The Boots Advantage card was one of the first that I ever came into contact with and I have owned one for about 15 years. As I had a Saturday job in Superdrug when I was at school that was where I bought my make up and toiletries as I got a nice staff discount. When I'd there I started shopping round a bit more and Boots became one of my favourite stores.

How it works
Boots is a chain of chemists selling a wide range of goods from make up, perfume and toiletries to glasses and baby equipment. The advantage card is their reward scheme which gives you 4 points for every pound you spend. A point is worth 1p so at 4p in the pound so they soon add up. To start collecting points you can pick up an application form in store which has a temporary card on it or download a barcode online, these can then be used to register an account and you will be sent a credit card sized card. When you make a purchase in store you just hand your card over, I find I normally get asked if I have one which is helpful as although you can have points added from a receipt it's much easier to do it at the time. The Advantage card has a number on the front which you enter at checkout when buying online.

Extra points
-In store kiosks
These machines are situated in the shops and normally offer you about half a dozen bonus points coupons, these are either extra points when you buy a particular product or extra points if you spend over a certain amount. The total spend needed for these seem to have increased from £25 to £30 or £40 in recent years so I don't use them as much as I used to.

-Parenting club
I joined the Boots parenting club when I was pregnant and this entitles me to 10 points for every £1 spent on qualifying baby products. Although Boots tend to be more expensive than the supermarkets some baby products they do have good offers when their Baby Events are on. I frequently receive mailing from the parenting club including extra advantage points offers.

-Over 60s
This is similar to the parenting club but it offers 10 points for every £1 spent on Boots brand items,

-Treat Street
This allows you to earn 1 point for every £1 spent online at New Look and Matalan among others. You can find Treat Street at www.Treatstreet.Boots.com You need to register your Advantage card with them then go to this site to link through to the store you ant to earn points from. A really easy way to earn a few extra points.

-In store promotions
Boots will often have a 10 points for every £1 spent promotional weekend and in the run up to Christmas they have special events where you can earn bonus points if you spend a certain amount.

-Mailings
Boots often send me extra bonus coupons including a double points coupon valid for my birthday month.

Spending Points
This is also really easy and you just need to ensure that you have enough points to cover the price of your item. For example if your item cost £5 you would need 500 points and you just tell the person serving you that you want to pay with your points. Points can't be used as part payment which I think is a shame but as I tend to save up my points this isn't a problem for me. I'm currently saving my points for Christmas shopping I have about £80 which I'm hoping will go even further on Boots 3 for 2 Mix and Match on gifts.

Organ Donation
When you sign up for an Advantage card you are given the option to be added to the NHS organ donor register. This is a great idea and an easy way to get yourself added to the register if you wish to do so.

Health & Beauty magazine
Another benefit of having an Advantage is that you can pick up a copy of Boots in store magazine for free. It's full of informative articles and I always make sure I pick up a copy of the latest magazine.

Would I recommend?
Yes, it's free and easy to use. I can't think of a reason not to have one if you shop in Boots.