British Airways has unveiled a number of changes to its three American Express-branded credit cards.
The fee-free British Airways American Express Credit Card is offering new cardholders (approved by November 2, 2021) a 10,000 Avios welcome bonus (normally 5,000 Avios) when they spend at least £1,000 in the first three months.
This rises to 40,000 welcome Avios (normally 25,000) for new British Airways American Express Premium Plus cardholders approved by November 2, when they spend £3,000 in the first three months. This card carries an annual fee, which is increasing from £195 to £250.
Note that existing Executive Club members may have received exclusive offers which differ from the above – for instance I received an email this week offering welcome bonuses of 12,000 and 45,000 for the fee-free and Premium cards respectively, valid for cardholders approved by September 30, 2021.
In addition the annual spending requirement to receive a Companion Voucher with the fee-free British Airways American Express Credit Card has been reduced from £20,000 to £12,000. But new vouchers earned from September 1, 2021 can only be used in Euro Traveller or World Traveller cabins.
This has been sold as a new benefit for Premium cardholders, as they will now enjoy improved Club World redemption seat availability for Companion Voucher bookings (given that fee-free cardholders can no longer access this cabin with their vouchers).
Cardholders of either of the two cards will also no longer be required to use their Companion Voucher for a journey starting in the United Kingdom.
The cards themselves have also been given a makeover, with the 15-digit card number having been moved to the back of the cards.
Meanwhile the British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card – aimed at small business owners – has also been revamped, with a new tiered Avios Annual Bonus (replacing the existing On Business Annual Bonus), giving cardholders 10,000 bonus Avios for every £20,000 they spend, up to a maximum of 30,000 bonus Avios annually.
In addition new cardholders approved by November 2, 2021 will earn 60,000 Avios when they spend £5,000 in the first three months. This card also carries an annual fee of £250.
Full details and terms and conditions for all three cards, including representative APRs, Avios earning rates and other benefits including supplementary cards and travel accident protection, can be seen here.