Definitely an Advantage (Boots Advantage Card)

Member Name: hypno06

Product:	Boots Advantage Card
Date:	18/01/09 (243 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A generous loyalty scheme that has real value

Disadvantages: Only redeemable in Boots stores

Boots introduced the Advantage card in the mid 1990s. The original pilot scheme was launched in just a few small stores, and my local store was one of those involved. This was at a time when loyalty cards were only just beginning - so no clubcard, nectar card etc, so Boots did not know how popular this was going to be.

At that time, cardholders got a whopping 10 points per £1 spent - 10%!!!! These points could only be redeemed on a few items in store, but as I was a new mum, it was a scheme I was very happy to take advantage of when buying baby stuff - wipes, nappies, etc!!

When the scheme was rolled out countrywide a few months later, the points awarded per £ were reduced to 4, and it has stayed this way ever since. This is equivalent to 4% so still not bad. Boots claims that this is the most generous loyalty scheme in existance, and I would say that this depends on what criteria you apply, and what is important to you - for example, Tesco Clubcard gives 1 point per £ but if you use clubcard deals then each point is actually worth 4p (the same as Boots points, now) and because you can redeem your Tesco Clubcard deals other places than Tesco stores, you may feel that THEY are the most generous loyalty scheme (or any other in existance.....).

Anyway, back to Boots Advantage.......

**how to increase your points**

There are ways to increase the points you earn (apart from just spending ........Boots will mail you coupons and vouchers entitling you to extra points on your next transaction from time to time.

The stores have weekends throughout the year when they offer triple points - giving you the equivalent of 12% on your purchases....not bad at all!

There are also Advantage points throughout most stores - these are machines that look a bit like a cash point - you put your Advantage card in, and you are given offers that you can choose to print off. For example "500 points if you spend £30" or "100 points if you buy XXX". These offers vary each visit, so it is well worth checking each time you are in the store.

If you have a baby, you can join Boots Parenting Club where you will get mailed offers related to baby products - another way of increasing your points with little effort.

**redeeming your points**

In the early days points were only redeemable against a relatively small number of items in the store, but now almost everything in Boots can be purchased with Advantage points. You simply tell the cashier when you are at the till that you wish to pay using your points, and they will deduct the relevant number of points from your balance.

The only potential problem you may have here is that you have to have the full number of points available to pay for that product - you cannot pay part cash, part points. So for example, if you have 300 points, you can pay for a £2.99 product using your points. But you could not pay for a product costing £3.01 - this would have to be purchased using real money.

**keeping track**

Each time you obtain a receipt, you will see at the bottom how many points are awarded and how many in total you have. You can also put your Advantage cards in one of the points mentioned above in the store and it will tell you how many points you have. Finally, you can register online at www.boots.com and put your Advantage card details there, and keep track of your points online.

**What can I not get points on**

Points are not given on gift vouchers, and prescriptions, but are given on mobile phone top ups.

**What if I forget my card**

No problem! Just tell the cashier you have forgotten your card and she/he will validate your receipt. If you take your card with your receipt into the shop within 28 days (it used to be 14 days) they will add your points on to your balance without any problem.

So, all in all, the loyalty scheme IS a very generous one, and you can soon accumulate a good number of points, which you can then redeem for treats, presents, or (when you are skint like me) boring old tights for work when yours get a ladder in!

If you haven't signed up yet, then do so - you can order your card in store, or online.

Summary: Get an Advantage card now!!