Barclaycard Avios vs Avios Plus
The key ongoing trade-off is a monthly fee for a higher Avios earning rate and a lower annual reward-spending threshold.
These are two UK Barclaycard credit cards. Neither is the separate Barclays Avios Rewards bank-account service. The figures below come from the linked card records; welcome offers and bank-account bundles are excluded.
| Feature | Barclaycard Avios | Barclaycard Avios Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing fee | £0.00 annually; no monthly fee | GBP 20 monthly / £240.00 annualised |
| Eligible earning | 1 Avios per GBP 1 | 1.5 Avios per GBP 1 |
| Recorded annual reward threshold | GBP 20,000 within 12 months | GBP 10,000 within 12 months |
| Reward choice after the threshold | BA cabin upgrade voucher or 7,000 bonus Avios, subject to conditions | |
| Destination currency | Avios credited to the linked British Airways Club account | |
What does the extra earning rate produce?
The difference is 0.5 Avios per GBP 1 of eligible purchases. For example, GBP 12,000 of fully eligible purchases gives 12,000 Avios at the free card’s rate or 18,000 at Plus’s rate: 6,000 extra Avios. Plus’s full-year fee is GBP 240. This illustration ignores transaction rounding, excluded payments, welcome offers, annual reward choices, interest and other charges.
To assess the fee, compare the extra points and usable benefits with the additional cost. This page does not assume an Avios cash value or declare a universal break-even spend. Avoid spending more solely to cross a reward threshold.
What about the cabin upgrade voucher?
The issuer describes a voucher used on an Avios Reward Flight booking. It should not be treated as a free cash ticket. Read its rules and check suitable reward availability, required Avios and cash charges with British Airways. The alternative bonus-Avios choice and its conditions should be checked before making a decision.
Does the card earn Avios abroad?
Card acceptance, reward eligibility and foreign-currency charges are separate questions. Read the card’s current fee disclosure and collecting-Avios terms for the intended payment. This comparison does not establish a foreign-transaction fee or claim that spending overseas is free.
Which details should you check before applying?
- Use the exact product’s eligibility and credit-assessment requirements.
- Compare ongoing fees with benefits you would realistically use.
- Confirm excluded transactions and refund treatment.
- Read the voucher or bonus choice and spending-period rules.
- Check current borrowing costs and repayment requirements.
Official sources and full profiles
Barclaycard Avios official product · Avios Plus official product · Collecting and spending Avios terms
Free Avios card profile · Avios Plus profile · British Airways Club guide · UK card directory