UK Avios, cards and cashback

Start earning Avios from the money you already spend.

Get the card stack, earning routes and redemption checks I use in one guide, with the card links sent in the same email.

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Dearenee standing beside the River Thames at sunset.

My own setup

I use every account on this page.

I compare the available return before I buy, then use the route that suits that purchase. The guide puts those decisions into one order.

See what is inside ↓

Inside the guide

Nine sections. One sequence.

Start with the card stack, build the earning habits, see what the bonuses are really worth, protect the points you already have, then redeem with a clear comparison.

01The Recommended Card Stack
02Every Way to Earn
03What the Welcome Bonuses Actually Give You
04My Split vs Starting From Zero
05Amex Retention Offers
06Redeeming Smartly
07Airline Sweet Spots
08What to Never Do
09Your Action Plan

Your next purchase

Three checks before you pay.

This is the smallest useful version of the system. It takes one planned purchase and helps you choose the route before you click through.

01

Check the price

Include delivery, returns and any voucher conditions.

02

Compare the reward

Choose one shopping portal for that order.

03

Pay deliberately

Use an eligible card only when you can repay it in full.

Choose one route

Points or cashback.

I compare these before an online order because the available retailer and rate can change which route gives me the better return. All four open straight from here, no email needed.

Avios

Earn Avios

Use it when an eligible retailer and rate make the Avios route worthwhile.

Open Avios

Rakuten

Earn cashback

Compare its cashback rate with the points routes before choosing.

Open Rakuten

TopCashback

Earn cashback

Free to join. Eligible tracked purchases can earn cashback after approval.

Open TopCashback

Virgin Red

Earn Virgin Points

Use it when you have a purpose for Virgin Points and the rate suits the purchase.

Open Virgin Red

Where I invest

My stocks and shares ISA.

Trading 212 is where my ISA and my monthly index fund buys sit. Not sponsored. When Trading 212 runs an invite promotion, my invite goes here.

Trading 212

Invite open

Join with my invite and we both get free fractional shares worth up to £100. Open until 3 November 2026. Capital at risk, terms apply.

Claim the invite

Cards and fees

Count the cost before the points.

A bonus gets attention. The annual fee and the rewards you can realistically use decide whether the card fits your spending.

Annual fees checked on 10 September 2026
CardFirst yearAfter year one
Nectar Amex£0£30 a year
Preferred Rewards Gold£0£195 a year
BA Premium Plus£300£300 a year

The playbook also explains the Mastercard I use where Amex is not accepted. Credit cards involve borrowing, and interest or fees can outweigh rewards.

The supporting accounts

Useful when they solve a job.

You can use the shopping routes with your existing bank. These two accounts remain here because they serve a purpose in my own setup. Monzo opens from here. Lloyds and the three Amex cards come by email, through the form.

Monzo

I use pots and instant notifications to keep spending and bills organised. One link, two offers. It opens on the business side, £50 each way if you open a Monzo business account, and £10 each way if you open a personal current account instead.

Open Monzo

Lloyds

It serves a separate banking purpose for me. Compare any account with what you already have.

Sent by email

Before you start

The questions that matter.

Do I need all nine accounts?

No. Start with the route that serves your next purchase, then add an account when it has a clear job.

Do all the shopping accounts earn Avios?

Avios earns Avios, Virgin Red earns Virgin Points, and Rakuten and TopCashback pay cashback.

Can I start without a credit card?

Yes. Participating shopping portals can work with an eligible payment method, subject to each retailer’s terms.

What will you email me?

The playbook and the card referral links. Further emails are sent only when you select the optional box.

Will Avios cover the whole cost of a flight?

Reward flights can still include taxes, fees and carrier charges. Availability also varies, so compare the points and cash cost with the cash fare.

Start with the guide

Make your next purchase count.

Get the complete setup order and the card links in one email.

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