The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme in 2023 - Poundly

From Clubcards and Nectar cards, to reward apps and more, we’re searching for the best supermarket rewards scheme in the UK in 2023. Here are some of the most popular ones and what they offer.

Tesco Clubcard – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme for Exclusive Pricing

This is one of the oldest and most widely used loyalty cards, with over 19 million members. You can collect points on every purchase at Tesco and its partners, and redeem them for vouchers or discounts. You can also enjoy exclusive deals and offers with Clubcard Prices and Clubcard Plus, which gives you 10% off selected items twice a month.

Pros of the Tesco Clubcard

You can earn one point for every £1 spent at Tesco and one point for every £2 spent on Tesco fuel, Tesco Bank products and Tesco Mobile services.
You can boost your points by up to three times their value when you exchange them for rewards at over 150 partners, such as Pizza Express, Cineworld, Avios and RAC.
You can get exclusive Clubcard prices on selected products in-store and online, saving you money on your groceries.
You can access additional benefits if you subscribe to Clubcard Plus for £7.99 a month, such as 10% off two big shops up to £200 each month, 10% off selected brands in-store, double data on Tesco Mobile and no foreign exchange fees on Tesco Bank credit card.

Cons of the Tesco Clubcard

You need to spend a minimum of £150 in a three-month period to receive any vouchers.
You may not find the rewards partners appealing or relevant to your interests or needs.
You may forget to use your vouchers before they expire or lose them.
You may end up spending more than you need to at Tesco or its partners to earn more points or take advantage of the Clubcard prices.
The Clubcard Plus subscription may not be worth it if you don’t shop regularly at Tesco or use its other services.

Asda Rewards – The Best Supermarket Rewards Scheme for Cashback

This is a new scheme that launched in 2022, and it works through a smartphone app. You can earn Asda Pounds by buying selected products or completing missions on the app. You can then use your Asda Pounds to shop at Asda stores or online. There’s also a festive treat with a Christmas Savings Card to get extra bonuses.

Pros of the Asda Rewards Scheme

Customers can earn up to 1% cash back on every purchase at Asda, which is redeemable as vouchers or transferred to a bank account.
Customers can also earn extra cashback on selected products and services from Asda’s partners, such as petrol stations, restaurants, travel agencies and more.
Customers can access exclusive offers and deals on Asda’s website and app, such as free delivery, price match guarantee and seasonal promotions.
Customers can enjoy a range of benefits from Asda’s partners, such as discounts on insurance, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.

Cons of the Asda Rewards Scheme

Customers need to spend at least £500 per year at Asda to qualify for the cashback scheme, which may not be feasible for some shoppers.
Customers need to pay an annual fee of £36 to join the program. This may not be worth it for some shoppers depending on their spending habits and preferences.
Customers need to use the Asda Rewards credit card to earn cashback. That not be suitable for some shoppers who prefer other payment methods or have a low credit score.
Customers may face some limitations and restrictions on how they can use their cashback and vouchers. These include expiry dates, minimum spend requirements and exclusions.

Sainsbury’s Nectar Card – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme for Versatility

This is another well-known loyalty card, with over 18 million members. You can earn one point for every £1 spent at Sainsbury’s or its partners, such as Vue cinemas or Argos. You get personalised offers and discounts with Smartshop and Nectar Connect, which is linkable to your card to other apps and websites.

We also have a dedicated breakdown of the Nectar Card if you want more detail.

Pros of the Sainsbury’s Nectar Card

You can earn up to 3 points for every £2 you spend at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing when you pay with a Sainsbury’s Bank credit card and scan your Nectar card or app.
You can earn 1 point for every £5 you spend elsewhere with a Sainsbury’s Bank credit card.
You get personalised offers and bonus points based on your shopping habits and preferences.
You can access exclusive deals and discounts from Nectar partners such as eBay, Sky, Esso and more.
You can use your points to pay for your shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos and eBay, or exchange them for vouchers and gift cards from a wide range of retailers.
You can also use your points to book holidays, flights, hotels, car hire and more with Nectar Travel.

Cons of the Sainsbury’s Nectar Card

You need to spend a lot of money to accumulate enough points for significant rewards. For example, you need 500 points to get £2.50 off your shopping, which means you need to spend £250 at Sainsbury’s or £2,500 elsewhere with a Sainsbury’s Bank credit card.
You may be tempted to spend more than you need or want to in order to earn more points or take advantage of offers.
You may miss out on better deals or prices from other retailers or providers if you only shop with Nectar partners.
You may forget to use your points or lose them if your card is lost, stolen or damaged. You can protect your points by registering your card online or on the app, but you still need to remember to check your balance and expiry dates regularly.
You may have limited choices or availability when redeeming your points for rewards, especially during peak times or seasons. Some rewards may also have additional terms and conditions or fees that apply.

Lidl Plus Rewards App – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme for Competitions

This is a digital-only scheme that works through an app. You can get coupons and discounts every time you shop at Lidl, as well as a scratch card with every purchase that can win you prizes ranging from 25p to £20 off your next shop.

Pros of the Lidl Plus Rewards App

You can save money on your groceries by activating and scanning coupons every week. The coupons are personalized based on your purchase history and preferences.
You can win prizes every time you shop by scratching a digital card on the app. The prizes range from free products to cash vouchers.
You can access other benefits such as partner offers, magazines, recipes and store information on the app.

