What the British Airways American Express card is and who offers it
The British Airways American Express card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express in partnership with British Airways. It is designed for people who fly British Airways regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to airline miles.
American Express is the card issuer — they handle your account, billing, and customer service. British Airways is the airline partner — they operate the rewards program and determine how your miles can be used. You explore through American Express, and if you are approved, you receive a physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The card comes in two versions: the standard card and a premium tier card with a higher annual fee and additional benefits. Both versions earn British Airways Avios (the airline's rewards currency) on purchases and offer a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns Avios points on purchases, which you redeem directly through British Airways for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and the amount depends on which version you choose — the premium card costs more but includes additional perks like airport lounge access.
- A sign-up bonus is offered when you spend a set amount within a defined timeframe after opening the account, but this bonus has conditions and expiration dates.
- The card is a standard credit product, so approval depends on your credit history, income, and existing debt — not everyone who applies will be approved.
- Avios points expire if your account is inactive for a set period, so you need to use or transfer them regularly to avoid losing them.
how the process works for the British Airways American Express card
You explore online through the American Express website. Search for "British Airways American Express card" or visit the American Express rewards cards section and select the British Airways option. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details.
American Express will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your account number, and the physical card arrives by mail. If you are denied, the email will explain the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or existing debt levels.
You can also call American Express directly at the number on their website to ask questions before explore. They can tell you whether the card is a good fit for your spending habits and whether you are likely to be approved based on a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.
Understanding the annual fee and how it compares to benefits
The standard British Airways American Express card charges an annual fee, and the premium version charges a higher annual fee. Both fees are charged to your account once per year, usually on your account anniversary. You are responsible for paying this fee whether you use the card or not.
The card issuer does not waive the first-year fee for new cardholders — you pay it when ready upon approval. Some cardholders offset this cost by earning the sign-up bonus in the first few months, which can be worth more than the annual fee in Avios value. However, this depends on how you value Avios and whether you actually use them for flights.
The premium tier includes benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and higher earning rates on certain purchases. Whether these benefits justify the higher fee depends on how often you travel and whether you use the lounge access. If you fly British Airways fewer than two or three times per year, the standard card is usually the better choice.
How you earn and redeem Avios points
You earn Avios on every purchase you make with the card. The earning rate varies by purchase type — you earn a higher rate on British Airways flights and travel purchases, and a lower rate on other everyday purchases like groceries or gas. The exact earning rates are listed in the card's terms and conditions.
Avios accumulate in your British Airways Executive Club account, which is linked to your credit card account. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your British Airways account online or calling their customer service number. Your Avios never expire as long as you use your account at least once every 36 months — this includes earning, redeeming, or transferring points.
To redeem Avios, you log into your British Airways account and search for available flights. You can book a one-way or round-trip flight using only Avios, or you can use Avios to upgrade an existing ticket to a higher cabin class. You can also transfer Avios to partner airlines or hotel programs, though the transfer rate is usually not as favorable as booking directly with British Airways.
Sign-up bonuses and how to meet the spending requirement
New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus in Avios after they spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — typically three months from account opening. The bonus amount and spending threshold vary depending on which card version you choose and current promotions. For example, you might earn 50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
The spending requirement includes all purchases you make with the card, except balance transfers and cash advances. This means regular bills, groceries, gas, online shopping, and travel all count toward the threshold. If you do not meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you do not receive the bonus — there is no partial credit or extension.
The sign-up bonus is a one-time offer per person, and American Express has rules about how long you must wait between applications if you want to earn another bonus. These rules change periodically, so check the current terms before explore if you have held this card before.
What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance
If you miss a payment, American Express will charge you a late fee and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. The card also carries an interest rate (called the APR) that applies to any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. This interest rate is variable and changes based on market conditions and your creditworthiness.
American Express typically does not offer a grace period for balance transfers or cash advances — interest starts accruing when ready on these transactions. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on top of the annual fee, which can make the card expensive to hold. Most cardholders use the card for everyday purchases and pay the full balance each month to avoid interest charges.
If you fall behind on payments, American Express may suspend your account or close it entirely. A closed account still reports to credit bureaus and can affect your ability to open new credit accounts in the future. If you are struggling to pay, contact American Express as soon as possible — they may be able to work out a payment plan.
Comparing this card to other airline and rewards cards
Other airlines offer co-branded American Express cards with similar structures — United, Delta, and Southwest all have versions. These cards typically charge annual fees, offer sign-up bonuses, and earn rewards in the airline's currency. The main difference is which airline you fly most often and which earning rates and benefits matter most to you.
Non-airline rewards cards, like the American Express Blue Cash or Chase Sapphire cards, earn cash back or flexible points instead of airline miles. These cards may have lower annual fees or no annual fee at all, and the rewards can be used for any travel or transferred to multiple airlines. If you do not fly British Airways regularly, a flexible rewards card might be a better fit.
The best card for you depends on your travel patterns. If you fly British Airways multiple times per year and value the perks like lounge access, the British Airways card can be worth the annual fee. If you fly different airlines or prefer cash back, a different card may save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to be approved for the British Airways American Express card?
American Express does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, approval is more likely with a credit score of 670 or higher, but approval depends on your full financial picture — income, existing debt, and credit history all matter. The best way to know your chances is to check your credit report for errors and call American Express before explore.
Can I use Avios to book flights on airlines other than British Airways?
Yes. British Airways is part of the Oneworld airline alliance, so you can redeem Avios on partner airlines like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways. You can also transfer Avios to hotel and car rental partners, though the redemption value is often lower than booking a British Airways flight directly.
What happens to my Avios if I close the card?
Your Avios do not disappear when you close the card — they remain in your British Airways Executive Club account. However, if your account becomes inactive for 36 months, your Avios will expire. You can keep your Avios alive by using your British Airways account to book flights, transfer points, or make other account activity, even without holding the credit card.
Is there a way to avoid paying the annual fee?
No. American Express charges the annual fee to all cardholders, and there is no waiver for the first year or for inactive accounts. If you decide the card is not worth the fee, you can close the account, but you will not receive a refund of the annual fee you already paid.
How long does it take to earn enough Avios for a free flight?
This depends on how much you spend and which flights you want to book. A domestic round-trip flight typically costs 25,000 to 50,000 Avios, depending on the route and how far in advance you book. If you earn 1 Avios per dollar spent on everyday purchases, you would need to spend $25,000 to $50,000 to earn a free domestic flight — though earning rates are higher on British Airways flights and travel purchases.