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A irline credit cards can be an efficient method to accelerate mileage earnings. British Airways Executive Club members have a number of options when it comes to Avios points credit cards.

For further information such as interest annual percentage rates (APRs) you should check with the issuing bank.

British Airways has 2 Avios cards in the UK issued by partner American Express:

British Airways American Express Credit Card
9,000 bonus Avios if £1k spent within first 3 months
1 Avios for every £1 spent
Spend £20,000 on the card in 12 months and get 1 free Companion Reward Ticket. This can be used with any Avios ex-UK redemption ticket on BA - taxes and charges are extra.
Travel accident insurance
No annual fee, 2.99% forex fee

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card
25,000 bonus Avios on first £3k spend within 3 months
1.5 Avios for every £1 spent
3 Avios for every £1 spent on BA flights/holidays
Spend £10,000 on the card in 12 months and get 1 free Companion Reward Ticket with any Avios ex-UK redemption ticket on BA - taxes and charges are extra.
Travel accident insurance
£150 annual fee, 2.99% forex fee
This is the card of choice used by UK based BA "pros"

British Airways normally sends the companion ticket voucher about 2 weeks after the required annual spend has been reached. The voucher has a validity of 12 months - all outbound sectors must be flown by then. To get the maximum value from the voucher you should use it on a long-haul redemption flight in Club or First Class.

If you plan to spend £20k to get the companion voucher on the standard card then it is probably be more prudent to go for the premium card and add a supplementary cardholder. Then, by spending £10k on each card (£20k total), this would trigger 2 companion vouchers.

UK alternatives: There is the Lloyds TSB Duo Avios Credit Card which is a dual card comprising an American Express and a Mastercard. Yields 1 Avios per £1 spent on Amex, 0.2 Avios per £1 spent on the Mastercard. Double miles are given on spend outside the UK. Has no annual fee, 2.95% forex fee.

American Express Membership Rewards points can be instantly transferred to BA Avios on a 1:1 basis, minimum transfer 1000 points.

For US members there is the following option issued by Chase - usually with a very generous mileage bonus which can vary depending on the current offer:

British Airways Visa Signature Card
50,000 bonus Avios after $1,000 spend in first 3 months
25,000 bonus Avios after $10k spend in first year
25,000 bonus Avios after another $10k spend in first year
1.25 Avios for every $1 spent
2.5 Avios for every $1 spent with BA
Spend $30,000 on the card in 12 months and get 1 free "Travel Together Ticket". This companion voucher lasts 2 years and can be used on any redemption flight on BA.
$95 annual fee, no forex fees

US Alternatives: American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to BA Avios on a 1:1 basis, minimum transfer 1000 points. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be transferred 1:1 to BA Avios. Both offer instant transfers.

Starwood Preferred Guest members (who could use the SPG AMEX card) can transfer 1:1 or at the bonus rate of 20k Starpoints to 25k Avios points.

For Canadian members there is a card issued by RBC Royal Bank:

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Credit Card
15,000 bonus Avios on enrolment
1 Avios for every C$1 spent
2 Avios for every C$1 spent with BA
Spend C$30,000 on the card in 12 months and get 1 free companion voucher. This lasts 2 years to be used on any redemption flight on BA.
Travel accident insurance
C$165 annual fee, 2.5% forex fees

As always, you should carefully read and understand the terms and conditions before applying for any frequent flyer miles credit card. Alternatively speak to an authorised financial advisor. Above card names are registered trademarks; information accuracy not guaranteed and can change.

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