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.’

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – December 2021 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit or charge card, here are our November 2021 recommendations based on the current sign-up bonus. 

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the top current deals:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee 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 Gold

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

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points sign-up bonus and a long list of travel benefits Read our full review

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

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

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

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:

Barclaycard Select Cashback Credit Card

1% cashback and no annual fee Read our full review