Lots of Advantages! (Boots Advantage Card)

Member Name: kayelletee

Product:	Boots Advantage Card
Date:	22/10/06 (1587 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free stuff!!

Disadvantages: Some restrictions on how it can be used

Boots the chemist's loyalty card is called an "Advantage Card" and it's definitely that! I've had a card for almost 10 years and have certainly picked up a few treats along the way!

*****So what is it?*****

Launched in September 1997, the Advantage Card Scheme is promoted by Boots and is available to anyone who registers their details. The UK Advantage Card Scheme is valid in all UK Boots stores but it's interesting to note that it's not valid in Republic of Ireland stores. It is a loyalty card that rewards frequent customers of the store.

***** How does it work? *****

When you buy something in Boots (or on their website, Boots.com) "Advantage Points" will be added to your Advantage Card. It's a more generous scheme than many retailers as you get 4 points for every £1 that you spend. In terms of converting the points, 1 point = 1 pence although, at Boots Opticians you get 1 point for every £1 spent.

***** Other ways to get points *****

4 pence for every pound that you spend doesn't seem like much (although it will certainly mount up if you shop there frequently - even for little everyday things). However, it's the points offers that really boost your total. For example, they often have offers on such as "100 free points when you purchase any item from the Botanics Skincare Range" so, for example, if you buy a moisturiser that costs £5, as well as getting your 20 points for the purchase (£5 x 4 points), you also get a further 100 points - without spending the corresponding £25. They often have more dramatic offers on higher priced goods such as Clinique skincare products or Elizabeth Arden beauty - for example, there was an offer on last week whereby if you bought 2 Elizabeth Arden products (one to be skincare) you would receive 1000 points - that's £10 in points. Christmas shopping evenings are another good way to pick up points - last year if you spent £50 on products then, as well as getting the points related to your spending, you would get an additional 1200 points - not bad if you're doing the shopping anyway! In addition, there are regularly "Double Points" or "Triple Points" weekends which do what they say on the tin!

***** Is it a scam? *****

No, but it is a clever marketing tool which most definitely promotes loyalty to Boots. To illustrate - I know that Boots is not as cheap as other high street shops for shampoo and other products that they might both sell, but if I spot a points offer, I would favour going to Boots and getting the "Reward".

***** What are the disadvantages? *****

You don't earn points for everything you buy and, in particular, you don't get them on prescription items, infant milks (up to 6 months), gift vouchers/cards or postage stamps.

Another disadvantage is that the Boots.com site often stocks a range of products not in stock in all Boots stores and yet you can't actually redeem your points online (although you can collect them). This is a shame if you live close to a smaller shop and want to spend your points on something specific which you know that Boots sells online.

Similarly, points cannot be spent in Boots Opticians.

Something to be aware of is that you can't make a part payment of points towards a product or service. You have to collect the full amount of points needed for the product you choose (I have seen myself scouring the shop for the cheapest item with the most bonus points so that my total matches with what I'm hoping to buy!)

***** What are the advantages? *****

Well there is one main advantage - "FREE" stuff of course!!! II like to use my Advantage points to treat myself to things that I don't really need or wouldn't like to buy. Because I forget what I've bought and the points just mount up, it's a good way to get a surprise treat! I used to save up for about a year and then, around Christmas time, treat myself or my boyfriend to a nice perfume/aftershave boxed set however, following a mistake by a sales assistant in putting points on to my card at a Christmas shopping event 2 years ago, I was credited with about £40 in points at one go. I decided not to fritter them away but to save and save and save culminating in the biggest treat of all last weekend - a brand new, FREE, black 8gb iPod nano! Woo hoo!!! I was so proud of my new gadget (affter 2 years of saving points and eating Boots meal deals for lunch!) I think that the sales assistant was quite surprised too. When I asked if it was possible to buy an iPod with points he said "yes, but only if you've got enough..." Little did he know...!!!

I even managed to talk my boyfriend into signing up for a card (which was a feat in itself as they do look a bit effeminate in your wallet - nice and pink!) - the rewards have drawn him in!

***** Recommended? *****

With my shiny iPod sitting in front of me, how could I possibly say no?! If you don't have one, get one!

KLT x

Summary: Boots Advantage Card - great stuff!