A great points scheme (Tesco Clubcard)

Member Name: SamPerry

Product:	Tesco Clubcard
Date:	29/08/08 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Money off vouchers

Disadvantages: None

Tesco clubcard is a points scheme that Tesco offer for customers who purchase items at their store and own a clubcard. The more money you spend at Tesco then the more money you get back from them, it's as simple as that. So if you ordinarily shop at Tesco anyway, it is a very good scheme. You can also get points at Tesco petrol stations whenever you fill up with petrol.

There are three ways to apply for a clubcard, you can pick up a form instore, complete this and send it off or call the clubcard helpline and they will register you over the phone. If you pick up a form instore, you will find that it contains a temporary clubcard, you can use this immediately to start collecting points, also instead of completing the form and sending it to Tesco, you can register the temporary card online at www.tesco.com and they will send you your permanent card within three weeks.

My card arrived very quickly, the envelope contained a credit card style clubcard, but it also contained two small keyring style clubcards. I was very impressed with this as it meant that I would never forget my clubcard, as I would always have my keys on me whenever I went shopping.

You receive 1 point for every pound you spend at Tesco stores or the petrol stations. On the bottom of your receipt you will find a running total of how many points you have accumulated so far, it will also tell you how many points you collected each visit. You can now also get 1 clubcard point for every carrier bag you re-use, this therefore encourages people to re-use their bags rather than taking new ones, which helps towards caring for the environment.

Clubcard statements are sent to you every three months. The letter advises you how many clubcard points you earned in the last three months and contains the equivalent amount in money off vouchers. Ie, if you have 1400 points, then you get £14 in money off vouchers, these vouchers aren't just money off certain products, they are full money off vouchers. So if I spend £40 on a shop, I hand my vouchers in at the checkout and they will deduct £14 from my total bill, therefore the savings can be excellent. You may also exchange your vouchers for many different days out, including Alton towers, Legoland and Thorpe park to name but a few. The thing I like most about the money off vouchers is that there is no time limit to you claiming these back, so if you like you could save them all up until Christmas and then buy your Christmas presents with them!

The statement also includes money off vouchers for specific items, they tailor make this for you, so they know what items you usually buy and send you money off vouchers for those products. They will also send you vouchers for extra clubcard points when you purchase certain product, like 200 extra clubcard points if you buy a bag of Huggies nappies. I find this extremely beneficial as I would be buying these products anyway, so im gaining extra money by buying the items I usually do!!

I really enjoy seeing how many clubcard points I can accrue during the three months, I think the scheme is much better than some of its competitors and makes it worthwhile to shop at Tesco.

Summary: The more you buy, the more money you get back