Cons of the Lidl Plus Rewards App

You need a smartphone and internet connection to use the app and the coupons. If you forget your phone or have technical issues, you may miss out on the savings.
You need to scan your app at the checkout every time you shop to get the coupons and prizes. This may add extra time and hassle to your shopping experience.
You may receive unwanted marketing messages from Lidl or its partners if you agree to share your personal data and purchase behaviour with them.

Morrisons More – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme for Personalised Offers

This is a scheme that rewards you with points for every £1 spent at Morrisons or its partners, such as Amazon or Caffe Nero. You can also get personalised offers and benefits on the More App or website. You can redeem your points for vouchers or donate them to charity.

Pros of the Morrisons More Scheme

You can earn “More” points on selected products in-store, online and on fuel. Every 5000 points can be converted into a Fiver to spend at Morrisons.
You can access More Card Exclusive Prices on some items by scanning your card or app. These are special discounts that are only available to More Card members.
You can get personalised offers and coupons based on your shopping habits. These can be found in the Morrisons More app or printed at the checkout.
You can win a Basket Bonus when you shop and scan your card or app. This is a random reward that could be anything from money off your next shop to free treats.

Cons of the Morrisons More Scheme

You cannot earn More Points on all of your spendings, only on some products and categories. This makes it harder to accumulate points compared to other schemes like Tesco Clubcard or Nectar at Sainsbury’s.
You have to download the app or use a physical card to participate in the scheme. If you don’t have the app, you will miss out on some features like choosing when to convert your points into Fivers or seeing your offers online.
You have to link your morrisons.com and Morrisons More accounts if you shop online. Otherwise, you will not be able to earn points or access Exclusive Prices on your online orders.

Marks & Spencer Sparks Card – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme for Freebies

This is a scheme that gives you sparks for every purchase at Marks & Spencer, as well as for reviews, donations or recycling. You can use your sparks to access exclusive offers, events and experiences, as well as priority access to sales and new collections.

Pros of the Marks & Spencer Sparks Card

You get personalised offers on the things you love, based on your shopping preferences and habits.
You have a chance to get what you’re buying for free every week in-store, as a random Sparks customer is treated to their shopping for free.
You receive little thank yous, just because, such as free chocolates, flowers or vouchers.
You can choose a charity that M&S will make a donation to every time you shop.
You can enjoy a free hot drink after buying six hot drinks in-store.
You can use the Scan & Shop feature on the M&S app to scan your items and pay without queuing at the checkout.
You can collect stamps every time you buy an M&S hot drink and get your seventh one for free.
You can receive email receipts for transactions made in-store.

Cons of the Marks & Spencer Sparks Card

You do not earn points or cash back with the Sparks card, unlike other loyalty schemes.
Personalised offers may not always be relevant or appealing to you, depending on your shopping habits.
The chance to get your shopping for free is very slim, as it is based on a random draw.
The little thank yous are not guaranteed and may vary in value and quality.
The free hot drink offer is only valid in M&S cafes, which may not be convenient or accessible for some customers.
The Scan & Shop feature may not work properly or may not be available in some stores.
The stamps for hot drinks expire after 12 months and can only be redeemed in M&S cafes.
Email receipts may not be preferred by some customers who like to have paper receipts for their records or returns.

Waitrose MyWaitrose Card – The Best Supermarket Reward Scheme Meat & Fish Discounts

This is a scheme that gives you benefits for shopping at Waitrose, such as free tea or coffee, free newspaper, free magazine, free delivery and more. You can also get discounts on selected items and access to competitions and prizes.

Pros of the Waitrose MyWaitrose Card

Personalised vouchers every week based on your shopping habits
Free hot drinks from self-serve machines with any purchase in store
Exclusive savings on a variety of products, online and in store
Free Waitrose Food and Waitrose Drinks magazines, online and in store
Member-only competitions for a chance to win prizes
20% off selected meat and fish from the counter every Saturday and Friday respectively
5% off dry cleaning and laundry services at selected stores
10% off Waitrose Cookery School courses
Scan Pay Go service for faster checkout
Up to 25% cashback on Waitrose Good Health products for Vitality members

Cons of the Waitrose MyWaitrose Card

Subject to availability and exclusions
Minimum online spend of £40 and delivery charges apply
Offer end date as stated on the voucher
Customer complaints about changes to the scheme and technical issues
Need to register online and have a myWaitrose or myPartnership card

And the Best Supermarket Rewards Scheme is…

In my opinion, you just can’t beat the ASDA rewards scheme. While it’s relatively new, we appreciate the fact it gives you straightforward pounds, rather than points. Not to mention, ASDA is one of the most affordable supermarkets according to our breakdown of the cheapest supermarkets in the UK in 2023.

But there may be others that suit your needs better. You should compare the benefits and drawbacks of each scheme before deciding which one to join. However, in most cases, these schemes are absolutely free. If you shop at these supermarkets, it’s some passive perks that you just need to scan your card or app to qualify for.

Fans of the affordable shopping at Lidl can’t go wrong with the (admittedly) limited rewards scheme, while fans of more expensive supermarkets like Waitrose and M&S can get an even more premium experience than usual.