Is the BA Amex Premium Plus Card Right for You? Our Honest Review

Did the promise of a Companion Voucher and a huge pile of Avios on the British Airways Amex Premium Plus Card catch your eye? Perfect. It’s one of the most talked-about travel cards in the UK, and for good reason.

But let’s be honest, that dream of flying Business Class with a partner for the price of one is a big promise. And it comes with a very real £250 annual fee.

So, is it truly the key to unlocking luxury travel, or is it an expensive wallet-filler that doesn’t deliver? The answer depends entirely on *how* you spend your money.

In this detailed review, we are breaking down every single aspect. We’ll cover:

• A deep dive into the Companion Voucher (and its hidden rules and *costs*).
• The *real* value of the Avios earning rates.
• A transparent table of all the fees (including that £250 charge).
• The major drawbacks you must know before you apply (like the high APR).
• The exact eligibility criteria, including Amex’s 24-month bonus rule.
• A step-by-step guide to the application process.

By the end, you’ll know for sure if the BA Amex Premium Plus Card is the right co-pilot for your finances, or if you’re better off with a different card.

A Deep Dive into the Core Benefits

This card is all about one thing: earning Avios and the Companion Voucher. Let’s look at the specifics.

Benefit 1: The Companion Voucher (The Main Event)

This is the card’s single biggest perk, and the main reason anyone pays the £250 fee. Here’s how it works:

When you spend £10,000 on the card in one membership year, you earn a Companion Voucher. This voucher allows you to book a British Airways reward flight (using your Avios) and take a companion with you in the *same cabin* for no additional Avios. You still have to pay the taxes, fees, and carrier charges for both tickets.

This is where the value explodes. If you use it for a standard Euro-trip in Economy, you save a few thousand Avios. But if you use it for two Business Class (Club World) tickets to New York, you could be saving 100,000+ Avios, which can be worth well over £1,000.

The Key Details:

• You must spend £10,000 in your card membership year (not a calendar year).
• The voucher is valid for 24 months from the date of issue (a huge perk over the free card’s 12-month voucher).
• You must book and travel *from* the UK.
• It can be used on any BA flight, in any cabin, as long as there are reward seats available.

Expert Tip: Budget for the ‘Free’ Flight Taxes

Be warned: ‘free’ reward flights are not entirely free. This is the biggest shock for new cardholders. While your Avios cover the flight *cost*, you must still pay the significant taxes and carrier charges. For a peak-time return flight to New York in Business Class, these charges can easily be £700 – £900 per person. The Companion Voucher saves you the 100,000+ Avios for the second ticket, but you will still pay the taxes for *both* passengers.

Benefit 2: The High Avios Earning Rate

This card is an Avios-earning machine. The rates are simple:

• 1.5 Avios for every £1 you spend on pretty much everything (your weekly shop at Tesco, your petrol, your morning coffee).
• 3 Avios for every £1 you spend directly with British Airways or BA Holidays.

Let’s make that practical. If you spend £1,500 a month on your card, that’s 2,250 Avios. Over a year, that’s 27,000 Avios from your everyday spending alone, *before* you even get the welcome bonus. That’s more than enough for a return flight to many European cities (plus taxes).

Benefit 3: The Welcome Bonus

Currently, American Express is offering 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 on the card within your first 3 months. This is a fantastic head-start. 25,000 Avios is enough to cover a return flight to places like Rome, Lisbon, or Berlin (plus taxes/fees).

CRITICAL RULE: You are not eligible for this welcome bonus if you have held any personal British Airways American Express Card (including the free version) in the past 24 months. This is a vital rule, so check your card history before you apply just for the bonus.

Benefit 4: Amex Travel & Purchase Protections

This is a premium card, and it comes with premium perks. You get a comprehensive travel inconvenience insurance policy (which covers flight delays, cancellations, and lost luggage) and purchase/refund protections on items you buy with the card. This is the peace of mind you expect from Amex.

All Fees and Costs at a Glance

Here are the numbers. This card is a premium product, and it has a high APR to match. It is designed to be paid off in full every month.

The Drawbacks: What to Know Before You Apply

This card is fantastic for the right person, but it’s a terrible choice for the wrong one. Be honest with yourself and read these drawbacks carefully.

Drawback 1: The £250 Annual Fee

This is the most obvious hurdle. You are paying £250 every year, upfront. To make this “worth it,” you must extract *more* than £250 in value from the rewards. If you fail to spend the £10,000 to get the Companion Voucher, it is almost impossible to justify this fee. You are making a £250 bet that you will spend enough and travel enough to win.

To put that £250 fee in perspective, let’s look at the Avios earn rate. Assuming a standard value of 1p per Avios, you would need to earn 25,000 Avios just to break even on the fee. At the 1.5 Avios/£1 rate, that means spending £16,667 per year *just* to cover the fee with points. This calculation proves why the Companion Voucher is the *only* real reason to get this card. If you don’t earn and use the voucher, you are almost guaranteed to lose money.

Drawback 2: The EXTREMELY High Interest Rate (APR)

Let’s be blunt: the 31.0% purchase rate is dangerously high. This card is NOT for people who carry a balance on their credit card. Ever. The interest charges will wipe out the value of any Avios you earn in a matter of weeks. This card *must* be paid in full every single month via Direct Debit. If you sometimes carry a balance, this card is not for you.

Drawback 3: The 2.99% Foreign Transaction Fee

This is the card’s biggest contradiction. It’s a premium *travel card* that *penalises you* for using it abroad. That 2.99% fee means you’ll pay an extra £2.99 for every £100 you spend on holiday. If you’re a frequent traveller, you should carry a separate, 0% foreign-fee card (like a Halifax Clarity or a fintech card) for your spending when you’re actually on your trip.

Drawback 4: The £10,000 Companion Voucher Spend

The Companion Voucher isn’t “free.” You have to channel £10,000 of spending through this card in a year to get it. For high spenders, this is easy. For others, it might mean moving all your household bills and spending onto one card, which requires discipline. If your annual card spend is closer to £5,000, you will *never* get the main benefit.

Drawback 5: Amex Acceptance

While Amex acceptance in the UK is excellent (it’s taken at most major supermarkets, petrol stations, and online stores), it’s still not 100% universal like Visa or Mastercard. You will find that some smaller independent pubs, shops, or local takeaways don’t accept it. You will always need to carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Who Can Apply for This Card?

American Express is a premium lender and their criteria reflect that. You’ll need a good credit history.

You MUST:

• Be 18 years old or over.
• Be a permanent UK resident.
• Have a UK bank or building society account.
• Have no history of bad debt.

You SHOULD:

• Have a good-to-excellent credit history. Amex does not state a minimum income, but you will need to show a stable income and a history of responsible borrowing to be approved.
• Check the **Welcome Bonus 24-month rule**. To repeat: you will not get the 25,000 bonus Avios if you have had a personal BA Amex card (including the free one) in the past 24 months.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided this card is for you, here is the simple application process.

1. Check Your Eligibility: First, double-check the 24-month bonus rule. If you’re clear, move to step 2.
2. Gather Your Details: You will need your personal details, UK address history for the last 3 years, your annual income, and your UK bank account details (sort code & account number).
3. Go to the Amex Site & Start: Use the button below to go to the official Amex landing page. On that page, you will click the main “Apply Now” button.
   VISIT THE CARD SITE

   

4. Read the “About this Card” Pop-up: This is a key step. As you’ve noted, a pop-up window will appear with important pre-contract information (like the £35k income requirement and the 24-month rule). You must read this and then click the “Get Started” button at the bottom to proceed.
5. Complete the Application Form: Once you click “Get Started”, the main application form will appear (the one starting with “Please tell us about yourself”). This is where you’ll enter the personal and financial details you gathered in Step 2.
6. Get Your Decision: Amex often gives a decision in as little as 60 seconds. If not, they may need a few days to review your details. Once approved, your card will arrive in the post within 7-10 working days.

