The proof that I'm living in the UK now! (Boots Advantage Card)

Member Name: sun-is-shining

Product:	Boots Advantage Card
Date:	20/06/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: save some money

Disadvantages: cannot spend points on certain products

Oh, I feel so integrated into the English culture now - I have a Boots Advantage card.

No, seriously, the card is really good and within months I had enough points to treat myself to a little extra. Not being a bit fan of any Loyalty card scheme I have to admit that the Boots Card really convinced me.
You get 4 points per Pound spend. That means that every time I top up my mobile phone I can add 40 pence to my card. That doesn't sound much but with the points from hair care, lunch deals and cards it adds up quite quickly for me.
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How to get the card

Getting the card is easy. You can either go to your nearest Boots store and ask for the form to fill out (You'll get a temporary card and it takes roughly 2 weeks till your new card arrives) or fill out the online form.

They only ask for your address (to send you the card), your name and gender. You don't have to give them your mail address or phone number.
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How to collect points

Points can be collected when shopping online on Boots.com or in the shop, just bring your card with you to the till and the points will be added to it. Please note that you don't get points for prescriptions or gift cards.
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How to spend points

Points can be spend in every Boots store. Simply bring your card with you to the till and treat yourself. Please not that you cannot spend your points on certain products like prescriptions, gift card and - that is so annoying - mobile phone top-ups.

You cannot spend your points when shopping online at Boots.com. That's something I really don't understand, you can collect points online, check your balance but you cannot spend them. Well, that's actually alright for me, I don't shop online anyway.
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Downside

- It's an Advantage card. I know that sounds a bit strange but it is definitely a downside. Any Advantage or Loyalty card scheme collects data about your shopping habits and in the case of Boots even about your medicine consume.
Secondly lots of people stop comparing offers and go automatically to Boots just because they have the card. It is such a contradiction in itself, spending money in order to save some pence.
Boots is my favourite store as it's just opposite of my work so it is convenient to go there during my lunch break. But if I'd know that I can get a certain product for half the price at Superdrugs I'd go there. I have the impression that quite a few people forget that they are allowed to use others stores even though they have the Boots Card.

- You have to have enough points on your card to pay the full price, you cannot combine the points and cash.
For example if I'd like to by shampoo for 2 Pound and have only 150 Points on my card I cannot just pay with 50pence and the 150 points. No, I have to wait till I collected the 200 points to get my shampoo.

- You cannot spend the points on Boots online, you can collect points when buying online but you cannot spend them.
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Personal experience

After having the Boots Advantage card for several months I'm still very, very happy with it! I'm not a shopping addict and not too keen on make-up so it took a bit till I had enough points to treat myself to something.

Most of my points come from hair-care products, the cheapies just cannot cope with my curly and thick hair so I have to spend more on shampoo and conditioner.

I also get the lunch deal from time to time which adds also a few pence to my card. Same goes for my phone top-up, it costs 10 Pound anyway regardless of where I buy it, so why not getting the 40 pence from Boots?

I don't buy more products just because I have the Advantage card, but even so I managed to collect quite a few points over the last months.

I already spend some of them more hair-care products but I think that I'll start saving them up from now on - Christmas is coming up in a few months and I hope to 'buy' some presents with my card.
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Summary: ....