The BA Premium Plus card has been the UK's favourite Avios card for years. It got less rewarding in October, when Amex cut the earn rate, but its headline perk, the Companion Voucher, is unchanged. Here's what the card offers now and the simple test for whether it's worth £300 to you.
Key takeaways
- £300 a year. Representative 135.7% APR variable (includes the fee), purchase rate 29.1% variable on an assumed £1,200 limit. Credit is subject to status.
- Earns 1.25 Avios per £1 since 7 October 2026, down from 1.5. BA spending fell from 3 to 1.25 Avios per £1 (Head for Points).
- 2-4-1 Companion Voucher in any cabin when you spend £15,000 in a cardmembership year.
- Welcome bonus: 30,000 Avios for £6,000 spend in three months on the standard offer (Reward Flight Finder, 26 Oct 2026).
- No bonus if you've held a personal BA Amex card in the last 24 months.
What does the BA Premium Plus card include?
The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card (Representative 135.7% APR variable, credit subject to status) earns Avios directly into your British Airways Club account.
| Feature | BA Amex Premium Plus |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | £300 |
| Representative APR | 135.7% variable, including the fee |
| Purchase rate | 29.1% variable |
| Welcome bonus | 30,000 Avios for £6,000 spend in 3 months (standard) |
| Earn rate | 1.25 Avios per £1, including BA spending |
| Companion Voucher | 2-4-1 in any cabin at £15,000 spend in a card year |
| Tier points | From April 2027, 1 per £10 spent, up to 3,000 a year |
| Foreign spending | 2.99% non-sterling fee |
The welcome offer can change, and limited-time offers have been as high as 60,000 Avios (August to October 2026, per Head for Points). The current offer is shown on the application page.
How does the 2-4-1 Companion Voucher work?
When you spend £15,000 on the card in a cardmembership year, you get a voucher that lets two people fly on a British Airways Avios reward booking for the Avios price of one. You still pay taxes and charges for both. On Premium Plus, the voucher works in any cabin, including business and first, and lasts two years.
That's where the big value is. A return business-class reward to the US can cost well over 100,000 Avios per person, so the voucher can save that much again for a companion. Head for Points has noted it can save up to 200,000 Avios on a single redemption.
To get good value you need to find reward seats for two, which can be hard at busy times. Book early, ideally as soon as seats open around a year ahead.
Is BA Premium Plus worth £300?
It's worth it if you'll hit £15,000 of spending a year and use the voucher for a premium-cabin trip for two. Without the voucher, the maths doesn't work: 1.25 Avios per £1 is no longer market-leading.
Here's a rough way to see what the Avios alone are worth to you:
- Monthly card spending£1,250
- Avios value (% of spend)1.25%
- Annual fee£300
On £15,000 a year, the Avios alone are worth about £188 at 1p each, which doesn't cover the £300 fee. The voucher has to make up the difference, and for a business-class trip it usually does by a wide margin.
Take Action: Before applying, check whether your household can put £15,000 a year on the card without changing what you buy, and whether you'd use a voucher for a premium cabin.
What changed in October 2026?
Amex cut the earn rate from 1.5 to 1.25 Avios per £1 on 7 October 2026, and BA spending dropped from 3 Avios per £1 to 1.25. The fee and voucher stayed the same. From April 2027, tier points will be credited as you spend, up to 3,000 a year.
That cut makes the Barclaycard Avios Plus card the higher earner, at 1.5 Avios per £1 for £20 a month. Our post on the Premium Plus earn rate cut and Barclaycard Avios Plus compares the two in detail.
BA Premium Plus vs other Avios cards
| BA Premium Plus | BA Amex (free) | Barclaycard Avios Plus | Amex Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | £300 | £0 | £240 a year | £0, then £195 |
| Avios per £1 | 1.25 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 (points convert 1:1) |
| Voucher | 2-4-1 any cabin at £15,000 | 2-4-1 economy at £15,000 | Upgrade or 7,000 Avios at £10,000 | None |
Data from Reward Flight Finder and Head for Points. If you mainly fly economy or won't hit £15,000, the free BA Amex or Amex Gold may suit you better. Our cashback vs Avios guide also covers whether points are right for you at all.
Eligibility
You need to be over 18 with a UK address and meet Amex's income and credit checks. You won't get the welcome bonus if you've held a personal British Airways Amex card (free or Premium Plus) in the previous 24 months. Holding Gold or Platinum doesn't count against you, so many people hold both. Credit is subject to status.
FAQ
How much is the BA Amex Premium Plus card?
The British Airways American Express Premium Plus card costs £300 a year. The Representative APR is 135.7% variable, including the fee, with a 29.1% variable purchase rate on an assumed £1,200 limit. The fee is charged annually and refunded pro rata if you cancel.
How many Avios does BA Premium Plus earn?
Since 7 October 2026, the BA Premium Plus card earns 1.25 Avios per £1 on eligible spending, including British Airways purchases. Before the change, it earned 1.5 Avios per £1 and 3 per £1 with BA. On £15,000 a year you'd earn 18,750 Avios.
How do you get the BA Amex Companion Voucher?
Spend £15,000 on the BA Premium Plus card in a cardmembership year to earn a 2-4-1 Companion Voucher. It lets two people fly on a British Airways Avios reward flight for the Avios price of one, in any cabin. You pay taxes and charges for both, and it's valid for two years.
What is the BA Premium Plus welcome bonus?
The standard welcome bonus is 30,000 Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first three months, according to Reward Flight Finder on 26 October 2026. Limited-time offers can be higher. You won't qualify if you've held a personal BA Amex card in the last 24 months.
Is BA Premium Plus still worth it after the earn rate cut?
It's still worth it if you'll spend £15,000 a year and use the 2-4-1 voucher on a premium-cabin trip for two. If you won't, the 1.25 Avios per £1 earn rate and £300 fee make Barclaycard Avios Plus or a free card better value.
The bottom line
The BA Premium Plus card is less generous than it was, but the any-cabin Companion Voucher still makes it one of the most valuable cards in the UK for the right household. If you can reach £15,000 a year and want business-class trips for two, it's worth £300. If not, look at the free BA Amex or Amex Gold.
Ready to start collecting? Apply for the BA Premium Plus card with our referral link. Representative 135.7% APR variable. Credit is subject to status.