Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard Review: Is It Worth It?

For frequent flyers, choosing the right credit card can make the difference between average travel and a first-class experience. Known for its rewarding Avios program and premium travel extras, the Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard appeals to everyone from casual holidaymakers to regular business passengers.

But is it really the best option for earning Avios and enjoying travel upgrades? In this detailed review, we will explore the features, benefits, drawbacksand alternatives of the Barclaycard Avios Plus to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your wallet.

What Is the Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard?

The Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard is a premium rewards credit card designed for people who frequently fly with British Airways and its Oneworld airline partners. Rather than focusing on standard rewards, the card is built around Avios points, the miles system used by the British Airways Executive Club.

Quick facts at a glance:

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	£20 per month (£240 per year)
Avios Earning Rate	1.5 Avios per £1 spent
Welcome Bonus	Often includes 25,000 Avios when meeting spend criteria
Travel Perks	Cabin upgrade voucher when spending £10,000 annually
APR	77.6% representative APR variable (with fee included)

This card is positioned as a direct competitor to the British Airways American Express Premium Plus card which offering Mastercard flexibility with widespread global acceptance.

Key Features of the Barclaycard Avios Plus

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard Review: Is It Worth It?

1. Generous Avios Earning Rate

No matter the transaction, every £1 spent earns you 1.5 Avios.This makes it one of the most rewarding UK credit cards for Avios accumulation. Unlike other cards that restrict higher rates to specific categories, the Barclaycard Avios Plus offers a flat rate across all spending.

2. Welcome Bonus

Most new cardholders receive a welcome bonus of 25,000 Avios after spending £3,000 within the first three months.. This is enough for a return economy flight to destinations like Barcelona, Veniceor Copenhagen when booked with Reward Flight Saver.

3. Cabin Upgrade Voucher

Perhaps the most attractive perk is the cabin upgrade voucher, earned after spending £10,000 in a card year. This allows you to upgrade a British Airways flight booking by one cabin class (e.g., from Premium Economy to Business) for one passenger.

4. Global Mastercard Acceptance

Unlike American Express which is not universally accepted, the Barclaycard Avios Plus is a Mastercard making it usable almost everywhere in the UK and abroad.

5. Travel Protections

The card includes standard purchase protection, fraud monitoring and access to Barclaycard’s online account management tools.

Barclaycard Avios Plus vs Barclaycard Avios (Free Version)

Barclaycard offers two Avios credit cards: the free version and the Plus version. The table below highlights the key differences between the two cards:

Feature	Barclaycard Avios (Free)	Barclaycard Avios Plus
Monthly Fee	£0	£20
Avios Earn Rate	1 Avios per £1	1.5 Avios per £1
Welcome Bonus	5,000 Avios (on £1,000 spend in 3 months)	25,000 Avios (on £3,000 spend in 3 months)
Upgrade Voucher	Spend £20,000/year	Spend £10,000/year
Global Acceptance	Mastercard	Mastercard

Verdict: If you are a casual traveler who only flies occasionally, the free version might be enough. However, if you spend regularly on your card and value faster Avios accumulation plus easier access to the upgrade voucher, the Avios Plus is clearly more rewarding.

Pros and Cons of the Barclaycard Avios Plus

Pros

Excellent Avios earn rate (1.5 per £1)
Large welcome bonus potential
Upgrade voucher at a relatively low spend threshold (£10,000)
Mastercard acceptance worldwide
Strong alternative to American Express travel cards

Cons

£20 monthly fee adds up (£240 annually)
High representative APR if carrying a balance
Upgrade voucher applies to only one passenger (unlike BA Amex companion voucher)
No direct airport lounge access included

Who Should Get the Barclaycard Avios Plus?

This card is best suited for:

Frequent British Airways flyers who want to maximize Avios earning potential.
Families or couples who want to upgrade at least one passenger on flights.
Travelers who prefer Mastercard acceptance over Amex.
High spenders who can comfortably hit the £10,000 annual threshold for the upgrade voucher.

If you fly rarely or don’t plan to use Avios for redemptions, a cashback card may provide better long-term value.

