As Boots cuts back on its Advantage loyalty scheme, we explain how you can make the most of a bad situation and maximise the points you earn.
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Reducing the points on offer from the Boots Advantage card
The Boots Advantage loyalty card allows you to earn loyalty points when you shop at Boots, which can then be cashed in for a range of rewards.
However, the Advantage card is becoming less rewarding.
Previously scanning your Advantage card when you spent at Boots meant you would get four points for every £1 spent either in store on online with Boots.
Every point is worth 1p, so once you’ve built up 100 points you will have £1 to spend.
This has now dropped down to three points for each £1 you spend.
Put another way, you're effectively getting 3p back for every £1 you spend (albeit in points rather than cash), which is more generous than most other loyalty schemes, especially Tesco Clubcard and Nectar points.
Pete Markey, chief marketing officer at Boots, said that shoppers wanted to be “rewarded with on-the-spot lower prices and instant value”, which is why along with the reduced points levels, further specific discounts will be on offer in different ways.
For example, cardholders will get 10% off Boots own-brand items, while Price Advantage ‒ which allows cardholders to get exclusive discounts of up to a third off on certain items ‒ will be expanded to more than 800 products.
Here are some tips on earning extra Boots Advantage points to make the most out of the loyalty scheme.
Earn points as you shop with a reward credit card
Cash in on special points events
Don’t just shop for toiletries
Boots sells more than sun cream and shower gel.
You can also buy big-ticket items like hairdryers and even kitchen appliances.
Let’s say you spent £279 on a Beko freezer. That would mean you earned 837 points, worth £8.37.
Just make sure you’ve compared prices elsewhere to ensure you are getting a good deal before heading to the checkout.
Don't just delete the emails
Boots sends out regular emails to Advantage cardholders packed full of ways to earn extra points.
That might be details of the latest mega points event or a coupon to use to earn bonus points on selected purchases.
Get the Boots App
Join the clubs
Boots has a couple of clubs available exclusively to Advantage cardholders.
The Parenting Club offers those who are pregnant up to when their child turns three a higher eight points for every £1 spent on baby products.
It also dishes out personalised offers for you and baby plus free gifts at certain times of the year.
Meanwhile, members of the More Treats for Over-60s club also get eight points for every £1 they spend on Boots-branded products.
You can bag a further 200 points for having a hearing check-up.
Use your eyes
Advantage cardholders can earn one point for every £1 spent at Boots Opticians.
So, the next time you need an eye test or new prescription glasses it’s worth heading over to a store.
You could also earn regular points by getting your contact lenses with Boots Opticians.
Print your snaps
Want to print some holiday snaps or make a personalised gift? It’s worth doing it through Boots Photo to earn extra points.
You can earn three points for every £1 spent at Boots Photo, while members of the Parenting Club can earn eight points for every £1 spent.