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

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.  When Robert turned up to collect his car in Spain on Friday, he was presented with this:

…… a cheque for 1 million Avios as the daily winner.  Well done Robert.

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.

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

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

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

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

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

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, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

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

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus:

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

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

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)