The Tesco Clubcard is a key tool in our budgeting plans as we all look to cut back on our spending in the current cost of living crisis. It gives discounts at the checkout and builds up points that can be used to lower future shopping bills.
Many Tesco items are displayed with two price labels - the standard cost to the regular shopper and the discounted price if using a Clubcard. And there's also a Clubcard Plus that gives customers extra perks if they pay a subscription charge.
But at a time when many are examining all their subscriptions such as gym memberships, TV packages, streaming services, and repeat orders of health and beauty products, is it worth adding on yet another one?
What is the difference between Tesco Clubcard and Tesco Clubcard Plus?
The Clubcard Plus costs £7.99 for a monthly subscription, whereas the standard Tesco Clubcard is free. The Clubcard allows you to access basic discounts in the supermarket so it remains free of charge and is easily obtainable with the Tesco Groceries app.
Nowadays, the Clubcard can be scanned from your phone so it's easy to have at hand. In the past, it was just a physical card.
The Clubcard Plus is a monthly subscription and only available to customers who are already Clubcard members. It gives you additional benefits across the Tesco Group for £7.99 a month.
However, you can only use the 10 per cent grocery discount on the Clubcard Plus twice a month on a basket value up to £200. This gives the customer a maximum discount of £20 each time depending on the value of the basket or trolley.
Will you gain from getting a Clubcard Plus?
You'll need to check if you are really going to benefit from such a subscription. Your two monthly shops need to be at least £40 each, so you get £8 total from the two 10 per cent discounts to offset the £7.99 monthly charge.
You will gain more from shopping just twice a month so you get the maximum reduction, as it can only be applied on two occasions each month.
For instance, if you spend £100 in Tesco twice a month, you'll get a £10 discount each time. That's a total of £20 off, against the £7.99 subscription, meaning that overall you have saved £12. If you spend £200 twice a month, you'll get discounts totalling £40 and, taking into account the subscription charge of £7.99, come out with a saving of £32.
Tesco said: "When you use one of your 10 per cent off two big shops coupons, you'll get 10 per cent off all your regular grocery shopping in-store. This includes all food, drinks, alcohol, household, pet, fresh flowers and plants, baby, and health and beauty. Other non-food items are excluded and the usual Clubcard exclusions apply.
"Don't forget, if you scan your Clubcard in the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app, you'll also get 10 per cent off selected Tesco brands in-store all the time.
"Where Minimum Unit Pricing rules apply, when buying alcohol, you may not receive some or all of the 10 per cent discount to the extent that it would reduce the price of the products concerned below the Minimum Unit Price. Full details of the terms and conditions can be found on the Clubcard Plus website."
Exclusions - what is not included in Tesco Clubcard or Clubcard Plus
The following items are not included in the Tesco Clubcard/Clubcard Plus groceries discounts:
- Fuel and motoring-related products
- Lottery
- Gift vouchers and gift cards
- Savings stamps and postage stamps
- Tobacco products and accessories
- Infant baby formula milk
- Prescription medicines
- Newspapers and magazines
- General merchandise, including:
- Electricals
- Mobile phones, top-ups and accessories
- Sports, bikes and camping
- Car accessories and DIY
- Luggage and bags
- Media and entertainment
- Homeware
- Kitchenware
- Gardening Equipment and BBQ
- Stationery, cards and wrapping paper
- Party accessories
- Toys and nursery
- Seasonal non-food
- In-store third-party concession products
- Bureau de change
- Carrier bag charges
- In-store café or coffee shop
- When purchasing alcohol where minimum unit pricing rules apply
- Products which are subject to the separate Always On Discount
