Free Holiday in the USA!! (Tesco Clubcard)

Member Name: averagepunter

Product:	Tesco Clubcard
Date:	08/04/02 (720 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Real Rewards that you want, Exceptional value

Disadvantages: Makes you comulsive about using your VISA card all the time

I have always been something of a loyalty card sceptic. I think this is derived from all those credit card and petrol station schemes where you had to spend ludicrous amounts of money to obtain a cheap set of baking tins.

However, things have moved on. My initial attempts to carry WHSmiths card, Boots, Homebase etc all met with failure - but the Tesco Clubcard I have perservered with. As this is combined with my Tesco Visa Card, I get extra points on my spend in Tesco's and also points wherever else I use the card. By using the combined VISA card, I am not technically even carrying an extra card and it is surprising how quickly those points can build up.

The beauty of the Tesco's scheme is the variety of partners that you can redeem your vouchers with. And many of them are for 'real things' that you would otherwise have to spend money on. Things like RAC membership or car servicing, days out at theme parks and .....holidays.

I have just booked a £1400 holiday in the USA, and paid for £1200 with tesco vouchers. The £300 of vouchers I had collected over the past couple of years can be worth four times that if converted to holiday vouchers. Of course, I was still sceptical - imagining that when I tried to book the holiday I would be fobbed off with all kinds of excuses about availability etc that would prevent me from making a booking. However, I am pleased to report that the whole process was completed in under two weeks from the time I sent my vouchers off to Tesco. Not a hitch, and a £1,200 freebie as a reward for shopping at Tesco.

For those that are wondering, I probably spend about £300 a month in Tesco - not an unreasonable figure for a family - and £200 per month on Tesco fuel. The key to success is using Tesco and your VISA card as much as possible. It requires some discipline, but the rewards are worth it, and I do not buy things from Tesco if I know I can get them cheaper elsewhere. e.g.CD's.

I
n total, I have received over £1,400 of 'rewards' from the Tesco scheme over the past twelve months and whilst I have now used all my vouchers, I will begin collecting again and maybe look forward to another 'free' holiday in a couple of years time.

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