Barclaycard announces the launch of new Barclaycard Avios credit cards

By Joy Dumasia

Barclaycard, one of the UK’s largest credit card providers, has partnered with Avios to launch two new credit cards that allow customers to collect Avios when making purchases, as well as provide a host of travel-related perks. With almost four in 10 Brits (36 per cent) citing travel as one of their top priorities in 2022, the new Barclaycard Avios cards can help make that a reality. 

The Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus cards are available to new Barclaycard customers. The Barclaycard Avios card carries no monthly fee and offers new customers 5,000 Avios when spending £1,000 in the first three months. Customers also collect one Avios for every £1 spent. 

The Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card (£20.00 fee per month) rewards new customers with 25,000 Avios when spending £3,000 or more within the first three months, the equivalent of a return flight to a European city such as Faro, Palma or Milan. In addition, customers collect 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent. Other benefits include an annual cabin upgrade voucher for reaching a specific spending milestone and Barclaycard’s Entertainment perks, which offer up to 10 per cent off pre-sale tickets, food, and drinks at selected venues and events with Barclaycard Entertainment. 

Powered by Mastercard, which millions of merchants worldwide accept, cardholders will also have access to Priceless.com, offering further benefits across entertainment, arts & culture, travel, shopping and health & wellbeing. With top-notch travel perks and access to rewards features from Barclaycard, Avios and Mastercard, the Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus cards are the ideal financial travel companions. 

Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus customers can track their Avios usage by downloading the Barclaycard App or logging on to their British Airways Executive Club account, where they can choose to save money on travel or enjoy a host of other travel-related perks, including the ability to use Avios towards flights, cabin upgrades, and hotels making trips more convenient and hassle-free. 

A new Barclays Premier current account holder opting to join Barclays Avios Rewards (£12 per month), in addition to taking out the new Barclaycard Avios Plus card (£20 per month) as a new customer, could earn over 80,000 Avios and two Cabin Upgrade Vouchers in the first year enough for a return flight to New York, Tokyo or Dubai. They would also receive £5 back into their current account each month for holding both products. 

As global travel continues to open back up after almost two years of restrictions, it’s clear that Brits can’t wait to get overseas once again, as recent Barclaycard research shows 16 per cent would be interested in taking out a credit card with travel benefits, as they plan to travel more in 2022 than in a typical year. 

The cards also go some way towards helping customers maximise the value they get from transactions. In fact, nearly half (46 per cent) of Brits say that, due to the rising cost of living, they want to make sure they are rewarded for their everyday spending. Furthermore, 44 per cent would be more likely to choose a credit card if it allowed them to earn loyalty points from their daily purchases. 

José Carvalho, Head of Consumer Products, Barclays, said: “With Brits itching to go on holiday after almost two years of restrictions, we’re delighted to be launching two new cards that will help customers get away more often, to see the people and places that matter most. As value-for-money continues to be front-of-mind in 2022, our partnership with IAG Loyalty will help customers maximise the value they get from their everyday spending, enhancing their overall travel experience and make that much-longed-for trip a reality.” 

Adam Daniels, CEO IAG Loyalty, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Barclaycard and offer our Avios rewards to many more consumers. As we all get back to doing more of what we love, exploring new countries cultures and travelling for pleasure, we believe the partnership will help Barclaycard’s customers have a better travel experience. We look forward to seeing all the new ways Barclaycard’s customers can take advantage of the opportunities Avios rewards provides, whether that’s taking a short weekend trip or planning that dream destination holiday.”