Get a 4,500 Avios refer-a-friend bonus on the Lloyds Avios Rewards cards

Ever since Lloyds Bank relaunched its Avios cards as the Avios Rewards and Premier Avios Rewards cards last year, there has never been a sign-up bonus.

This may account for the fairly muted reaction that the cards have amongst the Head for Points community.

The Lloyds Avios cards also have to compete with the British Airways American Express cards.  As the 2-4-1 voucher given by the BA Amex cards is the most generous perk of ANY British loyalty credit card Lloyds was always going to struggle.

In summary:

The Lloyds Avios Rewards card has a £24 annual fee and earns 1.25 Avios per £1 on the Amex and a laughable 0.25 Avios per £1 on the MasterCard.  The APR is 22.7% variable including the £24 fee based on a £1,200 credit limit.

The Lloyds Premier Avios Rewards card has a £150 annual fee and earns 1.5 Avios per £1 on the Amex and a laughable 0.3 Avios per £1 on the MasterCard.  The APR is 50.8% variable including the £150 fee based on a £1,200 credit limit.

However, these cards have some very positive features which are often overlooked:

These cards charge NO foreign exchange fees.  And, amazingly, you still earn Avios points on your foreign spend.  Anything you buy abroad on your Lloyds Avios Rewards card is 2.99% cheaper than buying it on your BA Amex or 99% of other UK credit and debit cards.  Even the handful of other cards with no FX fees (Post Office, Halifax Clarity) do not give any rewards, albeit both of those cards are free.

The upgrade vouchers earned on these cards are a decent deal for a solo traveller.  The BA Amex 2-4-1 voucher may be great value but it is also pretty useless if you prefer to travel by yourself.  The Lloyds upgrade voucher lets you upgrade one return Avios redemption flight by one class (excluding Club World to First).  I explained here how it works.

There has never been a sign-up bonus for these cards. However, Lloyds has introduced a refer-a-friend scheme.

If you are referred by another cardholder, you will receive 4,500 Avios points.  The person who refers you will also receive 4,500 Avios, up to a maximum of 20 referrals.

If you would like a referral, please email me at rob at headforpoints.com and I will arrange it.

Note that ‘Customers who hold or have previously held a Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards Credit Card Account will not be eligible for the 4500 Bonus Avios offer.’

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review