Exclusive: Capital on Tap Revamps Referral Program: Earn Avios Instead of Cash

Capital on Tap, one of the best Avios-earning business credit cards in the UK, is making a significant improvement to their refer-a-friend scheme that will particularly benefit Avios collectors. Instead of the current £75 cashback applied to your statement, referrals will soon earn flexible rewards that can be converted to Avios points, gift cards, or traditional cashback.

This change, set to roll out in the coming weeks, represents a strategic shift that aligns perfectly with what many business owners using the card are already doing – collecting Avios for their spending.

What's Changing?

Currently, when you refer a business colleague to Capital on Tap, both parties receive £75 credited directly to their account once the new cardholder meets the spending requirements. While cashback is always appreciated, many of us who specifically chose Capital on Tap for its Avios-earning capabilities would prefer rewards in that currency.

The updated program will allow you to choose your reward format:

• Avios points (likely around 7,500 Avios based on current conversion rates)

• Gift cards for various retailers

• Traditional cashback

This flexibility is a welcome improvement that lets you tailor the referral bonus to your specific goals, whether that's building your Avios balance for your next business class redemption or reducing your card costs.

Why This Matters for Points Collectors

For those of us using Capital on Tap primarily as an Avios-earning vehicle, this update makes perfect sense. As someone who personally carries two Capital on Tap business cards (yes, you can have multiple if you have different businesses), I've found it to be an exceptionally reliable way to earn Avios on business expenses.

The card already offers:

• 1 Avios per £1 spent (now 1.25% for pre-loading Pro users)

• No foreign transaction fees

With the addition of Avios as a referral reward, the card becomes even more attractive for business owners looking to maximise their travel rewards.

Strategic Considerations

If you're planning to join Capital on Tap soon, you might consider:

1. Maximising multiple business accounts: Remember that different business entities can each have their own Capital on Tap account, potentially multiplying your earning opportunities.

2. Combining with other earning strategies: This enhancement works wonderfully alongside other Avios-earning methods, such as using Curve to pay HMRC or leveraging the BA Shopping Portal for business purchases.

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A Practical Example

Let's say you refer three business colleagues to Capital on Tap in the coming months. Under the new program, you could potentially earn 22,500 Avios (assuming 7,500 per referral) just from these introductions.

That's enough for a one-way business class flight within Europe on British Airways, or a significant contribution toward a longer premium cabin redemption. Use our how many Avios points needed for a flight tool to explore what this could get you!

My Take

As someone who regularly uses Capital on Tap for business expenses, this update is a welcome change that better aligns with how I and many others use the card. The flexibility to choose between Avios, gift cards, or cashback demonstrates that Capital on Tap understands their customer base includes significant numbers of points enthusiasts.

Given that many business owners specifically choose Capital on Tap for its Avios-earning potential rather than just as a payment tool, offering rewards in the currency they're already collecting makes perfect sense. It's a smart move that strengthens the card's position as one of the go-to options for UK businesses looking to earn travel rewards.

If you haven't yet tried Capital on Tap for your business, now might be the perfect time to consider it. You can apply here and earn a welcome bonus to get started on your Avios collection journey.

With travel continuing to rebound in 2025, having multiple avenues to earn Avios is more valuable than ever - and Capital on Tap's referral program update is another useful tool in the arsenal of savvy points collectors.

What do you think about this change? Will you be holding off on referrals until you can earn Avios instead of cash? Let us know in the comments below!

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