Sweet Nectar (Nectar Card)

Member Name: edinburgher

Product:	Nectar Card
Date:	02/02/09 (190 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Points build up reasonably fast, supported by more retailers than used to be the case

Disadvantages: Some retailers are somewhat 'fringe'

I'm a sophomore Nectar card user, having previously signed up 'back in the day', when I was a fresh-faced young undergraduate who worked in a city centre cinema and thought that it made sense to get something back for the 3-4 meals a week I was buying at my local Sainsbury's metro. Applying for a card then involved a lot of faffing about with forms and points that were incredibly hard to earn.

I'm now not so fresh-faced and a scruffy beard has replaced the rosy cheeks of my youth and it appears that I'm not the only person who's made some changes in the interim! I've been terribly disappointed with Asda's home delivery service of late and have swapped over to Sainsbury's for a while as I feel they offer a basic level of courtesy that is sadly lacking by the rude sods employed as delivery drivers in my neck of the woods. The Nectar card made sense again and I'm enjoying using it.

Firstly, the application was considerably easier. After being employed by the polite {very} young chap in store that they were out of the paper forms, I breathed a sigh of relief as he let me know that the whole process could be done online. I'm a huge fan of electronic forms and the simple provision of fairly basic data had me a new card in roughly a week.

Secondly, the points seem to have been revised and while there are still some that I will never use (car servicing chains, roadside hotel chains and the like), there are some good additions where points can be collected. I like the fact that Sainsbury's now pay 2 points for each £ spent, double what they use to. I can also collect an extra point for re-using my bags. Now that's hardly a huge 'reward', but it's nice for something that is environmentally and that I was already doing on a regular basis. New retailers on the scheme include the Apple Store, Dixons and the computer retailer Dell.

A special mention should be made of the fact that Amazon now pay Nectar points (1 per £), as dooyoo users can now pay for part of their purchase with vouchers earned and get 1% back off the difference. Again, a small amount that could make all the difference over time. Another interesting retailer that I saw on the improved list was Expedia, who often crop up on cashback websites. For some of the retailers paying points you need to go through the Nectar referral link, but this doesn't seem to be the case for Expedia. This means that you could, say, get £30 worth of points for booking that break to New York (as well as the ~5-7% cashback through sites such as Quidco). Nice work if you can get it...

There are also a range of weekly special offers, whereby retailers will try and tempt you into spending with them in exchange for bonus points. Topically enough, Flying Flowers are currently offering triple points to those purchasing flowers for St Valentine's day.

There are also a range of utilities providers etc. that can earn you bonus points, as well as a Nectar branded credit card..

Spending the points can be done through the website www.nectar.com and there are a huge selection of rewards, from vouchers to support your childrens' schools, to spa days, short breaks and wine club membership. There is a handy calculator on their website so you can see what you're worth and you can also browse thematically. I'm nowhere near the amount needed for a decent reward yet, but I'm pleased with the amount I have 'earned' in less than a fortnight.

Another useful resource for those seeking to make a few pounds, earn some good quality rewards and like the brands represented. Like all such products, a certain degree of 'buy in' is required and it's only really of use to those who shop regularly. In my case, it's groceries, so I barely have to think about it.

Summary: Good points-based reward scheme that has modernised considerably over the years