Frequent travelers and aviation enthusiasts often seek ways to make their everyday spending work toward their next flight. The Barclaycard Avios credit card is one such solution that converts daily purchases into Avios points, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and more. Whether you’re a loyal British Airways flyer or just looking for ways to reduce travel costs, the Barclaycard Avios could be a smart addition to your financial toolkit.
This article explores everything you need to know about the Barclaycard Avios credit card—its key features, rewards program, eligibility, and how to apply.
What Is the Barclaycard Avios Credit Card?
The Barclaycard Avios credit card is a travel rewards credit card issued by Barclaycard in partnership with the Avios loyalty program. It’s targeted at UK residents and designed to help cardholders earn Avios points on everyday purchases. These points can then be used with British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Iberia Plus for a wide range of travel redemptions.
There are two main versions of this card:
- Barclaycard Avios Credit Card (No annual fee)
- Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card (£20 monthly fee)
For this article, we will focus on the standard no-fee version, which is ideal for most new users.
Key Features and Benefits
1. Welcome Bonus
New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 5,000 Avios points when they spend £1,000 within the first three months of account opening. This bonus alone can cover off-peak short-haul European flights with British Airways (excluding taxes and fees).
2. Ongoing Rewards
The Barclaycard Avios credit card offers:
- 1 Avios per £1 spent on everyday purchases
- No limit on how many Avios you can earn
- Points are automatically transferred to your linked Executive Club account
3. No Annual Fee
One of the biggest advantages of the standard Barclaycard Avios card is that it charges no annual fee, making it an excellent entry-level travel card.
4. Avios Upgrade Voucher
Spend £20,000 in a year, and you’ll receive an Avios upgrade voucher, which can be used to move up one cabin on a reward flight booked with Avios (e.g., from economy to premium economy). This benefit provides significant value for frequent flyers.
5. Comprehensive Travel Coverage
As a Mastercard, this card is accepted globally and comes with added perks such as:
- Purchase protection
- Fraud monitoring
- Access to Barclays’ travel insurance services (additional cost)
Who Should Get This Card?
The Barclaycard Avios credit card is ideal for:
- UK residents who frequently fly with British Airways, Aer Lingus, or Iberia
- People looking to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee
- Users who want to start collecting Avios without committing to a premium travel card
- Those who travel at least once or twice a year and want to cut down on ticket prices
It’s not ideal for those who:
- Want cashback instead of travel rewards
- Rarely travel or fly with airlines outside the Avios network
- Tend to carry a balance and incur interest charges
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus (5,000 Avios)
- No annual fee
- Earn Avios on every pound spent
- Upgrade voucher after high spend
- Widely accepted Mastercard
Cons
- High APR (Representative APR of around 29.9% variable) if you don’t pay in full
- Rewards limited to Avios travel partners
- £20,000 spend required for upgrade voucher
- Only available to UK residents
Avios Redemption Options
Your Avios can be used for:
- Flights on British Airways and partner airlines
- Cabin upgrades
- Hotel stays
- Car rentals
- Experiences and shopping through the Avios eStore
Avios bookings often require the cardholder to pay taxes, fees, and carrier charges separately, but the base fare is often fully covered by points.
How to Apply for the Barclaycard Avios Credit Card
Step 1: Check Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be a UK resident
- Have a good credit history
- Be employed or have a regular income
- Not already hold a Barclaycard that earns Avios
You can also use the Barclaycard eligibility checker online, which allows you to see your chances of approval without affecting your credit score.
Step 2: Apply Online
Visit the official Barclaycard Avios website:
https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/credit-cards/avios
Complete the secure online application, which will ask for:
- Full name and contact details
- Employment and income information
- Address history for the last three years
- Your British Airways Executive Club number (to link your Avios)
Step 3: Wait for Approval
You’ll typically receive an instant decision. If approved, your new card should arrive within 5–7 business days.
Step 4: Start Spending and Earning
Once activated, you can begin using your Barclaycard Avios credit card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Your points will automatically transfer to your Executive Club account monthly.
Barclaycard Avios vs. Barclaycard Avios Plus
If you’re a more frequent traveler and want to maximize your Avios earning potential, you might consider the Barclaycard Avios Plus, which offers:
- 25,000 Avios welcome bonus (after £3,000 spend in 3 months)
- 1.5 Avios per £1 spent
- £20 monthly fee
- Upgrade voucher after £10,000 spend (vs. £20,000 for standard card)
The decision depends on how much you spend and fly. For occasional travelers, the no-fee version provides solid value with minimal commitment.
Final Thoughts
The Barclaycard Avios credit card offers a compelling path to travel rewards without an annual fee. With its simple earning structure, valuable welcome bonus, and automatic point transfer, it’s an excellent entry point for UK travelers interested in Avios. While it doesn’t come with luxury travel perks, the ability to earn free or discounted flights simply by spending on your everyday purchases makes it an attractive option for both casual and frequent flyers.
