Top Seven Rewards Programs in the UK

Points hacking has become a popular way to get more bang for your buck. Whether you’re collecting frequent flyer miles for cheaper flights, or getting rewarded for your grocery spend, there are endless ways to optimize your spending and get rewarded. We’ve done some digging and found the best loyalty programs and rewards schemes in the UK so you can get the most value for your points-hacking efforts. Here are our top picks to add to your digital wallet.

1. Avios

Avios is the UK’s leading travel rewards program. It’s the official loyalty program of national carrier, British Airways, but its long list of partners means you can earn and spend your Avios with a multitude of airlines and retailers. There’s no set earn rate or value of Avios, as it depends on the earn source and redemption method, but if you’re smart about how you spend and collect points, you could score a discounted or even free flight.

You can collect Avios in all kinds of ways, from flying on BA and partner airlines like Qatar, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, or through spending on hotels, retail and car rental at its list of over 2,000 partners. You can also get Avios-earning credit cards with banks like American Express and Barclaycard. Avios-earning cards are often considered the best rewards credit cards in the UK.

2. Tesco Clubcard

In the UK, just about every supermarket has its own loyalty program, so you can ensure all your grocery spending is put to work. But Tesco is touted to have the best value program with its Clubcard. You earn 1 point per £1 spent, and each point is generally worth £0.01. You can then turn your points into vouchers. You can collect and redeem Clubcard points online and in-store at Tesco stores and through its partners.

3. Nectar Card

Nectar is supermarket rival Sainsbury’s rewards offering, which also earns at a rate of 1 point per £1 spent. But with 500 points redeemable for £2.50, the redemption value is substantially lower than the Tesco Clubcard. Nonetheless, you can collect Nectar points in-store and online with Sainsbury’s and its partners like Argos.

4. Boots Advantage Card

The Boots Advantage card has been around for many years and remains a popular loyalty program to this day. With special discounts available to students and new mums, as well as an earn rate of 3 points per £1 spent, it’s the best way to ensure you’re being rewarded for your health and beauty spending. There are regular points booster events to help you maximize your points balance, and you can redeem points in-store and online when checking out to get money off your shop.

5. Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero and Pret a Manger

We’ve bundled coffee rewards into one they all offer a similar suite of perks. Costa Coffee’s Costa Club will reward you with a free coffee after 10 cups purchased, though you can get a special green stamp for using a reusable cup and score a free coffee after just five purchases instead. At Caffe Nero, nine drinks stand between you and your next freebie, while Pret’s Pret Perks allow you to collect stars, with a free perk offered after your 10th star.

Ultimately, it depends on your coffee preference and proximity to stores to determine which loyalty program you’ll benefit from the most. But, it does pay to visit the same brand on the regular, to maximize your opportunities to collect rewards and freebies.

6. TasteCard

Less of a rewards program and more of a discount passport, TasteCard entitles you to either 2 for 1, 50% off or 25% off at thousands of participating UK restaurant chains, like Pizza Express, GBK and Domino’s, and even coffee shops.

You can get access to TasteCard from £7.99 per month, which means you can earn back your outlay fairly quickly. However, look out for promotions and free trial periods, as you may be able to score a discount — that’s savings on top of savings!

7. TopCashback

TopCashback is the UK’s leading cashback site, allowing you to earn real cash back on your purchases with no strings attached. TopCashback earns a commission from retailers and splits that with you, the customer. You can earn cashback on retailers like Argos, Marks & Spencer, Curry’s, ASOS, Look Fantastic, and others. Just sign up, and click through to your favorite websites and shop as usual. Top Cashback will track your transactions and pay out a percentage into your cashback account.

Emma Edwards is a finance copywriter and blogger, on a mission to humanize the financial services industry by creating meaningful content that’s accessible and empowering. You’ll find her penning money tips at her blog, The Broke Generation, sharing financial insights on Instagram, or injecting life into content for her business clients.