You’re looking at a UK-issued twin-pack credit card that pairs an American Express and a Mastercard on a single account. This setup aims to help you earn Avios across a wide range of merchants while keeping acceptance broad when you travel.

The product historically carried a low annual fee and a representative APR on a modest limit. It offered double Avios on the Amex for the first six months up to monthly caps, plus 0% foreign transaction fees and an annual flight upgrade voucher after a high spend threshold. These features appealed to frequent flyers who can channel spend to the Amex and use the Mastercard where Amex isn’t accepted.

Note: the original public review was marked out of date as of November 2025, so verify current terms and availability before you apply. The rest of this review will walk through core features, value drivers, and when this card might fit your travel and rewards goals.

Key Takeaways

  • Dual-brand account combines strong Amex earn with Mastercard acceptance.
  • 0% FX fees and Avios on overseas spend can boost travel value.
  • Low annual fee but check if the voucher spend target justifies it.
  • No large upfront bonus; value comes from ongoing earnings and perks.
  • Review is dated Nov 2025 — confirm live offers before applying.

Overview: What the Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards Card Is and Who It’s For

This card blends a British Airways-linked rewards scheme with a two-card setup so you can earn Avios while avoiding frequent acceptance gaps.

Note for U.S. readers: the product was UK-issued and typically required UK residency and a local credit profile. You’re unlikely to be eligible, and anecdotal acceptance even within the UK was sometimes inconsistent.

You’d pick this credit card if your goal is to accumulate airline-aligned points rather than generic cash back. The twin-pack combines an american express earning vehicle with a Mastercard backup on one statement. That helps when merchants don’t take Amex.

  • Who benefits: travellers who route spend to British Airways and Oneworld partners to hit redemption targets.
  • When it makes sense: if you travel to the UK for business or plan to test the ecosystem in the first year.
  • What to compare: BA-branded Amex products and Premium Plus options for companion vouchers or different upgrade perks.

Key Features at a Glance: Annual Fee, Card Pairing, and Network Acceptance

Start with the numbers: a modest annual fee and a clear representative rate help you judge whether the rewards justify the cost.

Annual fee and representative APR context

You’d historically pay a low annual fee — £24 — which kept ownership costs down compared with many UK travel cards. The representative APR is 23.7% variable, shown on a sample £1,200 limit, so factor that rate in if you carry a balance.

Twin-pack setup: American Express card plus Mastercard

You receive two cards on one account: an american express card for stronger earn rates and a Mastercard for wider acceptance. Both appear on a single monthly statement, simplifying credit management.

  • No foreign transaction fees: you earn avios on overseas purchases without FX markups.
  • Acceptance flexibility: use the express card for points and switch to the Mastercard where Amex isn’t taken.
  • One statement: unified billing and customer service for both cards.

Earning Rates Explained: 1.25 Avios per on Amex and how the Mastercard compares

Knowing the exact earn rates helps you decide where to put each purchase in your wallet. Below is a clear breakdown so you can route spend for the best return.

Amex earn and the introductory double earn

You earn 1.25 Avios per £1 on the american express. That is the core value driver, so push eligible bills and regular spend to this card.

Double Avios runs for the first six months up to £2,500 per month. Spending £1,000 each month in that window gives an effective 7,500 Avios bonus — a useful front-loaded boost.

Mastercard for everyday coverage

The backup card earns 0.25 Avios per £1 (equivalent to 1.25 Avios per £5). It’s weaker, but still valuable where american express isn’t accepted.

Use the Mastercard to keep transactions flowing and to top up progress toward vouchers without risking missed payments.

Avios per spent abroad and stacking value

There are no foreign transaction fees, so your avios per spent abroad keep full value. That makes overseas purchases especially efficient for building points.

  • Tip: Consolidate big purchases into the first months to exploit the double bonus.
  • Tip: Track your per spent totals to balance Amex returns with Mastercard practicality.

lloyds-bank-avios-card-premium-miles: Maximizing Value From Everyday Spend

Plan your big-ticket purchases to land inside the card’s six-month double-earn window. That introductory period is where the maths shifts in your favor.

