The fastest way to a big Avios balance is the right card in your wallet. Here is how the leading UK options compare on fees, earn rates and perks — and who each one really suits.
There is no single “best” card — it depends on your spend and whether you want a companion voucher. This guide splits the market into the two ways to earn Avios and shows exactly which card wins for each type of collector.
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UK cards feed your Avios balance in one of two ways. The first is Membership Rewards cards (Preferred Rewards Gold, Platinum, the MR Credit Card) that earn a flexible currency you transfer to Avios at 1:1. The second is co-branded cards (the BA Amex cards and Barclaycard Avios) that earn Avios directly and can unlock a companion voucher.
Flexible Membership Rewards are safer if you are not yet committed to Avios — they can go to other airline and hotel partners too. Only the co-branded cards give a BA companion voucher.
| Card | Earn rate | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred Rewards Gold | 1 MR / £1 | No fee year 1, then annual fee | Best all-round starter |
| The Platinum Card | 1 MR / £1 | High annual fee | Most perks & flexibility |
| Membership Rewards Credit Card | 1 MR / £1 | No annual fee | Fee-free MR earner |
| BA American Express (blue) | 1 Avios / £1 | No annual fee | Fee-free Avios + voucher |
| BA Premium Plus | 1.25 Avios / £1 (from 7 Oct 2026) | £300 annual fee | The 2-4-1 companion voucher |
| Barclaycard Avios Plus (Mastercard) | 1.5 Avios / £1 | Monthly fee | Non-Amex backup |
Fees, earn rates and welcome bonuses change frequently — always confirm the current terms on the provider’s own site before applying. This is general information, not financial advice.
For most people, The Preferred Rewards Gold is the standout first card: 1 Membership Rewards point per pound, no fee in the first year, four airport lounge passes, a Deliveroo credit and a large welcome bonus. You bank a big chunk of Avios cheaply, then decide whether to add a co-branded card for the companion voucher.
If BA is your programme and you want the companion voucher, the co-branded cards are the direct way in.
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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.