Changes to Tesco’s Clubcard rewards scheme have sparked fury among some shoppers who say the “simplified” scheme will mean they will gain less from their points.
Some also criticised the supermarket giant for not giving customers – including about 16 million active Clubcard users – any notice prior to the change.
The retailer’s Clubcard vouchers, sent out after shoppers accrue points, can be spent in store at Tesco and also at several restaurant chains and with other partnership companies – where some were worth twice as much and many worth four times their value, before the change.
Tesco now says all vouchers spent with its 100-plus reward scheme partners, including Pizza Express, Prezzo and Zizzi, will be worth three times the value.
Image: The Clubcard vouchers can be used on holidays and restaurant meals
A Tesco spokeswoman said: “We’ve listened to our customers and simplified our Clubcard Reward Partners so that they’re more straightforward for everyone.
“This means that from January 15, we will offer customers three times the value of their vouchers with over 100 Clubcard Reward Partners including days out, weekend breaks, holidays and more.”
Shoppers soon aired their outrage on social media.
One wrote on Twitter: “We had £89 saved up in vouchers – worth £356. Now they are worth £267.
“No advance warning, really really poor from @Tesco #tescoclubcard – been loyal Tesco customers for well over 10 years – because of clubcard. And what a load of BS about ‘making it easier’.”
Another user said: “All clubcard boosts going to 3x. Everything we chose was 4x so this is a big reduction.
“But highlight was the inane corporate-speak lathered over the announcement…’this is not a reduction in boosts, oh no, this is TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND’ How dumb are we?”
Tesco’s move has devalued the scheme, according to the editor of the Shopper Points website Anika Newjoto, who said shoppers were not given the time to spend their saved vouchers at the old rates.
She said just a small number of partners previously had offers at twice the value. These include National Express, Megabus and redspottedhanky, which will now go up to three times the value.
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However, most would go down from four to three, Ms Newjoto said.
“Loyalty schemes are meant to work two ways, not one way,” she added.
Source: Sky