Exact expiry dates for major loyalty schemes revealed – and you can lose ALL points in just a month | The Sun

SHOPPERS looking to cash in on precious loyalty points will want to use them before they expire and are lost entirely.

A number of retailers and chains run loyalty schemes where customers are rewarded for making purchases.

It's a great way to bag freebies and discounts for doing your weekly shop as you would anyway.

In most cases, you can sign up to loyalty card schemes online by downloading an app on to your smartphone.

But there are terms and conditions attached to them and often any points earned expire after a certain period.

Vix Leyton, consumer expert at hotukdeals.com, said it's always worth checking when any loyalty points go out of date to avoid disappointment.

Read more in Retail

B&M shoppers rush to buy ‘stylish’ furniture scanning at £1 instead of £60

Aldi makes change to shopping hours following Tesco – customers are divided

She told The Sun: "There is nothing worse than going to use a card or a voucher and finding they have expired and often there is no wiggle room to negotiate due to the automation on the tills.

"Check the expiry dates and tuck them in somewhere safe in your wallet or bag to use them as soon as possible or, if you are saving them, make sure you know when they run out.

When exactly your loyalty card points will expire depends on each scheme, so it's always worth checking how each one works.

That said, The Sun has done some of the hard work for you and whittled down a list of the major retailer's loyalty schemes, and when your points expire with them:

Most read in Money

Tesco

Tesco Clubcard points are valid for two years after being issued.

That means if you earned any in August 2021, they would have to be redeemed by the end of this month.

Tesco recently warned more than £11.5million in Clubcard points are set to expire at the end of this month.

McDonald's

The home of the Big Mac launched its MyMcDonald's Rewards loyalty scheme in January 2022.

Fast food fans collect points by buying items and exchanging them for their favourite meals.

But, any points will expire on the last day of the 12th month after they were earned.

That means any points earned on August 1, 2022, will expire on August 30, 2023.

Boots

Boots' Advantage Card launched in 1997, offering customers points on purchases and exclusive discounts on products.

It recently changed the number of points you receive for each £1 spent from four to three.

Meanwhile, any points you build up can be lost for good if you don't use your Advantage Card for a year.

Morrisons

Morrisons is another supermarket that offers customers loyalty points through its More Card.

Shoppers who earn 5,000 can convert them into a "Fiver" to spend in-store or online.

However, if you don't swipe your More card in-store or online for 52 weeks or more, the points are removed from your account.

Asda

Asda shoppers can rack up points through its Rewards scheme.

Once you've accrued enough you transfer them into vouchers to spend on a future shop.

But, there are some timelines to bear in mind.

You only have three months from creating a voucher to spend it.

Meanwhile, you only have six months to transfer any points into vouchers.

Lidl

Lidl's loyalty scheme is different to the vast majority of other supermarkets in that you don't collect points.

However, you earn a "Coupon Plus" after spending money on your shop.

Anyone who bags one has to redeem it within one calendar month as it doesn't roll over.

That means if you earned a coupon on August 9, you would have to redeem it by August 31.

Starbucks

Starbucks customers can earn three "Stars" for every £1 spent – 150 stars bags you a free drink.

Build up to 450 stars and you can get extra shots of espresso, selected syrups and whipped cream on the house.

But, any points earned expire after two years, after which point you'll lose them forever.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's customers can earn points when shopping which can be used towards future purchases through its Nectar Card scheme.

Though, unlike Tesco's Clubcard scheme, there's no expiry date on Nectar Card loyalty points.

However, if you don't collect or spend any points for a year, the retailer closes your account.

Iceland

One of the lesser-known loyalty card schemes, Iceland customers can earn £1 for every £20 saved into their Bonus Card.

Shoppers can also get exclusively lower prices if they're signed up.

But bear in mind, any cash saved into one of the accounts expires after 24 months.

Superdrug

Boots' biggest rival, Superdrug customers can build up loyalty points through the retailer's Health and Beautycard to redeem on rewards.

You do have to spend a minimum of £5 to earn any points though.

Meanwhile, any rewards you do earn are valid for 24 months after which they become invalid.

Robert Dyas

Hardware retailer Robert Dyas unveiled its MyDyas loyalty scheme in May this year.

Shoppers are rewarded with loyalty points when making purchases as well as personalised offers.

But when it comes to points, customers have to use them within two years of the date they were earned or otherwise they'll lose them.

Waterstones

Waterstones runs nearly 300 bookstores across the UK and Northern Europe.

Customers can also pick up points and redeem them in shops, cafes and online through the Waterstones Plus loyalty card.

But if you earn points and then don't use them or your account within 12 months they disappear for good.

Co-op

Co-op Membership offers customers exclusive prices and points on purchases.

For every £1 spent you bag 2p to spend on a future shop.

But, like Waterstone's scheme, if you don't buy anything from Co-op or don't use the Membership card for 12 months or more, your reward points will expire.

A membership also costs £1.

KFC

The home of fried chicken KFC changed its loyalty scheme in September last year meaning customers can now win prizes instead of earning points.

However, you can still lose out on prizes if you don't redeem them within 40 days.

Greggs

Greggs, like other loyalty schemes, offers customers a free sweet treat on their birthday.

But you have to snap it up fast – they expire within one calendar month.

Costa

Costa customers can bag themselves free coffees by earning "Beans" – for every 10 you get a free beverage.

But any beans stored up that aren't used within three months are lost.

Up until earlier this month, fans needed just eight "Beans" to get a free drink.

Burger King

The home of the Whopper gifts customers points for each purchase worth £1 or over.

They can then use these points to redeem items from the menu.

Read More on The Sun

Dani Dyer fans shocked as they realise her ‘real age’ on birthday

Aldi shoppers are racing to buy new air fresheners that smell like Jo Malone

However, any points in your account expire after six months of no transactions at Burger King.

So you'll need to make at least one purchase every six months to avoid losing all your points.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

Source: Read Full Article