Every Monday Sinead Ryan brings you top notch consumer advice so that you can make savings and get the best value for your money. This week she’s been examining the benefits of having loyalty cards.
Loyalty cards are the modern “coupon cutting” of our mothers’ era.
- They offer points for every € spent,
- Extra points to buy selected products,
- “bonus” points if you spend more than a set amount in a particular department.
- Points can be redeemed against hotels (Supervalu), Days out (Tesco)
Usually a “minimum spend” before a money-off statement will be sent out to you. 150 ”“ 400 points depending on store.
If you forget your card, most stores will allow you to validate receipts later, e.g. Boots (45 days), Dunnes (14 days).
Average family spend on grocery shopping is €6,000 p.a. so worth collecting those points!
What’s allowed:
Food, clothes, petrol
What’s Not:
Lottery purchases, cigarettes infant formula, medicines, gift vouchers. This is the law.
Some stores won’t allow you redeem loyalty points against tobacco products.
Some shops allow points for buying call credit, some don’t.
Data Protection
You will be giving store personal information. Data Prot Act forbids this being given to 3rd parties but YOU MUST tick the boxes to say this. Nobody wants to be spammed with junk mail but this is hard to remedy later on.
Tips for Savvy Cardholders
Keep all your cards on a dedicated keychain or in a card holder
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Whatever store you find yourself in, you’ll have it ready.
With some (e.g. Boots) save up for the year and redeem at Christmas.
Coffee houses have poorest value. M&S: 9 cups, 10th free; BBs 5th/10th drink free; Lavazza 7th free.
Starbucks is worst: 1 star per transaction, 15 stars = free drink AND you have to pre-load the card with cash.
Join the conversation: email tom@newstalk.ie
