I've heard the rumor that some foreign airlines offer a large financial bonus to recruit experienced pilots. Any truth to these rumors? Thanks

Not lately! but yes, there have been airlines that paid "sign in" bonuses. It is all cyclical and it depends on the amount and experience of the applicants they get

Most contracts also come with a completion bonus which can be between $10,000 and $50,000 or more.

Completion bonuses are very rare these days. You have to read the terms and conditions of the contact which states that in order to be eligible for the completion bonus if any, one must be actively, employed on the anniversary date of such employment.

Beware for the less than stand up operators that schedule your LPC or Line Check two weeks before the term of the contract is up.

Also keep in mind that completion bonuses are just a way to pay you less during the contract and try to get you to stay to the end. The airline pays the contracting company X dollars per pilot. It's pretty much up to the contracting company how much they keep for themselves and how much, and in what manner they pay you. I'd much rather take an extra $1000/month instead of a $12,000/year bonus