Barclaycard Avios Plus: Worth the £20 Monthly Fee?
The Barclaycard Avios Plus offers 1.5 Avios per £1 spent, but is it worth the £20 monthly fee? Let's break down the numbers and see if the rewards outweigh the costs.
The Quick Version
The Barclaycard Avios Plus is a travel rewards card that promises big perks for frequent flyers. With 1.5 Avios per £1 spent and a welcome bonus of 25,000 Avios after a £3,000 spend in three months, it sounds tempting. But the £20 monthly fee and high 80.1% APR can quickly eat into your rewards. Is it worth it? Only if you're a serious Avios collector.
Barclaycard Avios Plus
Barclaycard Avios Plus offers a strong Avios earning rate, but the fee is steep.
Barclaycard Avios Plus
What's Inside
The Barclaycard Avios Plus offers a solid 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible purchases, making it a great card for those who are loyal to the British Airways ecosystem. Spend £10,000 in a year, and you'll have the choice between a cabin upgrade voucher or 7,000 bonus Avios. The £20 monthly fee might seem high, but with access to over 1,000 airport lounges at a discounted rate, frequent flyers might find value here. Just watch out for that steep 80.1% APR variable rate.
What's Actually Good
The main draw here is the Avios earning potential. If you fly often with British Airways, the 1.5 Avios per £1 spent is hard to beat. The welcome bonus of 25,000 Avios for new cardholders who spend £3,000 in the first three months is another big plus, effectively subsidizing the first year of fees. The cabin upgrade voucher for spending £10,000 annually is a nice touch if you can hit that mark.
The Catch
The £20 monthly fee is the first hurdle. At £240 annually, you need to be sure you're getting your money's worth through Avios redemptions and other perks. The 80.1% APR is a killer for anyone not paying off their balance in full. And while the lounge access is nice, the £20.50 per visit charge can add up quickly if you travel often. Finally, if you're not hitting that £10,000 annual spend, the upgrade voucher or extra Avios bonus won't materialize, making the card less appealing.
Who It's For
This card is ideal for British Airways loyalists who travel frequently and can leverage the Avios program to its fullest. If you spend heavily on travel and can consistently meet the spending thresholds, the rewards can significantly offset the card's fees. However, if your travel is sporadic or you're not brand-loyal, the fees and high APR might outweigh the benefits.
The Bottom Line
The Barclaycard Avios Plus is a strong contender for frequent travelers who can capitalize on Avios rewards. But if you're not flying regularly, the costs can outweigh the perks. Looking for something different? Check out the HSBC Student Credit Card: A Starter Kit for UK Students.
