While American Express is the older, more established Avios-collecting credit card provider, many travellers in the UK choose a Barclaycard Avios credit card for everyday purchases. It comes with a major perk called the Upgrade Voucher, Barclaycard’s version of the Amex Companion Voucher.
The Upgrade Voucher can deliver terrific value for solo travellers. You’re not juggling bookings for multiple people, so you can channel all your resources into a single, superior cabin experience.
If you’re wondering which Barclaycard Avios credit card to choose, how to earn the voucher, and how to maximise its benefits, here’s everything you need to know:
Which Barclaycard Avios Credit Cards Are Available?
Barclaycard Avios Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: £0
- Avios Earning Rate: 1 Avios per £1 spent on eligible purchases
- Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders: 5,000 Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first three months
- Upgrade Voucher Spend Target: £20,000 within 12 months
Barclaycard Avios Plus Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: £20
- Avios Earning Rate: 1.5 Avios per £1 spent on eligible purchases
- Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders: 25,000 Avios if you spend £3,000 in the first three months
- Upgrade Voucher Spend Target: £10,000 within 12 months
Both cards link to your BA frequent flyer programme, the British Airways Club. Once your account is set up, every purchase you make with your Barclaycard Avios credit card will earn Avios, which get automatically transferred to your BA Club balance. Hit your annual spending goal, and you’ll receive either a Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher or if you choose, the alternative of 7,000 bonus Avios.
What is a Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher?
The Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher lets you move up by one cabin class on a British Airways reward flight, for example:
- From Economy (Euro Traveller) to Business Class (Club Europe)
- From Economy (World Traveller) to Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus)
- From Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) to Business Class (Club World)
You cannot use your voucher to upgrade from Business Class to the First cabin.
While the Voucher is available to Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus cardholders, you must meet one condition: You have to spend a specific amount annually to be eligible, which we’ve specified above.
Though it’s called the “Upgrade Voucher,” in practice, you’re effectively booking the higher cabin and using the voucher to reduce the Avios price to that of the next-lower cabin. Due to this, British Airways reward seats need to be available in the higher cabin class you want to book, not in the lower cabin class. Taxes and fees are also always based on the higher cabin, since that’s the seat you actually occupy. This can be a major money-saver on long-haul routes, especially overnight flights, where lie-flat beds, lounge access, and dedicated check-in can improve your overall travel experience.
How to Earn a Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher
To get your Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher, you need to:
- Hold either the fee-free Barclaycard Avios card (spend target: £20,000) or the Barclaycard Avios Plus card (spend target: £10,000).
- Spend the required amount within your 12-month card anniversary window.
- Remain an active British Airways Club member.
Your voucher will then appear in your BA Club account within five working days and be ready for redemption. It’s valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
Best Use of an Upgrade Voucher for a Solo Traveller
As a solo flyer, you’re free from coordinating friends, family, or partners when booking a British Airways reward flight. That means you can focus purely on the highest-value redemption. With that in mind, here are our top tips to make the most of your Upgrade Voucher:
Upgrade from Premium Economy to Business Class for the Best Value
The Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher bumps you by one cabin, so Premium Economy to Business Class tends to provide the biggest ‘leap’ in comfort and Avios savings. Business Class (Club World) has a lie-flat bed, more personal space, lounge access, priority boarding, and higher baggage allowances. Remember that you pay the taxes and fees of the cabin you’re actually flying in (i.e., Business), but you only pay the Avios cost of the next-lower class (i.e., Premium Economy).
Choose the Upgrade Voucher instead of 7,000 Avios in Most Cases
Barclays offers cardholders a choice once they hit the spending target:
- Option A: Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher
- Option B: 7,000 Avios bonus
To keep things simple, use the approximate valuation of 1p per Avios. That way, the 7,000 Avios are worth around £70. For many travellers, especially those considering long-haul Business Class, the Upgrade Voucher generally yields a bigger saving than £70. For example, an off-peak Premium Economy seat from London to Cancun could be 47,500 Avios versus 90,000 for Business. In that situation, the Avios savings from using an Upgrade Voucher is a lot more than 7,000.
However, it might make sense to go for the 7,000 Avios points in some cases. These include when:
- You only ever fly short-haul routes with minimal cabin cost differences.
- You’re exactly 7,000 Avios short of a specific Business Class redemption you want soon (and you can’t upgrade to First anyway using this voucher).
- You’re unlikely to travel long haul or use the voucher within two years.
However, for most solo travellers looking to experience Business Class on a British Airways reward flight, the Voucher is worth a lot more than the 7,000 Avios top-up.
Choose Long-Haul Redemptions for the Best Experience
If you’re comfortable taking a longer trip alone, long-haul is where you’ll get the most out of your Barclaycard Avios, especially on overnight flights. The combination of a lie-flat bed, upgraded food and beverage service, and access to premium lounges really sets the tone for a memorable journey. When your flight is overnight, for example from London to Bangkok, London to Singapore, or London to Shanghai, having a flatbed can make a huge difference in how rested you feel upon arrival. For some travellers, that upgrade alone is worth the voucher.
Thus, you get the best value on longer flights. Routes such as London to Santiago (~14 hours), Buenos Aires (~13 hours), or Mauritius (~11.5 hours) give you plenty of time to enjoy the experience. The more time you spend in the air, the more “bang for your buck” you’ll get from the upgrade.
However, the Upgrade Voucher can still improve a shorter flight even if you’re not planning a long-haul trip. It’s basically a free upgrade, so you get a better cabin class for your reward seat booking. Upgrading from Economy (Euro Traveller) to Business Class (Club Europe) gives perks like:
- Lounge access
- A free middle seat for more elbow room
- Priority boarding
- Extra baggage allowance
- Complimentary food and drinks
For the most comfort, target longer short-haul routes such as London to Greece, Turkey, or Egypt, or pick overnight or early/late flights where additional space is a real plus.
Final Verdict
The Barclaycard Avios credit card range may not be as time-honoured as Amex for Avios. Still, it stands firmly on its merits, especially for solo travellers who can fully exploit the Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher. Moving from Premium Economy to Business Class on a long-haul route means you can stretch out with a duvet and pillow while you skip the typical Avios cost for Business Class seats.
Even if you’re eyeing short-haul routes, don’t overlook the upgrade potential. A shorter flight in a higher cabin can be a welcome treat, with lounge access and priority privileges. The key is to do the math: Will you gain more from the voucher or from taking the 7,000 Avios bonus? In most cases, if you’re aiming for an immersive Business Class experience, the voucher wins hands-down. Whichever choice you make, you’re effectively improving your travel via the BA frequent flyer programme.
