Tesco toughens up on earning points for ink cartridge recycling
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Back in October, I ran this article explaining how to earn some cheap Avios by buying used printer ink cartridges on eBay and sending them to Tesco for recycling, in return for Tesco Clubcard points.
Towards the end of 2012, some people found that Tesco was delaying the credit of cartridges to their account. It was never clear what was going on, but I got the impression that someone was buying cartridges FROM Tesco’s recycling partner, putting them onto eBay for sale and then people were sending them BACK to the recycling firm in return for points! (This is only my guess, let me be clear.)
Whatever the problem was, Tesco did eventually give people the points they were due and the recycling scheme continued (and still continues) as it always did.
The new 2013 list of applicable cartridges accepted for recycling has just been released.
Some of the most popular cartridges – especially the HP 364 model – have had their points value reduced from 100 points to 50 points. This was the most popular cartridge to buy off eBay, unfortunately.
Cartridge recycling is still a great way of getting some value Clubcard points (and therefore Avios or Virgin Flying Club miles) for the cartridges you use at home. It is not necessarily such a good deal for ‘trading’ them anymore.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable 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.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 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
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year 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.
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