American Express Rewards Credit Card vs Barclaycard Avios
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

Barclaycard Avios wins 1-0. Avios on everyday spend with no monthly fee. American Express Rewards Credit Card is still the right call if a free way into membership rewards points in the uk..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | American Express Rewards Credit Card | Barclaycard Avios |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 1% (general) | = 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = N/A | = N/A |
| Welcome bonus | = 10,000 Membership Rewards points after £2,000 spend in three months | = 5,000 Avios after £1,000 spend in three months, for new Barclaycard customers |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = £15,000 | = Not verified |
| Min credit score | = N/A | = N/A |
| Editorial rating | · 4/5 | 4.1/5 |
Benefits compared
American Express Rewards Credit Card
- 1 Membership Rewards point for every £1 spent
- No annual fee
Barclaycard Avios
- 1 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible purchases
- No monthly fee
- Spend £20,000 in 12 months to choose a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher
FAQ
›American Express Rewards Credit Card vs Barclaycard Avios: which is better?
Barclaycard Avios wins on more dimensions (1 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use American Express Rewards Credit Card for its best categories, Barclaycard Avios for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
American Express Rewards Credit Card: 10,000 Membership Rewards points after £2,000 spend in three months. Barclaycard Avios: 5,000 Avios after £1,000 spend in three months, for new Barclaycard customers.