Every card that earns Avios in the UK, ranked and compared for 2026. We cut through the marketing to show which card earns fastest, which unlocks the companion voucher, and which one is right for how you spend.
The “best” Avios card is the one that matches your spending and travel plans. This guide ranks the leading UK options, explains the two different ways a card can feed your Avios balance, and gives you a clear rule for choosing. Every figure is checked against the providers’ published terms.
| Card | Earn rate | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA American Express (free) | 1 Avios / £1 | No annual fee | Best free starter |
| BA Premium Plus | 1.5 Avios / £1 (1.25 from 7 Oct 2026) | £300 / year | The 2-4-1 voucher |
| Barclaycard Avios Plus (Mastercard) | 1.5 Avios / £1 | £20 / month | Non-Amex + no FX fees |
| Barclaycard Avios (free) | 1 Avios / £1 | No annual fee | Fee-free Mastercard |
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | 1 MR / £1 (2x airlines & FX) | Free year 1, then £195 | Best for flexibility |
| Amex Platinum | 1 MR / £1 | £695 / year | Most perks |
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.
Co-branded cards (the BA Amex cards and the Barclaycard Avios cards) earn Avios directly and can unlock a companion or upgrade voucher. Membership Rewards cards (Amex Gold, Platinum) earn a flexible currency you transfer to Avios at 1:1 — and to other airline and hotel partners if your plans change.
If you are not yet certain Avios is your programme, a Membership Rewards card keeps your options open — only the co-branded BA cards give a British Airways companion voucher.
Serious collectors rarely stop at one. A popular set-up is an Amex Membership Rewards card for everyday spend, a co-branded BA Amex for the companion voucher, and a Barclaycard for the shops that refuse Amex. There is no rule against holding several — just watch that Amex welcome bonuses are once per card per lifetime, and only carry fees for benefits you will genuinely use.
If a 2-4-1 voucher is your goal, these are the two cards that earn one.
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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.