it.

Using the voucher for a short economy flight may offer limited value, particularly given the card’s £300 annual fee.

However, using it for a long-haul Club World or First Class Reward Flight could save a substantial number of Avios.

The card is likely to suit someone who:

• Regularly collects Avios.
• Can comfortably spend £15,000 in a year.
• Pays their balance in full each month.
• Has enough Avios for a worthwhile redemption.
• Can plan Reward Flight bookings well in advance.

It may offer less value to someone who rarely flies with British Airways, struggles to reach the spending target or normally books low-cost cash fares.

Supplementary Cards

The main Cardmember can add up to five complimentary Supplementary Cards.

Spending by Supplementary Cardmembers contributes towards the main account’s:

• Avios balance.
• £15,000 Companion Voucher target.

This can make it easier to reach the annual target when household spending is shared between two people.

American Express may also offer bonus Avios for adding the first eligible Supplementary Card. Promotional offers can change, so check the current terms before applying.

Amex Offers

The card includes access to Amex Offers.

These are personalised offers that may provide statement credits or bonus rewards when spending with selected retailers, restaurants, hotels and travel companies.

Offers typically need to be saved to the card via the American Express app or website before making a purchase.

We have found that Amex Offers can sometimes help offset part of the annual fee, although the available offers will vary by Cardmember.

Travel Protection Benefits

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card includes certain travel-related insurance benefits when qualifying travel is charged to the card.

These may include cover for:

• Missed departures.
• Flight delays.
• Overbooking.
• Missed connections.
• Delayed baggage.
• Travel accidents on qualifying public transport.

However, these benefits are subject to limits, exclusions and payment conditions.

The included protection is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance. You should still arrange suitable cover for medical treatment, cancellation, personal belongings and any activities planned during your trip.

Purchase Protection

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. Eligible purchases made using the card may also receive additional protection.

This can include assistance with repairing or replacing eligible items that are accidentally damaged or stolen during the specified period.

Refund protection may also apply when an eligible UK retailer refuses to accept the return of an unused item.

Limits, excesses and exclusions apply, so it is important to read the relevant policy documents.

Global Assist

Cardmembers also receive access to the American Express Global Assist service.

When travelling overseas, the service may help you find:

• An English-speaking doctor.
• A lawyer.
• An interpreter.
• Assistance with lost luggage.
• Support with replacing certain prescriptions.

Global Assist helps arrange support, but it does not normally pay the medical, legal or other costs involved.

Does the Card Include Airport Lounge Access?

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card does not normally provide complimentary airport lounge membership as a standard benefit.

It should not be confused with the American Express Platinum Card, which offers a wider range of premium travel benefits.

The main reasons for holding the BA Premium Plus Card are its Avios earning rate and Companion Voucher.

Using the Card Abroad

American Express typically charges a foreign-exchange fee when the card is used to make purchases in another currency.

For this reason, we would not usually choose it as our main card for overseas spending.

Some travellers carry a separate fee-free Visa or Mastercard for non-sterling transactions and for places that do not accept American Express.

The £300 Annual Fee

The annual fee is one of the most important points to consider.

To justify paying £300 each year, you need to receive enough value from:

• The Companion Voucher.
• The Avios earned from spending.
• Amex Offers.
• The included protection benefits.
• Supplementary Card spending.

The Companion Voucher will usually provide the greatest potential value. If you do not expect to earn or use it, the fee-free British Airways American Express Card may be a better fit.

Always Pay the Balance in Full

Avios are valuable, but they are unlikely to outweigh the cost of credit-card interest.

We believe this type of rewards card works best when the full balance is paid by the monthly payment deadline.

Carrying a balance from one month to the next could quickly cancel out the value of the Avios and other benefits received.

Our Verdict

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card can be a rewarding option for committed Avios collectors.

Its strongest feature is the Companion Voucher, particularly when used for a long-haul Club World or First Class Reward Flight. The higher Avios earning rate also makes it attractive to travellers who regularly book with British Airways.

However, the card will not suit everyone. The £300 annual fee and £15,000 spending requirement mean you need a clear plan for earning and using the voucher.

For regular British Airways travellers who pay the balance in full and redeem Avios carefully, the card could deliver excellent value.

Apply for the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card today and receive additional Avios Points.

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card – Important Information

This article is based on our own research and experience as travellers. It provides general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice or a recommendation to apply for a credit card.

Credit is subject to status, eligibility and terms. Applicants must normally be aged 18 or over. Interest, fees may apply.

American Express can change the annual fee, benefits, Avios rates, spending targets and introductory offers. Check the latest card information and full terms directly with American Express before applying.

Referral Disclosure for the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

This article may contain a personal American Express referral link.

If you use our link and your application is approved, we may receive Avios or another referral reward. Using the link does not increase the card’s annual fee or other costs.

The welcome offer shown through a referral link may differ from offers available directly from American Express or through another website. Please compare the available offers before deciding whether to apply.