British Airways Card is offering 85,000 points after spending $5000 in 3 months with a $95 annual fee.. That's up 10,000 points over their standard offer of 75,000 points after spending $5000 in 3 months.
British Airways Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you’re looking for a co-branded airline card, the British Airways Visa Signature card provides flexibility by earning Avios. Avios can be transferred to four other airlines, and British Airways (BA) is part of the oneworld Alliance, meaning you can also use Avios on a variety of airlines worldwide. The 75,000-mile sign-up bonus offered by this card can open up many travel options. Plus, you can transfer Chase and American Express points to Avios, further increasing your flexibility.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you’re looking to start earning British Airways Avios, the British Airways Visa Signature card can be a strong option. It combines a substantial sign-up bonus with perks designed to help you save on taxes and fees when booking award flights. Here are some key reasons why this card might appeal to you:
- Strong Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $5,000 in purchases. This provides a substantial amount of Avios right from the start.
- Annual Fee: The $95 annual fee may be worthwhile if you can take advantage of the card’s travel perks, although it’s important to consider whether you’ll continue to benefit from those perks in the long run.
- Statement Credits: Get up to $600 per year in statement credits to offset taxes, fees, and surcharges on British Airways reward flights when you pay with your card. Although this credit helps reduce costs, it may not cover all extra fees—especially if you book directly through British Airways.
Beyond these highlights, the British Airways Visa Signature card also offers the opportunity to earn a Travel Together Ticket. After you spend $30,000 in one year, you receive a ticket valid for two years. You can redeem it for a companion traveling on the same reward flight, or use it for a 50% discount on Avios when booking a solo reward flight. While spending $30,000 in a year is significant, this perk can be valuable if you plan to fly with British Airways often.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be ideal for you if:
- You primarily want to fly from the U.S. to Europe and find the taxes, fees, and surcharges too expensive, even with the credit.
- You don’t want to search various airline partners for lower fees and prefer a simpler option.
What to Know About British Airway Executive Avios
The greatest value when using Avios for rewards travel is the ability to transfer them to one of their many partners
- American Airlines isn’t a transfer partner of any major credit card rewards program, but you can use Avios to book an AA flight, even a domestic one in the US
- By tapping into their extensive transfer partner network, you can avoid BA’s hefty surcharges, which is the program’s biggest pain point
- Using Avios for short haul flights, anywhere in the world BA or a partner flies, offers tremendous value with its distance based award chart
- Executive Club partners with Chase and Amex, adding to the value of the program
How The British Airways Credit Card Fits In The British Airway Executive Avios Ecosystem
This is the only co-branded British Airways card, but if you don’t want an airline-specific card and still want to use Avios, you can transfer both Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards to Avios. You might find it worthwhile to explore other Chase or Amex cards before going for an airline-specific option. The Iberia Visa Signature and the Aer Lingus Visa Signature cards also offer Avios, featuring similar sign-up bonuses and benefits. If you want Avios without being tied specifically to British Airways, those cards are worth considering as well.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85,000 | $5,000 | 1.0 ¢ | $25 | $95 |
$830
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Short haul flights that don't include London | 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
AWARD SYSTEM
OFFER PRIOR TO CURRENT SPECIAL
75,000 Bonus Points for
$5,000 spend ended Apr 2025
$5,000 spend ended Apr 2025
Spend Categories
Airfare - »
3X points
3¢ Per Dollar Spent
All Other - »
1X points
1¢ Per Dollar Spent
Hotels = »
2X points
2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Travel Credits »
Get back $200 per booking for taxes, fees and charges paid on a first class or business class ticket. And $100 on economy and premium economy
Get back $200 per booking for taxes, fees and charges paid on a first class or business class ticket. And $100 on economy and premium economy
Companion Pass »
Get a free companion pass good for two years when you spend at least $30,000 annually.
Get a free companion pass good for two years when you spend at least $30,000 annually.
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle. Any international rentals are covered by primary insurance when using this card. This benefit is excluded in Ireland, Israel and Jamaica.
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle. Any international rentals are covered by primary insurance when using this card. This benefit is excluded in Ireland, Israel and Jamaica.
Travel Insurance »
Travel Accident Insurance up to $250,000; lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person; baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for 3 days
Travel Accident Insurance up to $250,000; lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person; baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for 3 days
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Purchase Protection »
You're covered for new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
You're covered for new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty »
This card extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
This card extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends No
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System British Airway Executive Avios
Transfers In From
Amex Member Rewards
1:1 71% value retained
Capital One Miles
1:1 91% value retained
Chase Ultimate Rewards
1:1 63% value retained
IHG Rewards
5:1 33% value retained
Marriott Bonvoy
3:1 48% value retained
World of Hyatt
5:2 25% value retained
British Airways Application Rules
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Breaking Points
April 16, 2025
British Airways
September 16, 2024
Mini Points - October 2024
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $69/annual fee.
- Southwest Premier Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $99/annual fee.
- Southwest Priority Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $149/annual fee.
- British Airways - Signature Card - Earn 100,000 Avios after spending $7500 in 6 months, $95/annual fee.
May 9, 2024
Mini Points - May 2024
CHASE CARDS LIMITED TIME OFFERS - GET YOUR ULTIMATE REWARDS:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve - 75,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months - $550/annual fee.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred - 75,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months - $95/annual fee.
BRITISH AIRWAYS AVIOS OFFER:
- British Airways Visa - 80,000 avios after spending $5000 in 3 months - $95/annual fee.
July 2, 2021
British Airways Doubles it's Sign Up Offer
Right now you can earn 100,000 Avios sign up bonus after spending $5000 in 3 months with the British Airways Visa Signature card from Chase. That's double the standard offer of 50,000. This isn't listed as a "special offer" so, no telling how long this offer will be around.