Bits: new HfP IT set-up, HfP reader wins 1 million Avios!, Charles Tyrwhitt Avios offer

News in brief:

We’re back in business ….

…. after a day off to finalise our IT server move.  Everything has gone to plan, I’m pleased to say.  Page load times have fallen sharply and we have hopefully seen the back of the ‘503’ errors.

I need to thank Neil Barrett for the huge amount of work he has done over the last week.   This involved rebuilding HfP from scratch, rather than just copying the old files across, to allow us to ditch some of the issues from six years of messing about with the old underlying WordPress database.  We also put in some overdue security improvements, with SSL to follow in a few days.

Neil is a regular HfP reader but was actually recommended to me by another reader off the back of my request for support a couple of weeks ago.  I bribed Neil with the promise of a plug on HfP if he delivered everything he promised, and he has, so here it is.  He has been very easy to work with and I intend to keep using him for IT work on the site.

Neil is an IT consultant working in web technology for over 20 years and with a particular emphasis on the troubleshooting, functionality building and security of websites.   You can get in touch with him here. As well as his bespoke consultancy services, Neil has run Enbecom since 2002 providing domains, hosting, security and marketing for websites – the more ‘off-the-shelf’ types of services.

As a gesture for HFP readers, Neil has offered 10% off domains, web hosting, SSL and marketing packages bought through the Enbecom site until 31st December 2018, including any monthly or annual renewal payments which are made before then.   Just use this discount code at checkout: HFPREADER2018.

HfP readers wins 1 million Avios!

Reader Robert was the winner of 1 million Avios in a competition that Iberia Plus was running in conjunction with Avis.  This was discussed in the HfP comments although I never mentioned it in an article as it was only for Spanish rentals.

Avis has been giving away 1 million Avios per day from 1st to 10th December. 

Earn Avios in the Charles Tyrwhitt shirt and tie sale

If you are coming to the Head for Points Christmas party on Tuesday, you will receive a very generous goody bag gift courtesy of Charles Tyrwhitt.  The company has also kindly donated a business suit as one of our raffle prizes.

The company has already launched its Winter sale, with shirts from £19.99. You will also receive 4 Avios per £1 spent, either online or in-store – just give your BA Executive Club number to the cashier.  Full details of the sale are here, details of the Avios partnership are here.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous 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:

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

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

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

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

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

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

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

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

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

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

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

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

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

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.