How to make your loyalty points go further

published 7 November 2008

Most of us have a loyalty card of one form or another that gives us points to spend on purchases. But if you always use these points in store, "stop now and consider whether you can get better value using them elsewhere", says Rosie Murray-West in The Daily Telegraph.

Most points are worth little in store. Tesco Clubcard points and Boots Advantage Card points are worth a penny each off shopping, while Nectar points are worth just 0.5p. But there are ways to make them go further. For Clubcard and Nectar, check the websites for details of deals it is often better value to use your points online. For example, you can buy a year's membership of English Heritage for just over £10 using Tesco Clubcard vouchers, when usually it would cost £42. Advantage card holders should maximise their points by checking the machines in store where you can print off extra discount vouchers.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.