Where to put big purchases in your first six months

Schedule electronics, annual insurance premiums, and prepaid travel to fall inside the double Avios months. Put high-value bills on the american express card when merchants accept it to capture the elevated bonus.

Keep the express card for large one-offs and use the Mastercard as a fallback at shops that refuse Amex. This ensures no spend is left un-credited and helps you chase any voucher targets efficiently.

Optimizing mixed acceptance between Amex and Mastercard

  • Test acceptance early so you know where to route purchases.
  • Use recurring bills and groceries to build steady points, switching only when needed.
  • Combine domestic everyday spend with travel abroad to exploit the 0% FX policy and preserve avios value.

Track posting cadence and confirm all eligible transactions earn correctly. Compare other credit cards in your wallet for specialised categories, but keep this pair handy for broad coverage.

The Flight Upgrade Voucher: Threshold, Rules, and Real-World Use Cases

You trigger the upgrade voucher after £7,000 voucher spend across both cards within a card year. When that target is reached you receive a single-use certificate that is valid to book for 12 months from issue. Travel can take place later, but you must ticket the booking within the year.

upgrade voucher

How to earn and who can use it

The voucher requires the cardholder to be one of the passengers. It upgrades either one person on a return or two people one-way each on the same booking.

Redemption mechanics and value

All you need is award availability in the higher class. You pay the Avios of the next-lower cabin, which is where the biggest savings appear. For example, upgrading a Club World return to New York while paying World Traveller Plus Avios pricing can save tens of thousands of points on peak dates.

Limitations and practical cautions

  • The voucher cannot upgrade Club World to First and is not valid on many codeshare flights.
  • Most London City routes are excluded except its New York service.
  • You cannot stack two vouchers on a single reservation; cancellations forfeit the voucher.

Bottom line: Plan voucher spend and booking timing carefully. Use the certificate on premium long-haul flights where cash fares are high to get the best value from your credit card reward.

Foreign Transaction Fees: Earn Avios Abroad with 0% FX Markups

Travel purchases keep full value on this account because there’s no FX markup and Avios still post. That means you avoid the common 3% foreign transaction fees many UK cards add. You also continue to earn points on overseas spending, preserving your avios per spent abroad.

Why that matters: a waived FX fee reduces out-of-pocket cost on hotels, dining, and transport. When combined with Avios accrual, your effective return on travel purchases improves.

Think about routing pre-paid items—refundable hotel rates or rental cars—through this credit card. That compounds savings from avoided markups with the value of points earned.

  • You’ll track the exchange rate and posting times to confirm fair conversion and point posting.
  • Use the American Express side where it’s accepted abroad, switching to the Mastercard when needed for wider coverage.
  • Avoid ATM cash advances; cash withdrawal fees and advance rates will erode the benefit of 0% FX on purchases.

Practical tip: document big foreign purchases and keep receipts. Reconcile statements so you spot any missing Avios or unexpected fees and can contest them quickly.

Comparisons: British Airways American Express, Premium Plus, and Barclaycard Avios

When you line up British Airways cards side‑by‑side, the trade‑offs between companion perks and upgrade certificates become obvious. You should weigh whether a companion voucher or an upgrade voucher fits your travel style and annual spend.

BA Amex vs the Lloyds pairing: the free BA american express earns 1 Avios/£ and unlocks a companion voucher at £20,000 a year. The paid Premium Plus boosts earnings to 1.5 Avios/£ and lowers barriers to its enhanced companion benefit.

The Lloyds american express here earns 1.25 Avios/£ and offers an upgrade voucher after £7,000. Its Mastercard leg pays 0.25 Avios/£, which is weak on general spend and often beaten by simple cashback cards that pay ~0.5%.

Where Barclaycard and cashback cards fit

Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus Mastercards arrived with sign‑up offers and their own vouchers. They appeal if you want one card with wide acceptance.

