Barclaycard Avios credit card review: fees, features and more

Shopping around for a new credit card? Perhaps you have a big purchase coming up and need to spread the cost, or simply need a new everyday card for spending.

In this guide, we’ll be putting the Barclaycard Avios credit card under the microscope. It’s a reward card aimed at travellers, but is it the right option for you? Find out below, as we look at everything from rewards and interest rates to fees and eligibility requirements.

We’ll also take a look at how Barclays credit cards work abroad.

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to spend outside the UK, check out the Wise card. It’s not a credit card, but offers low-cost spending and cash withdrawals in 150+ countries worldwide, with no foreign transaction fees*.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

What is the Barclaycard Avios credit card?

The Barclaycard Avios credit card is a rewards card, which gives you Avios when you spend.

Avios is the reward currency of British Airlines (BA). It can be used to purchase flights and seat upgrades on flights, as well as hotels, car hire and other BA services.

Otherwise, the card works like an ordinary credit card, where you’ll get a set credit limit and will pay interest on spending.

See also: Barclaycard Avios Plus review

How do I collect Avios?

Spend with your Barclaycard Avios credit card and you’ll receive 1 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible transactions.¹ Most spending is considered eligible for earning Avios, but not:²

• Balance transfers and money transfers
• Cash withdrawals
• Wire transfers
• Buying currency
• Purchases that are cancelled or later returned.

You’ll also get Avios as a welcome bonus when you sign up for the card and spend £1,000 within the first three months. This is usually 5,000 Avios, but Barclays often has offers which double the amount of welcome bonus you’ll receive as a new customer.¹

How to redeem Avios

Now, what can you spend your Avios on? And crucially, how much are Avios worth?

You can use Avios for discounts on the following:¹

• Flights
• Flight upgrades (such as cabin upgrades)
• Hotel stays
• Car hire.

As for how much Avios is worth, Barclays offers some examples of how you can use your Avios to redeem rewards.

The bank says you could collect 25,000 Avios by spending £20,000 on your credit card within a year. With this, you could get a peak economy return flight from London to Milan (with an outlay of just an extra £1).¹

Also, if you spend £20,000 within a year, you’ll get a choice between a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher or a bonus 7,000 Avios.¹

Barclaycard Avios credit card interest rates and fees

Now, let’s look at how much it’ll cost you to have and use a Barclaycard Avios credit card.

Annual fee

The good news is that there’s no annual or monthly fee to worry about with this card.¹

Interest rates

The Barclaycard Avios credit card has an interest rate of 29.9% APR (variable) representative. This is based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200.¹

Fees for using the credit card

Here’s a quick look at the main fees associated with the Barclaycard Avios credit card:¹

Type	Fee
Annual fee	None
Cash fee (e.g. ATM withdrawals or gambling transactions)	2.99%, minimum £2.99
Overseas transactions	2.99% non-Sterling purchase fee
Late payments	£12

Can I use the Barclaycard Avios credit card abroad?

Yes, you can use your Barclaycard Avios card abroad - it should work everywhere Mastercard is accepted. You’ll also collect Avios on qualifying purchases.

However, it’s important to remember that you’ll pay a 2.99% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made in any currency other than GBP.¹ It can also be very expensive to withdraw cash using your credit card, whether in the UK or abroad.

How to apply for the Barclaycard Avios credit card

Like the sound of Barclaycard Avios? Below is all the info you need to check your eligibility and apply.

Eligibility requirements

The Barclaycard Avios credit card is available for people who:¹

• Are at least 21 years old
• Earn at least £20,000 a year
• Always make payments on time and have at least 4 years experience managing credit
• Have been a permanent UK resident for at least 2 years
• Haven’t been declared bankrupt or have any IVAs/CCJs in the last 6 years.

Helpfully, Barclays lets you check your eligibility for the card at the start of the application, with no impact on your credit score. You can find out if you’re likely to be approved for this card, and what credit limit you could get.

What will I need?

To apply for a credit card in the UK, you’ll usually need the following:¹

• Your address details for the last 2 years
• Contact details such as your phone number and email address
• Details of your income and employment
• Your bank account details
• Valid photo ID (if you’re a new customer)
• Details of your usual monthly outgoings.

If you already have a British Airways Executive Club account, you’ll need to provide your membership number. If not, an account will be set up for you if your credit card application is successful.

How to apply - step-by-step

Once you’ve checked your eligibility and have your documents ready, here’s how to apply for your card:

1. Go to the Barclaycard Avios credit card page on the bank’s website
2. Click ‘Apply now’ and read all the terms and conditions carefully
3. Enter your details and follow the on-screen instructions
4. Check and submit your application.

You should get a decision on your application in just 1 minute.¹

See also: Barclaycard Avios Plus review

Spend worldwide with the Wise debit card

If the fees for using a credit card abroad are off putting, consider an alternative solution for spending overseas.

It’s not a credit card, but the Wise card is the perfect low-cost solution for travellers, holidaymakers and expats.

It’s the perfect travel companion, as it’s contactless, works worldwide and is compatible with mobile wallets. Best of all, it has no foreign transaction fees.

Your Wise card can be used for spending and cash withdrawals in a whopping 40+ currencies, in 150+ countries. This means that there’s no need for separate cards for multi-destination trips - you can do it all with just the one card.

Here are all the advantages at-a-glance:

• Open a Wise account onlinein just a few clicks
• Get a Wise debit card for a one-time cost of just £7
• No monthly fees
• No foreign transaction fees*
• Automatically converts currency at mid-market exchange rates plus a small upfront conversion fee*
• Works worldwide, wherever Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
• Withdraw up to £200 a month (max. 2 withdrawals) for free (Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks). Fee of 1.75% + 0.50 for withdrawals over this limit.*

You can manage your card and account in the handy Wise app, wherever you are in the world. This includes options to freeze your card if you lose it.

Learn more about the Wise card 💳

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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And that’s it - a complete Barclaycard Avios review covering all the essentials, including rewards, fees, interest rates and how to apply. After reading this, you should be all set to work out if it’s the right option for you.

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Sources used:

1. Barclaycard - Barclaycard Avios Card
2. Barclaycard - Barclaycard and Avios

Sources last checked on date: 16-Aug-2024