How to Maximize Your Barclaycard Avios Plus Benefits

Here are some practical tips to squeeze the most value from your Barclaycard Avios Plus:

Use it for everyday spending From groceries to bills, every pound earns 1.5 Avios.
Hit the welcome bonus Plan your big purchases early to meet the £3,000 spend in 90 days.
Pair with a BA Executive Club household account Pool Avios with family members for faster rewards.
Book Reward Flight Saver Avios redemptions with capped fees and charges offer maximum value.
Time redemptions strategically Use Avios for long-haul premium cabin flights where cash fares are high.

Real-World Example: How Far Can Avios Take You?

Let’s say you spend £2,000 per month on the Barclaycard Avios Plus.

£2,000 x 12 months = £24,000 annual spend
£24,000 x 1.5 Avios = 36,000 Avios earned
Add 25,000 welcome bonus = 61,000 Avios total in Year 1

With 61,000 Avios, you could book:

Two return economy flights to New York (off-peak)
One return premium economy flight to Dubai
Multiple European short-haul trips using Reward Flight Saver

The upgrade voucher adds even more value if you prefer premium cabins.

Barclaycard Avios Plus vs BA Amex Premium Plus

The biggest rival to the Barclaycard Avios Plus is the British Airways American Express Premium Plus card. Let’s compare:

Feature	Barclaycard Avios Plus	BA Amex Premium Plus
Annual Fee	£240	£300
Avios Earn Rate	1.5 per £1	1.5 per £1
Welcome Bonus	25,000 Avios	25,000 Avios
Voucher	Cabin upgrade (1 passenger)	Companion voucher (2 passengers)
Acceptance	Mastercard (widely accepted)	Amex (limited in some places)

Takeaway: The Amex card may be better for couples wanting a companion voucher while the Barclaycard Avios Plus offers more flexibility with Mastercard acceptance and a lower annual fee.

Common Questions About the Barclaycard Avios Plus

1. Is the Barclaycard Avios Plus worth the fee?

Yes, if you spend at least £10,000 annually and plan to redeem Avios regularly. The upgrade voucher and high earning rate can easily offset the £240 annual cost.

2. Can I hold both the free and Plus versions?

No, you must choose one Barclaycard Avios product. However, you can switch between them if your travel habits change.

3. How long does it take to receive Avios after spending?

Avios are usually transferred monthly from your Barclaycard account to your BA Executive Club account.

4. Do Avios points expire?

Yes, Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. Any earning or redemption resets the clock.

5. What credit score is needed?

You will typically need a good to excellent credit rating to be approved for the Barclaycard Avios Plus.

6. Is there a foreign transaction fee?

There is a 2.99% charge on non-UK currency transactions which making it less travel-friendly unless backed up by a fee-free card for overseas use.

7. Can I use the upgrade voucher on partner airlines?

No, the upgrade voucher is only valid on British Airways flights.

8. How do I trigger the welcome bonus?

To qualify, you will need to spend a minimum of £3,000 in the first three months after opening your account.

9. Can I downgrade to the free card later?

Yes, you can request a downgrade if you no longer want to pay the monthly fee.

10. Is the Barclaycard Avios Plus better than cashback cards?

It depends on your travel goals. If you value Avios redemptions, upgrades and travel perks, it can be far more rewarding. If you rarely fly, a cashback card may offer simpler value.

Should You Apply for the Barclaycard Avios Plus?

The Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard stands out as one of the best UK travel credit cards for British Airways loyalists. Its combination of a strong Avios earning rate, generous welcome bonus and achievable upgrade voucher make it a compelling option for frequent travelers.

However, the monthly fee means it only makes sense if you fly regularly and take advantage of Avios redemptions. For occasional holidaymakers, the free Barclaycard Avios or a cashback card may be a better fit.

Bottom line: If you are serious about maximizing Avios, want global Mastercard acceptance and spend enough to unlock the upgrade voucher, the Barclaycard Avios Plus is a smart, rewarding choice.

Call to Action:
If you are ready to elevate your travel experience, consider applying for the Barclaycard Avios Plus today and start earning Avios on your everyday spending.