  • Choose Premium Plus if you can cover the fee and value the companion seat for premium flights.
  • Prefer an upgrade voucher if you travel solo or chase a one‑time cabin bump for a big trip.
  • Use a cashback credit card for non‑Amex transactions where low earn rates don’t justify using an Avios card.

Travel Insurance and Perks: What’s Included and What Isn’t

Travel perks on this card focus more on earn mechanics than on luxury add-ons like lounge access. You’ll get the core benefits: reliable points accrual, 0% FX on purchases, and the upgrade voucher if you hit the spend threshold.

What you won’t usually find: the account does not include built‑in lounge access or a comprehensive travel insurance package as a headline feature. If lounge access is a priority, plan to pair this card with a separate product or purchase day passes.

Do this before you rely on cover: verify any ancillary protections on the issuer’s site. Policies for purchase protection, trip delay, baggage, or travel accident can change. Confirm eligibility and claims processes so you’re not surprised during a claim.

  • Compare actual use: check whether your business travel policy or other cards already cover transfers, rental cars, or trip interruption to avoid duplicate fees.
  • Look for soft value: merchant offers and rotating promotions in the issuer portal can add perks even if headline insurance is absent.
  • Decide on cost vs. benefit: the modest fee helps keep ownership cheap while you focus on rewards and avios earning.

“Treat the absence of premium perks as a reason to confirm which benefits you truly need before you add any extra paid cards.”

Market Context: UK air miles credit cards after interchange caps

When interchange limits tightened, the market moved from big signup gifts to steady earn models. The 2017 EU cap on interchange at roughly 0.3% cut issuer margins. That change made generous up‑front offers much harder to justify.

What happened next: several airline co‑brand partnerships wound down, most notably MBNA closing multiple product lines. Issuers shifted to modest annual fee structures and ongoing earn or targeted vouchers to sustain rewards.

Newer cards arrived later with carefully staged offers. For example, entrants in 2022 used spend‑linked vouchers and modest sign‑on offers to attract business. These cards trade splashy bonuses for reliable points accrual and clearer fee models.

Why fees and offers now differ across cards

  • Compressed margins: issuers fund rewards through annual fee and incremental earn rates more often than large bonuses.
  • Targeted vouchers: threshold vouchers replace big sign‑up gifts as a way to lock in sustained spend.
  • Competition matters: cards that balance 0% FX, solid earn, and a clear voucher can win loyal cardholders.

“Expect more modest offers and design your card mix around ongoing earn rates and voucher timing.”

Conclusion

Balancing acceptance and a solid earn rate, this card can be a useful part of your points toolkit.

In the first year, prioritise the six-month double-earn window to lift balances quickly. Use the american express card where it earns 1.25 Avios per £1 and the Mastercard as a fallback.

You benefit from 0% FX on travel purchases and a low annual fee, but consider the representative APR if you carry a balance. Aim for the £7,000 voucher spend if a premium upgrade on a return flight matters to you.

Compare this option against british airways Amex products and keep a flexible card mix so you get the best value per year for your travel plans.

FAQ

What is the Lloyds Bank Avios rewards card and who is it suitable for?

The card is a twin-pack rewards product that pairs an American Express credit card with a Mastercard, letting you earn Avios points on everyday spending. You should consider it if you want a travel-focused card that boosts Avios accrual on Amex purchases, offers travel insurance, and provides a route to an upgrade voucher for premium cabin redemptions.

Is this card available to U.S. residents?

Availability is limited to UK residents and accounts issued in the United Kingdom. If you live in the U.S., you can compare similar airline-linked American Express options and other rewards credit cards that operate domestically.

How much does the card cost each year and what about the representative APR?

The card charges an annual fee and will publish a representative APR for purchases and balance transfers. Check the current offer terms before applying, as the fee and APR give context for whether the Avios per spend and perks justify holding the card.

How does the twin-pack setup work with American Express and Mastercard?

