Not as much of an advantage as you think (Boots Advantage Card)

Member Name: TomBoy79

Product:	Boots Advantage Card
Date:	26/10/01 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to earn points, Easy to spend points

Disadvantages: Boots is expensive

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE CARD ALL ABOUT?

The advantage card is yet another loyalty scheme. Not just any old loyalty scheme though, it is one of the more generous offering one advantage point for every 25p you spend. For you non-mathematical types out there this means 4 points for every pound….thus equalling a 4% return!

HOW DO YOU EARN POINTS?

Firstly you need to get yourself an Advantage card, it’s free upon completion of a short registration form. Then, as mentioned above, you need to spend your hard earned dosh down at your local Boots store. You need to provide your advantage card when paying as points cannot be added later.

Advantage points are located in most stores providing money saving coupons and ways to collect additional points. Sample coupons include things like getting 75 free points when you spend £15 on No 7 cosmetics. This is a sure fire way to build up your points quickly.

Points can be earned on most products. The main exception to this is medicine and prescriptions….I’m not too sure why this is but no one seems to argue and we all just accept it!

HOW CAN YOU SPEND YOUR HARD EARNED POINTS?

Points are only redeemable against certain items, these are shown by a * next to the product on the shelf. You can also treat yourself to beauty treatments such as facials if you’ve spent enough. You need to have earned enough points to pay for the entire product….this is the one down side to this card.

ANYTHING ELSE?

With an advantage card you receive a magazine every few months with health, beauty and diet tips. As well as being quite an interesting read the magazine comes with a double points voucher which can be used twice and some money saving coupons. I’m not sure if everyone receives this magazine and offers….my mother never does and gets very jealous at all my discounts and extra points!

IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?


Well, yes and no. The things you can get for free are great….who doesn’t appreciate something for nothing?!? However, Boots do tend to be more expensive than the likes of Superdrug and Savers. Take Vaseline Intensive Care deodorant spray….this costs £1.99 in Boots but can be purchased from Savers for £1.49. In the scheme of things you save 4% at Boots so the deodorant is really £1.91 (ish), still a lot higher than Savers. I used to be guilty of buying products from Boots just to get the points without shopping around. I have now seen the error of my ways and only go to Boots for the more unusual gift items, just in emergencies or when they have good 3 for 2 offers or buy one get one frees. That’s not to say I’m complaining at my recent freebies (shower gel, moisturiser, some make up and a photo frame)….but are they really free?? It seems to me like you never truly get something for nothing!

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