==Boots Advantage Card Scheme==

This is one loyalty card that has been around for a while, along with the likes of Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card & Superdrug Beauty Card. This is my first loyalty card to ever own and to be fair I've always wanted to have my own loyalty card instead of using someone elses & letting them get the benefits!

Recently I've done a fair bit of shopping at Boots. Ever since October last year, I have used a temporary card and managed to collect 80 points (£20.00 spent in store) up until the point when I recieved my permanent card in early Februrary this year, which now meant I could spend my points if I wanted too, but I decided to save up and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

==History==

The Boots Advantage Card Scheme was launched in 1997 as a match to the likes of other reward cards. To then get people to sign up for it, they put the amount of points you get per £1 up to 4, which no one had heard of at the time. Loads of people came flooding in and started to soon gain points on the most simplest of items, such as buying toiletries, baby care products, perfume and electricals from Boots rather than Argos (or a shop that was around at the time, Index, some may remember that). Nowadays you can collect points by processing your photos there, buying your lunch there on the meal deal for £2.50 or even getting mobile phone top up there. At a tenner a time (say maybe once every 2 weeks) you can collect 40 points just doing that!

==The Card Itself==

The card design has changed has changed 3 times (that I know of) over the past 15 years. It firstly used to be a blue colour, then it changed to a purple colour with the Boots and Advantage Card logos, and now it's white design, with the logos and the slogan 'time to treat yourself' is situated at the bottom of the card.

On the back is a space for you to signn with some information and on the right of the card is a little chip.

==How Does It Work?==

As mentioned above is the special chip, this is how it works. You hand over your card at the till then the till manager pops your card into the cash machine. After you've paid for your items, the points you've collected are added to your card and your points balance is on the bottom of your receipt. As you're collecting 4 points per £1, you're points balance will soon mount up and you will be able to treat yourself to something special.

==How Do I Pay With Points?==

A word of warning, you have to have a full amount of points before you can buy anything, so say you want to buy something that's £9.99, you can't have £9 cash and 99 points, you have to have either £9.99 cash or 999 points.

When you want to buy something with your points, hand over your item and the card and simply say you want to pay with your points. Then, you will have saved yourself some dosh and have a lovely little feeling inside you that you've treated yourself that you only do on occasions!

==What Can't I Collect Points On?==

You can't collect points on gift cards, prescriptions and baby formula milk up to six months.

==Extra Offers Available==

When you join the scheme you have the choice of many offers and clubs to choose from. You have a choice of clubs and offers such as:

Parenting Club:

This is a club new parents can jon who have an Advantage Card. On baby products (including prams, buggies, all baby toiletries, nappies, baby formula milk (after six months). Just think at how many points you could collect with a massive 10 points per £1! Just imagine of you've brought a pram for £165.00, you could collect £1.65 back!

Health Club:

This club is open to people who are 60 or over and have an Advantage Card. With this club, you get expert health advice, 10% off all branded products and 25% off all Boots own brand products.

Extra Offers Kiosk:

These are available in larger Boots stores and are easy to use. You slot your card in, and can check for special offers coupons, join the above clubs and type in your email address to recieve exclusive offers not available to anyone else.

Extra Points Offers:

Look out for these promotions instore and online. Some offers for example are: 150 extra points when you buy 2 Boots essentials products and 250 points when you buy 17 lipstick etc. all of these offers are examples of what you might find in store and take a look online.

Extra Points Days:

If you're going to do a big shop, say you're christmas shopping or getting a big treat for youreself, try and hold it off until the big points days. Most are 10 or 12 points per £1 and are a great way to build them up. I've never been on any points days but i'm sure I will soon.

Health & Beauty magazine:

This is a quarterly magazine. It contains tips on whats best for your baby, for you and some history and tried and tested products. It is FREE to Advantage Card holders or it costs £1 which is good value for money. The best thing I like about this magazine is that it has vouchers in the back!!

==A Couple Of Tips:==

* If a product is cheaper than Boots with the points discount, get it from the other shop. For example, if a bottle of shampoo is £2 in Boots, with the 8 points discount, making it £1.92, but if it's £1.80 in the neighbouring store, get it from that store. If you have in Boots the special offer, or it's cheaper, the same price or even a few pence more expensive, i'd get it from Boots. At least you get the points and you get one free if you have the offer.

* So, as the above, do not choose where you shop because of the loyalty card, especially as many shops have their own version of loyalty cards.

==Summary:==

It's the most generous loyalty card in the UK, as it gives more than most stores. It's handy to have, even though you may only go to Boots as a last resort for your photos, chirstmas or birthday presents. It's a good looking card, easy to sign up for, you can also do so online aswell as collect the same number of points online too.

With the many facilities, clubs, and extra offers and promotions available, this is most definately 1 card storing in your purse or even wallet even of you don't shop at Boots a lot!

I most definately recommend and I give a nice 5 stars. I also do recommend.

This is also my 50th review too!

Thanks for reading!
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BF99 x

Date: 20/02/2012