The fee-free British Airways American Express is the natural first Avios card: 1 Avios per £1, no annual fee and an economy companion voucher within reach. Here is our honest take for 2026.
With no annual fee, the free BA Amex is almost a default hold for any UK Avios collector. It will not earn the fastest, and its companion voucher is economy-only — but it costs nothing to keep and quietly builds your Avios on everyday spend.
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| Annual fee | No fee |
| Earn rate | 1 Avios per £1 spent |
| Network | American Express |
| Companion voucher | Economy only, at £15,000 spend, valid 12 months |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.99% |
| Protection | Section 75 on purchases £100–£30,000 |
Welcome bonuses and exact terms change — confirm the current offer on American Express’s own site. This is general information, not financial advice.
Because the voucher is economy-only, most people who fly premium eventually upgrade to the Premium Plus — but the free card is the right place to start.
Pros
Cons
The fee-free British Airways American Express is the sensible starting point for UK Avios. It will never be the fastest earner, but with no fee there is little reason not to hold it, and the economy companion voucher is a real bonus for a card that costs nothing. Pair it with a Membership Rewards card for the welcome bonus, and upgrade to the Premium Plus only when you are ready to use a premium-cabin voucher.
If you can hit £15,000 spend, the Premium Plus voucher upgrade may be worth the fee.
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The AviosArcana Editorial Team
We decode the British Airways loyalty programme in plain English, cross-checking every figure against published card terms. We are not a lender and this is general information, not financial advice.