It pays to be loyal - or does it? Supermarkets certainly seem to think so, with pretty much every chain offering their own take on the loyalty scheme, to try to tempt you to shop in their stores.
With the recent hike in the cost of living, families are feeling the pinch, and many are looking to save money when they go shopping, although we are seeing record high prices on supermarket shelves.
Apart from the Co-op scheme, which costs £1 to join, loyalty schemes are free and do bring some benefits, but to maximise the deals, you need to spend most of your money in one chain - which is, of course, exactly what the retailers want.
Read more: Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Tesco insiders share supermarket own-brand 'secrets' to help others save money
Here we have a look at what's on offer at each supermarket and how you can get the best out of them.
Tesco Clubcard
Launched: February 1995
Cardholders: 20 million
How it works: On a basic level, you get one point for every pound spent instore or online. With 150 points you can redeem £1.50 off at your next Tesco shop, or alternatively spend up to three times your Clubcard voucher value to spend with 100 Reward Partners, including Pizza Express and Eurotunnel.
Format: Virtual card via the Tesco app or order a physical card online.
Probably the best known of all supermarket loyalty cards, the Tesco Clubcard caused raised eyebrows when it introduced exclusive deals just for Clubcard members, leading to accusations of two-tier pricing. There have also been allegations of Tesco hiking prices on products for people who do not have a Tesco Clubcard account.
Nectar Card (Sainsbury's)
Launched: Sainsbury's bought Nectar in 2018
Cardholders: 19 million
How it works: Like Tesco, you get one point for every point spent instore or online. You can also collect and spend points at Sainsbury’s Bank, Sainsbury's Energy, Esso, Expedia, Argos and eBay among others. Nectar also gives you personalised offers to get extra points in store.
Format: Virtual card via the Nectar app or order a physical card online.
Sainsbury’s came under fire last year under fire from consumers after dropping its popular Nectar Double Up promotion and replacing it with a number of ‘invite-only’ offers, including The Big Points Swap. The change meant that shoppers were no longer able to save their points for a year then double them up for a short period to spend in specific departments
My Morrisons
Launched: May 2021, to replace Morrisons More
Cardholders: More than six million
How it works: Points are no longer a thing at Morrisons. Instead you o get personalised offers tailored to your shopping that allow you to lower the price of your shop.
Format: Virtual card via the Morrisons app as Morrisons does not provide new physical cards.
My Morrisons is a lot more limited than the Morrisons More scheme it replaced, and the store chain was criticised when it made the switch, with angry shoppers saying the app-only scheme excluded older people.
Sparks Card (Marks and Spencer)
Launched: October 2015
Cardholders: Around seven million
How it works: Similar to My Morrisons, M&S does not provide Sparks points anymore, but they do give shoppers personalised offers and free treats such as money off clothing or free bakery items. M&S also donates to your chosen charity every time you shop with your Sparks card, you can pick your chosen charity through the M&S app.
Format: Virtual card via the M&S app or or pick up a physical card in-store.
M&S have recently revamped their Sparks reward scheme, which you can use at their M&S food halls or at their clothing stores. You currently cannot use your Sparks account on Ocado but can use it on the M&S website. M&S also pays for random Sparks customer’s shopping.
Asda Rewards
Launched: Only available at a small number of trial stores including five in the North East
Cardholders: Not known
How it works: You earn pounds (not points) that allow you to earn money back on your next shop when you purchase certain own-brand and big brand products.
Format: Download the Asda Rewards app for a virtual card as Asda does not provide physical cards.
Asda is hoping to jump onto the rewards scheme with their brand new Asda Rewards, the first time the supermarket chain has attempted a loyalty card. Asda Rewards is currently only available at a small number of trial stores, including those in Boldon, Byker, Benton, Gosforth and South Shields.
myWaitrose
Launched: 2011
Cardholders: 8.5 million
How it works: myWaitrose offers personalised offers every week, with offers on counters in-store. You can get a free Waitrose magazine, and 5% off at Johnsons the Cleaners.
Format: Download the Waitrose & Partners app for a virtual card, or order a physical card online.
MyWaitrose customers used to be able to get free hot drinks whilst they shopped, but this was suspended due to COVID-19 and no announcement has been made on the return of this popular benefit.
Lidl Plus
Launched: September 2020
Cardholders: Around 4 million
How it works: App-based loyalty scheme, offering new personalised coupons every Thursday, plus discounts and prizes
Format: Download the Lidl Plus app for a virtual card as Lidl does not provide physical cards.
A newcomer to the loyalty market, Lidl Plus was launched in the UK a month after launching in Ireland in 2020, and is said to have smashed its membership targets.
Co-op Membership
Launched: Revamped scheme launched in 2020.
Cardholders: Around 1.2 billion members worldwide
How it works: The Co-op membership costs £1 to sign-up, but you get the choice of two offers every week, and access to Co-op member prices in-store. Similar to M&S, Co-op also donates to your chosen charity every time you shop, and you can select and change this charity on the Co-op app.
Format: Download the Co-op app for a virtual card, or order a physical card online.
Co-op membership operates differently to other loyalty schemes, as being a member allows you to vote in elections and motions at the AGM. There are three million co-ops around the world .
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