From today until 21 February 2023, shoppers approved for the British Airways American Express Premium Plus credit card can collect up to 35,000 bonus Avios.

This is up from the usual 25,000 Avios sign-up bonus. Amex said the boost in rewards could equal an off-peak business class return flight from London to Europe, such as Amsterdam, Geneva or Milan (£1 taxes, fees and other charges).

You’ll need to meet certain criteria, such as spending £3,000 in the first three months of card membership, and you can’t have held any BA Amex card products in the past 24 months.

The credit card comes with a £250 annual fee, and has a representative APR of 107.7% APR variable and a 28.1% variable purchase rate.

With the British Airways American Express Premium Plus, you can collect 1.5 Avios on every £1 spent.

However, purchases made with British Airways or British Airways Holidays can net you three Avios for every £1 spent. Avios can be put towards booking hotel and flights for destinations worldwide.

For big spenders – those who notch up £10,000 in each membership year – you’ll receive a Companion Voucher allowing you to take someone with you in the same flight and cabin. Alternatively, for solo travellers, you can get a 50% discount on the Avios price you pay for your flight.

Avios boost for existing card holders

Existing card holders can also get in on the deal. Here, for the same limited time, you can earn 12,000 Avios, up from the usual 9,000 under the refer a friend scheme.

Referred friends could now collect 36,000 bonus Avios – if they are approved as a new card member, and spend £3,000 in the first three months – up from the usual 26,000 Avios.

According to Rob Burgess of frequent flyer website, Headforpoints, this is the first increased bonus it has seen on the card since last January.

“If you don’t apply now you could well have to wait another year to see a special offer,” he added.

Maggie Boyle, vice president, American Express, said: “This limited time offer provides new and existing British Airways American Express Premium Plus card members with an opportunity to kick start the New Year with increased Avios as they plan their 2023 travels.

“This is particularly timely, as research from Amex shows that more than two fifths (41%) of Brits say they will collect points or cashback when they book their 2023 travels by spending on a card that earns them rewards, and a further three in ten (30%) say they will use points or vouchers to save money on their holidays.”