You receive an Amex card that typically earns more Avios per pound and a Mastercard for wider merchant acceptance. Use Amex where it offers 1.25 Avios per £1 and the Mastercard where Amex isn’t accepted or for large purchases if that’s required by the merchant.

What are the Amex earn rates and initial bonus periods?

The American Express card commonly earns 1.25 Avios per £1 spent. New cardholders may see “double Avios” or an elevated earn rate for the first six months as a sign-up incentive — use that window for big planned purchases to maximize returns.

When should I use the Mastercard instead of the Amex?

Use the Mastercard for merchants that don’t accept Amex, for everyday purchases where acceptance matters, or when a merchant imposes surcharges on Amex. It helps you keep earning Avios across a wider range of spending.

How do Avios earnings work when you spend abroad?

You can earn the stated Avios per spend on foreign transactions, and with 0% FX markups on some offers you keep the effective value of each pound spent. Always double-check whether the card waives foreign transaction fees before traveling.

Where should I put large purchases during the first six months to maximize Avios?

Charge big, planned spending to the Amex during an elevated earn-rate period to capture double Avios or the 1.25 Avios per £1. Use the Mastercard for purchases where Amex is not accepted or when you need broader merchant coverage.

How do I optimize mixed acceptance between Amex and Mastercard?

Track which merchants accept which network and split spend accordingly. Prioritize Amex for the best Avios earn rate and the Mastercard where Amex is blocked or surcharged. This hybrid approach increases your overall Avios haul.

How do you earn the flight upgrade voucher and what are the rules?

The upgrade voucher is typically earned after you spend a set threshold, such as £7,000 in a year. Timing matters: meet the spend within the qualifying period to trigger the voucher. Review the issuer’s terms for exact thresholds and eligibility windows.

What can the flight upgrade voucher be used for?

You can use the voucher to upgrade one eligible long-haul return or two one-way flights within the same booking, subject to cabin and route restrictions. It’s best used on high-value premium classes like Club World to secure meaningful Avios value.

Can you use the voucher to upgrade from Business to First or on all routes?

There are limitations. You usually cannot upgrade from Club World (Business) to First on routes where First isn’t available, and some fare classes or partner bookings may be excluded. Cancellation or refund rules may also void the voucher.

How valuable is the voucher in a real example, such as to New York?

A voucher applied to an Avios redemption like World Traveller Plus to Club World, or upgrades involving Club World to New York, can substantially cut cash outlays for premium travel. Value depends on the fare class you upgrade and peak dates, so estimate Avios and cash saved before using it.

How does this card compare to the British Airways American Express and Premium Plus cards?

The BA Amex range often offers companion vouchers tied to annual spend or fee, while this card’s key perk is an upgrade voucher earned by meeting a spend threshold. Compare annual fees, Avios per spend rates, and the companion versus upgrade voucher mechanics to pick which fits your travel habits.

Could a cashback credit card beat the Mastercard earn rate?

Yes. If your travel patterns don’t match Avios redemption needs, a cashback card with higher effective return on your spend could outperform the Mastercard’s Avios earnings. Run numbers on your typical spend and redemption goals to decide.

What travel insurance and perks come with the card?

The product usually includes travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage, plus travel-related perks such as lounge access on certain tiers. Verify the policy details, excesses, and exclusions before counting on the cover for a trip.

How did UK interchange cap changes affect air miles credit cards?

Interchange caps reduced merchant fees, which pressured card issuers and led to tighter sign-up bonuses and adjusted fee structures across airline-linked credit cards. That shift explains why fee levels and bonus incentives differ between similar products today.

Why do sign-up bonuses and annual fees vary across cards now?

Issuers balance customer acquisition costs against long-term profitability. After regulatory changes and market competition, you’ll see variability in upfront bonuses, annual fees, and the recurring benefits required to justify those fees.

How do I decide if this Avios card is right for my travel goals?

Compare how often you fly, where you fly, and whether you can use an upgrade voucher or companion benefit. Factor in the annual fee, Amex and Mastercard acceptance, Avios earn rates, and any travel insurance to see if the net rewards outweigh costs.