Short answer: If you want simple, reliable value on day-to-day spending with no annual fee, the American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday is hard to beat. If you travel regularly (especially with BA) and can extract strong value from Avios and a Companion Voucher, the British Airways American Express Premium Plus can eclipse the fee—with planning.
At a glance: key differences
| Feature | Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday | BA Amex Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | £250 |
| Welcome offer | 5% cashback on up to £100 in first 3 months | 25,000 Avios after £3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Ongoing earn | Up to 1% cashback (tiered by annual spend) | 1.5 Avios/£1 (3 Avios/£1 with BA) |
| Flagship perk | Simple cashback paid annually | Companion Voucher after £10,000 annual spend |
| Foreign transaction fees | Standard Amex FX fees likely apply | No foreign transaction fees |
| Best for | Everyday spenders who prefer cash back and £0 fee | Frequent flyers who can plan redemptions and offset the fee |
Who should pick the Platinum Cashback Everyday?
If you want a straightforward, low-maintenance card that rewards your supermarket shops, petrol, and online purchases without faff, this card fits the brief. The introductory 5% cashback (capped at £100) delivers a quick early win, and ongoing earn of up to 1% keeps value coming through the year. There is no annual fee, so you are never “chasing” rewards just to cover a fixed cost.
Watch-outs: to unlock the full 1% earn rate you’ll need to hit a higher annual spend threshold; and whilst Amex acceptance keeps improving, it’s still worth keeping a Visa/Mastercard backup for smaller merchants.
Who should pick the BA Amex Premium Plus?
This is a traveller’s card. You’ll collect 1.5 Avios per £1 on almost everything and 3 Avios per £1 on British Airways purchases. The headline act is the Companion Voucher after £10,000 spend in your card year—ideal for turning a long-haul redemption into exceptional value (taxes and fees still apply). Add no foreign transaction fees and travel protections and you’ve got a compelling flight companion.
Watch-outs: the £250 annual fee requires you to plan and redeem well. Reward seat availability can be tighter during peaks, so flexibility boosts value. If your travel is occasional or you dislike planning around reward inventory, value can erode.
Cashback vs Avios: what’s the real-world value?
Cashback is guaranteed, simple, and liquid—you can apply it against your statement without worrying about routes or inventory. The ceiling is lower, but certainty is high.
Avios is leveraged value: used wisely (especially long-haul premium cabins with the Companion Voucher), it can far outperform a 1% cashback rate. However, it demands know-how (off-peak dates, early booking), and some tolerance for taxes/fees on BA redemptions. If you travel often and you’re organised, the upside is significant; if not, cashback’s simplicity may be the smarter fit.
Cost–benefit snapshots
Light spender, domestic focus
- Infrequent travel, mostly UK spend
- Wants value without effort or fees
- Winner: Platinum Cashback Everyday
Frequent flyer, flexible dates
- Regular BA travel; can plan redemptions
- Hits £10k/year for Companion Voucher
- Winner: BA Amex Premium Plus
Mixed profile, occasional trips
- Some holidays abroad, but not every year
- Aversion to fees and complex programmes
- Likely winner: Platinum Cashback Everyday (unless a big BA trip is planned within 12–18 months)
Pros & cons
Platinum Cashback Everyday
- Pros: £0 annual fee; simple value; strong intro cashback; good for everyday spend.
- Cons: tiered earn (best rate requires higher annual spend); Amex acceptance varies; no travel-specific perks.
BA Amex Premium Plus
- Pros: high Avios earn—especially with BA; Companion Voucher after £10k; no FX fees; useful travel protections.
- Cons: £250 fee; needs planning and flexibility; reward seat availability can be tight.
Eligibility, application & credit considerations
Both cards are aimed at UK residents over 18 with a good credit profile. American Express offers an eligibility checker that won’t affect your credit score—use it before applying. Expect fast decisions and typical card delivery in about a week.
Verdict: which card wins for you?
If you rarely fly or prefer guaranteed value, choose Platinum Cashback Everyday. If you travel frequently and will redeem smartly—especially long-haul in premium cabins—then BA Amex Premium Plus can be spectacular value despite the fee. Many readers carry both: cashback for general acceptance and everyday value, Avios for planned travel and BA-centric spending.
Next steps
- Check your likely acceptance with Amex’s eligibility tool.
- Estimate your 12-month spend and travel plans.
- Pick the card that aligns with your habits—then review annually.
FAQs
Is the BA Amex Premium Plus fee worth it?
It can be—if you’ll earn and redeem enough Avios and use the Companion Voucher. Travellers who redeem long-haul or premium cabins often offset the annual fee comfortably.
Will I get full 1% cashback on Platinum Cashback Everyday automatically?
No—the earn rate is tiered by annual spend, with the top rate unlocked above a higher threshold. It still offers strong value with zero annual fee.
Do both cards charge foreign transaction fees?
The BA Amex Premium Plus has no foreign transaction fees. The Cashback Everyday is a domestic everyday card; standard Amex FX fees are likely to apply.
Can I hold both cards?
Yes—many do. Use Cashback Everyday for simple, guaranteed value; use Premium Plus when you can exploit BA earn rates and Avios redemptions.
Apply for Platinum Cashback Everyday
Apply for BA Amex Premium Plus
Disclosure: Offers and terms can change. Always confirm details on the official American Express UK site before applying.