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? – January 2023 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 February 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:

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 21st February 2023, the sign-up bonus on the British Airways Premium Plus American Express card is increased to 35,000 Avios from 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

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:

SPECIAL OFFER: Capital On Tap has increased its sign-up bonus to points worth 30,000 Avios if you apply by 4th February. This is exclusive to Head for Points readers. Click here to apply.

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending.