The Best Loyalty Cards For Students & How To Make The Most Of Them

Loyalty cards are a lifesaver when it comes to budgeting and freebies.

Like seriously, loyalty cards are a student’s best friend. When you’re paying at most shops, they’ll ask you if you have a loyalty card and if you’d like one, and while it might seem like you’re hoarding pieces of plastic and taking up space in your wallet, some of them are seriously useful. Here are our fave loyalty cards for students which are definitely worth getting.

1. Superdrug

Credit: Instagram @Superdrug

Superdrug’s Health & Beauty card is a lifesaver for getting essential household items and cosmetics. From shampoo to toothpaste to vitamins, every time you make a purchase either in-store or online you’ll gain 1 point for every £1 you spend. 100 points will get you £1 off a purchase, 200 £2 off and so on. While this will require you to build up points by spending a lot, you’ll be able to use your points to pay for part of your purchases, while paying for the rest yourself. You’ll also get access to exclusive member discounts and best of all you can get a 10% student discount in-store by using your Student Beans account too.

2. Subcard

Credit: Instagram @Subway_ukireland

If Subway is your favourite place to go for lunch, a Subcard can help you save some cash in the long run. You can download the app or get a physical card to receive 10 points per £1 you spend, but you’ll need to make sure your card is registered or you’ll only get half the points and miss out on the freebies. Points will allow you to get free things, 100 points is a free drink, 200 points is a free snack, 500 points is a free six-inch sub or salad and 1,000 points is a free footlong sub. If you use your card twice within a week, you’ll also get double points. You can also get points by inviting your friends into your Subsquad, and whenever 1 person makes a purchase, if you make another one within the next 4 hours you’ll both get 50 bonus points!

3. Starbucks

Credit: Instagram @Starbucksuk

If you can’t go a day without your caffeine fix, the Starbucks app and membership scheme is a great way to help you save some money. You’ll need to download the app and upload money to your virtual Starbucks card to be able to make the most out of their membership. Once you’ve done this you can order ahead via the app (or pay using the app in-store) but ordering ahead will get you some bonuses! By ordering ahead you won’t be charged extra for using a dairy-free milk alternative or for syrup in your drink! Plus, every time you make a purchase you’ll gain 3 stars for every £1 you spend and for every 150 stars you collect, you’ll get a free drink. Once you gain 450 stars you’ll reach gold status meaning you get extra shots, free whipped cream, free syrups and dairy-free alternatives even when you don’t order ahead!

4. Nando’s Card

Credit: Instagram @Nandosuk

If you’re a Nando’s superfan, a Nando’s card can help you to earn some free food on your visits. You will add your card to your virtual wallet and tap it during your visit or when ordering online, to earn a chilli for every £7 you spend. Chilli points mean rewards, if you get 3 you’ll get a free 1/4 chicken or starter, if you get 6 you’ll get a free 1/2 chicken or wrap, burger or pita and if you get 10 you’ll get a whole chicken or combo meal with regular sides. Best of all when you claim a reward your points don’t reset, so if you’ve earned 3 chilli points and redeemed them you can keep going until you reach 10.

5. Tesco Clubcard

Credit: Instagram @Tescofood

If you do your weekly shop in Tesco, a Clubcard is a must. Whenever you make a purchase either in-store or online you’ll earn 1 point for every £1 you spend (or every £2 if you’re buying fuel at a Tesco petrol station). Every point you earn is worth a penny but you can also trade them in for discounts at other high street stores to help you save. You’ll also receive your vouchers based on the number of points you’ve collected every 3 months so you can spend them. While you can use them while shopping in Tesco, the best way is to cash them in with a Tesco Reward Partner, to boost their value to up to three times as much. Reward Partners include Disney+, PizzaExpress, 16-25 Railcard, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Zizzi.

So, next time you’re doing your shopping and the cashier asks if you have or want a loyalty card remember to say yes or sign-up if you don’t because it’s definitely worth it!