Earn reward points but you need to spend a lot (Nectar Card)

Member Name: ukboltonboy

Product:	Nectar Card
Date:	09/11/09 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wide range of stores, online access, wide range of ways to spend points

Disadvantages: Need to spend a lot to get enough points for decent rewards

The Nectar card is effectively a loyalty card which allows you to earn points on money spent at selected outlets. There are two different types of card - the general nectar card and the nectar credit card. You can earn points at actual shops as well as online. Outlets include Sainsburys, BP petrol stations, recently Homebase and many more. A good feature of the card is that if you go to nectar.com and then access certain online retailers you will earn points on your purchase. This includes sites like Play.com and Amazon.co.uk although you do have to visit nectar.com and access these sites from there before you put anything in your basket to earn points.

A few down sides. A few months ago my points were not added on from Amazon purchase but nectar did sort the problem out fairly quickly becauase it was a common problem. Also, it does take a lot of spending to build up your points although you are regularly send vouchers to gain bonus points. You are also sent a statement every quarter to outline your points but it is much easier to logon to view your statement where you can then also use points to make purchases or earn points through the online stores (e-stores).

In terms of rewards, 500 nectar points will get you £2.50 off at Argos or Sainsburys, or you can buy things like CDs with your points on Nectar.com but again these seem expensive compared to the money you spend to earn the points (at Sainabsurys or Fords this is 2 points per £1 spent).

In my opinion this card does not reward you as well as things like the Tesco Clubcard although obviously in this case you can earn points in a much wider range of outlets.

Summary: Good to have but don't spend at stores just because you get nectar points