What's the best Barclays Avios credit card?
If you're looking to turn your everyday spending into travel rewards, the Barclays Avios credit card offers two standout options for Avios collectors. Whether you're new to collecting points or a seasoned travel hacker, there's a card tailored to your needs. In this guide, we break down the two Barclays Avios credit cards, compare their benefits side by side, and show you how to supercharge your rewards by pairing your card with a Curve Wallet. By linking your Barclays Avios credit card you Curve, you can earn cashback in addition to your Avios, doubling up on. rewards as you spend.
Comparing the Barclays Avios Credit Cards
Barclays offers two options: the Barclaycard Avios and the Barclaycard Avios Plus. Here's how they stack up:
| Feature | Barclaycard Avios | Barclaycard Avios Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | £0 | £20 (£240/year) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 5,000 Avios (spend £1,000 in first 3 months) | 25,000 Avios (spend £3,000 in first 3 months) |
| Avios Earning Rate | 1 Avios per £1 spent | 1.5 Avios per £1 spent |
| Upgrade Voucher | Spend £20,000/year | Spend £10,000/year |
| Voucher Use | Upgrade a return BA flight or a cabin class | Same benefit, but easier to achieve |
| Who It’s For | Occasional travelers or Avios beginners | Frequent travelers or those who can justify the fee with higher spending |
| Representative APR | 29.9% (variable) | 80.1% (variable, due to fee) |
Barclaycard Avios credit card – No Fee, Solid Rewards
This card is perfect if you want to start earning Avios without paying a monthly fee. You earn 1 Avios per £1 spent, and if you spend £20,000 in a year, you unlock a valuable upgrade voucher. The 5,000 Avios sign-up bonus gives you a nice head start.
Best for: Budget-conscious Avios collectors and lighter spenders.
Barclaycard Avios Plus – Maximise Your Avios
If you travel frequently or spend more, the Avios Plus card may be worth the £20/month fee. You'll get a 25,000 Avios welcome bonus after spending £3,000 in three months, earn Avios 50% faster, and only need to spend £10,000 annually to unlock an upgrade voucher.
Best for: High spenders and regular British Airways travelers.
Boost Your Rewards with Curve
Whichever Barclays Avios credit card you choose, there's a smart way to squeeze even more value from your spending: link your card to a Curve Wallet.
With Curve, you can:
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Earn cashback on top of Avios: Curve gives you cashback at selected retailers, even when you're using your Barclays Avios credit card.
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Kill FX fees abroad: Curve eliminates the typical 2.99% foreign transaction fee, letting you use your Barclays Avios credit card internationally without extra costs.
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Get 1% cashback on global spend: With a premium Curve plan, you earn 1% cashback on all spending outside Europe. This is a great bonus for international travellers looking to double-dip on rewards.
In short, Curve helps you get more out of every transaction, both at home and abroad.
The Barclays Avios credit card range is a great way to earn flights, upgrades, and more through your everyday spending. Choose the standard card if you're looking for a fee-free introduction to Avios, or go for the Plus card if you're ready to maximise rewards with a higher spend.
And don’t forget: pairing either card with a Curve Wallet is the smartest way to amplify your rewards, eliminate foreign transaction fees, and earn cashback alongside your Avios.
Start collecting, start flying – and let every purchase take you closer to your next trip.
