The best Avios credit cards and how to maximise your rewards

If you want to maximize your Avios points, using the right credit card is essential. With an Avios credit card, you can earn points on everyday spending and redeem them for flights, upgrades, and more.

To supercharge your rewards, add your Avios card to Curve and stack cashback on top of your Avios points. Here’s how to choose the best Avios credit card and maximise your benefits with Curve. By linking your Avios credit card to Curve, you earn additional cashback, and eliminate foreign transaction fees abroad, allowing you to freely use your credit card abroad without the nasty fees canelling out the value of the points you collect. 

What to look for in an Avios credit card

Before we dive into the best Avios credit cards, let's look at what to keep your eyes peeled for in in an ideal card:

1. Earning potential: The more Avios points you earn per £1 spent, the better. Some cards offer higher earn rates if you spend in specific categories like travel, dining, and entertainment.

2. Sign-up bonuses: Many Avios credit cards come with sign-up bonuses, offering a large number of points after meeting a minimum spending threshold. This can get you a fast start on your journey to rewards.

3. Annual fees and hidden charges: Consider whether the benefits (including bonus points and extra perks) outweigh the cost of the annual fee or any other charges for using the card, such as withdrawing cash abroad. Some premium cards may charge higher fees but offer additional travel benefits.

4. Redemption flexibility: It's important to consider how easily you can redeem your points, whether for flights, upgrades, or even hotels and car rentals.
   
   

Now that you understand what to look for in an Avios credit card, let's explore some of the best options available today.

Top Avios credit cards for 2025

Barclaycard Avios Credit Card

Pros:

• Bonus points: You’ll earn up to 5,000 Avios points if you spend £1,000 in the first three months of ownership.

• Earn Rate: 1 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases.

• No annual fee: Unlike several other cards on this list, and Barclaycard’s own Avios Plus credit card, this card does not charge monthly or annual fees.

Cons:

• Lower bonus rate: Unlike some cards, the Barclays Avios credit card doesn’t offer higher earn rates for travel-related spending.

• Fewer perks: While the card provides basic Avios earning, it lacks additional travel perks like insurance or VIP airport access. You can, however, earn a cabin upgrade voucher by spending £20,000 within the first 12 months of ownership.

A good Avios credit card for: those looking to earn Avios points on a budget, and not be saddled with costly additional charges for owning the card.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

Pros:

• Welcome bonus: Earn up to 30,000 Avios points as a sign-up bonus with an HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard.

• Earn rate: Earn 1.5 Avios points for every £1 spent in sterling, increasing to 2 Avios points for every £1 spent in foreign currency.

• Additional travel perks: Receive free airport lounge access with Priority Pass.

Cons:

• Points must be converted from HSBC to Avios: This card lets you earn HSBC points, which convert to Avios points at 2:1, rather than earning Avios points directly.

• High annual fee: An HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard costs £290 annually for card ownership.

• Limited eligibility: This card is only available to existing HSBC Premier account holders.

A good Avios credit card for: existing HSBC customers who can earn significant amounts of Avios points for using the card, including a large welcome bonus and competitive earn rates.

British Airways American Express Credit Card

Pros:

• Earn rate: Earn 1 Avios point for every £1 spent, with 3 Avios points per £1 spent on British Airways purchases.

• Sign-up bonus: Get 5,000 bonus Avios points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months of ownership.

• No annual fee: This is a great option for those looking to collect Avios points without paying an additional annual fee.

• Additional benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts on British Airways flights and no foreign transaction fees when using the card abroad.

Cons:

• Limited spending bonuses: The British Airways American Express credit card does not offer high bonuses for non-travel-related spending, unlike several other cards on the market.

A good credit card for: anyone looking for a budget-friendly Avios credit card, who is likely to spend regularly with British Airways to take advantage of the preferable earn rate. 

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card

Pros:

• Higher bonus points: Up to 30,000 Avios points as a welcome bonus if you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of card ownership.

• Earn rate: Earn 1.5 Avios points per £1 on all purchases, with 3 Avios per £1 spent on British Airways and travel-related spending.

• Travel perks: Access to premium travel benefits like travel insurance, purchase protection, and a British Airways Companion Voucher when you spend a certain amount annually.

Cons:

• High annual fee: £195 annual fee is one of the higher charges on the market.

A good Avios credit card for: those who travel regularly and are likely to hit the higher spending requirements for the sizeable Avios welcome bonus and other perks afforded by this card. 

Iberia Plus Credit Card

Pros:

• Bonus points: You can earn up to 20,000 Avios points as a sign-up bonus based on your spending level, enough for a return European flight with Iberia.

• Earn rate: 1.25 Avios per £1 spent, with higher earn rates for Iberia purchases.

• Premium benefits: The card offers luxury travel perks, including discounts on Iberia flights and additional travel-related benefits.

Cons:

• Higher fees: Like the British Airways American Express Premium Plus card, the Iberia Plus card comes with a monthly fees of around £7 a month.

• Lower earn rate: You earn 1 Avios point for every €3 spent on the card. This rises if you spend on Iberia tickets or in currencies other than the Euro, but is still behind many other cards.

A good Avios credit card for: travellers who are likely to fly frequently with Iberia to take advantage of their full suite of offers including the large welcome bonus. For those looking to keep their options open, this card may not be the right card for earning Avios points.

How Curve boosts your Avios credit card rewards 

By linking your Avios credit card to your Curve Wallet, you can unlock some significant advantages whenever you use your card:

• No foreign transaction fees: Curve eliminates FX fees from all your cards so you can collect Avios points on your credit card without being ripped off in fees.
• Free ATM withdrawals abroad: Take out cash from your Avios credit cards without getting hit with a foreign ATM withdrawal fee. 
• Up to 20% cashback from top brands  With Curve, you can earn cashback on top of your Avios points. As well as weekly, one-time cashback offers, you get cashback every single time you shop at places like Primark, Argos, IKEA and more. That’s extra money back in your pocket, making your purchases even more rewarding.
• 1% cashback outside Europe: Earn an additional 1% cashback on all purchases made outside Europe with any premium Curve plan. If you’re traveling internationally, this is an excellent way to maximise your Avios rewards while travelling.
• Discounted Airport lounge access: With a Curve Pay Pro+ plan, you get discounted access to airport lounges worldwide, saving up to 50%. 
  
  

Maximising your Avios credit card points with Curve

Pairing your Avios credit card with Curve is a game-changer. You’ll not only earn Avios on every purchase but also stack cashback and enjoy travel perks. If you want to get the most out of your Avios points and travel smarter, start using Curve today!