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Lloyds cancels Avios Duo credit cards and launches less rewarding replacement
Following months of confusion, Lloyds is issuing its new Avios Rewards Mastercard to customers who previously held its Duo Avios credit card.
Although not available to new customers, the Avios Rewards Mastercard will replace the current Duo Avios American Express and Mastercard for existing customers in early 2019.
Long-time Avios Duo customers were able to collect Avios currency through purchases on their Mastercard and American Express credit cards. Despite using two different cards, purchases were charged to the same account so customers only received one bill and one Avios statement. Avios points could then be exchanged for flights, hotels, car hire, experiences and upgrades.
What’s changing with Avios Duo credit cards?
The American Express and Avios changes in recent months will have a big impact on Lloyds Avios Duo customers’ rewards and the new Avios Rewards Mastercard will give fewer rewards points.
- Instead of two credit cards, Avios Duo customers will be issued just one Mastercard
- New PIN for your new Avios Rewards Mastercard
- No credit card issued on the American Express network
- Earn rate is less than the American Express card, but better than the Mastercard
What’s the Avios earn rate on the new Avios Rewards Mastercard?
Lloyds Avios Rewards customers will earn significantly fewer Avios points than with their Avios Duo American Express card. For example, an Avios Duo customer could have earned 100 Avios if they spent £100 on their American Express card or 20 Avios if they spent £100 on their Mastercard. If they spend £100 on their new Avios Rewards Mastercard, they will receive 40 Avios.
By using the Avios Rewards Mastercard instead of the old Avios Duo American Express card, they are losing out on 60 Avios per £100 spent.
On the flip side, Avios Duo customers who regularly used their Mastercard rather than their American Express will find their earn rate doubled.
| Duo Avios Mastercard earn rate | Duo Avios American Express earn rate | New Avios Rewards Mastercard earn rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avios on spending | 1 Avios for every £5 spent | 5 Avios for every £5 spent | 2 Avios for every £5 spent |
| Avios on foreign spending | 2 Avios for every £5 spent | 10 Avios for every £5 spent | 4 Avios for every £5 spent |
| Avios on balance transfers | 1,500 Avios for every £1,000 transferred | 1,500 Avios for every £1,000 transferred | 2 Avios for every £5 transferred (You’ll get 400 Avios for £1,000) |
What’s staying the same?
While Avios Duo customers will be getting a new card, there are some elements of their account which will stay the same.
- Interest rate
- No annual fee
- Credit card terms and conditions
- Foreign transaction fees
- Your existing Avios Duo credit card balance will be transferred to the new card
Extra Avios for Club Lloyds customers
If you have had a Club Lloyds bank account for six months or more, you will earn extra Avios for balance transfers and eligible spending.
- 1 additional Avios for every £10 spent
- 2 additional Avios for every £10 spent in a foreign currency
- 1 additional Avios for every £10 balance transferred
What happens to my Avios account and points?
Avios closed its Avios Travel Rewards Programme in 2018, although Avios as a currency still exists. Old Avios accounts have been moved over to the British Airways Executive Club.
- In future, any Avios customers earn through their credit cards or frequent flyer memberships will be added to their British Airways Executive Club account.
- Avios points can be redeemed through the British Airways website, rather than the Avios.com website.
Why is American Express no longer offered with Lloyds credit cards?
The American Express card network has ended its licensing agreement that allows banks in the EEA to issue their cards. In future, you can only open American Express cards in the UK directly through American Express.
Pros and cons of new Avios Rewards Mastercard
Pros
- More Avios earned on Mastercard purchases and foreign transactions
- Only one card to carry instead of two
- No annual fee
Cons
- Fewer Avios earned than American Express purchases and foreign transactions
- Fewer Avios earned on balance transfers
- Need to change existing credit card direct debits to new card number
- Foreign transaction fees
Can I earn more Avios elsewhere?
These changes to the Lloyds Avios credit card may make many customers decide to change their credit card to a more lucrative rewards program.
The British Airways American Express credit card has an earn rate of 1 Avios per £1 spent, compared to the Avios Rewards rate of 1 Avios per £2.50 spent. Alternatively, you could earn 0.75 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles for every £1 spent on a Virgin Atlantic credit card.
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How and were do I find our Avios points as I can’t ever find them.
Hi Diana,
You can find your Avios points by simply logging in to the Bristish Airways website. Your points should automatically be transferred in full to British Airways Executive Club.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Joyce
What is the last date I can still use my duo card?
Hi Phil,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
You will receive a letter that states your Avios Duo credit card will be cancelled. It will then be closed after 60 days upon receiving the letter.
To confirm the date, you might want to directly get in touch with Lloyds Bank.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Can money be transfered frm Avious to my bank account ? if so how much is transferable?
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
Avios are non-transferable and cannot be moved to an account in another name. However, you can use your Avios to make bookings for family or friends.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Faye
I have just received my new Avios duo credit cards( both amex and mastercard )that are valid until 2022 with no changes to t&c?
Hi Dave,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
It may be possible that you are part of the final batch of users who are still able to enjoy the Avios duo credit cards from Lloyds. These have been recently been removed from the cards being released by Lloyds as of this writing. You may want to contact Lloyds directly to check further into this. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Are Avios points transferrable?
Hi Paula,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Yes, you can transfer Avios points provided that the receiver is also a program member. Please note that there’s a transfer fee that you would need to pay. Please refer to the pricing grid on the Sharing Avios points page to know your transfer fee. Moreover, there’s also a limit to how much you can send. For example, you can only send 27,000 Avios points to one recipient.
For more information, you can also visit the British Airways’ website.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua