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.

americanexpress.com, ba.com