The BA Amex Premium Plus vs. Its Alternatives

This card doesn’t exist in a vacuum. How does it compare?

Alternative 1: The British Airways Amex (Free Card)

This is the most direct competitor.

Pros: It costs £0 per year. This is a huge saving.

Cons: The perks are watered down.

• You only earn 1 Avios per £1 (vs. 1.5).
• You must spend £12,000 to get the Companion Voucher (vs. £10,000).
• The free card’s Companion Voucher is only valid for 12 months (vs. 24 months).

Verdict: The free card is for lower spenders, or for those who want to earn Avios without the £250 gamble. The Premium Plus card is mathematically better if you spend over £10,000 and will use the 2-year voucher for a long-haul trip.

Alternative 2: A 0% Foreign Fee Travel Card (e.g., Halifax Clarity)

If your main goal is *spending money abroad* without fees.

Pros: It has 0% foreign transaction fees. You can use it anywhere in the world and not pay the 2.99% markup.

Cons: It offers zero rewards. No Avios, no points, no vouchers.

Verdict: These cards serve different purposes. The smart traveller uses *both*: the BA Amex Premium Plus for all UK spending to earn Avios, and a 0% FX fee card for all spending once they are on holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the £250 annual fee on the BA Amex Premium Plus worth it?

It is only worth it if you *know* you will spend over £10,000 in a year to earn the Companion Voucher, AND you will use that voucher on a flight (ideally long-haul or in Business Class) within its 24-month validity. As we calculated, spending alone is not enough to justify the fee; it’s all about the voucher.

2. What is a Companion Voucher, really?

It’s a “Buy One Get One Free” voucher for reward flights. You “pay” for the first ticket using your Avios, and your companion’s Avios “price” is reduced to zero. You MUST pay all taxes and carrier charges for *both* passengers, which can be very high. For example, expect to pay £700-£900 *per person* in taxes for a peak-time return flight to New York in Business Class.

3. How many Avios do I actually need for a flight?

As a guide, an off-peak return flight in Economy from London can be around 9,000 Avios for Paris/Amsterdam, 15,000 for Lisbon, or 26,000 for Dubai. The 25,000 welcome bonus is a significant start (but remember to budget for the taxes!).

4. Can I use this card to withdraw cash?

You can, but you absolutely should not. You will be charged a high fee (see the table) and an even higher interest rate of 39.7% APR *from the second you take the money out*. It’s one of the most expensive ways to get cash.

5. What is the 24-month bonus rule?

You cannot get the 25,000 Avios welcome bonus if you have held *any* personal British Airways Amex card (either the free one or this one) in the previous 24 months. If you have, you can still get the card, but you will not receive the bonus Avios.

6. Is American Express accepted everywhere in the UK?

Acceptance is very good. All major supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl), petrol stations, restaurants, and online retailers accept Amex. However, you will find some smaller, independent businesses (like a local pub or corner shop) that only take Visa or Mastercard. It’s wise to carry a backup.

Our Final Verdict: Is This the Card for You?

The British Airways Amex Premium Plus Card is a specialist card. It is one of the best travel reward cards in the UK for the right person, and a very expensive mistake for the wrong one.

This card is ideal for you if:

• You are a high spender (you easily spend over £10,000 on a card per year).
• You are a loyal British Airways flyer and live in the UK.
• You will 100% use the Companion Voucher (ideally for a long-haul or Business Class trip) and can afford the high taxes.
• You are financially disciplined and will pay your balance **in full** every single month via Direct Debit.

This card is NOT for you if:

• You ever carry a balance on your credit card (the 31.0% APR will destroy any rewards).
• You spend less than £10,000 a year on a card (you won’t get the main perk, and the £250 fee is wasted).
• You are looking for a card to use on holiday (the 2.99% foreign fee is a deal-breaker).
• You are not loyal to BA and prefer to fly with other airlines.
• You have a poor credit history or have had a BA Amex in the last 24 months (you won’t get the bonus).