The Best Loyalty Cards For Students UK
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.
Many top-name brands and companies offer loyalty cards in the UK, and they’re really beneficial for staying in the know with exclusive discounts and deals. They’ll also help you save money by offering loyalty card holders special prices, or rewards after spending a specific amount on shopping.
Here are our fave loyalty cards for students in the UK, which are definitely worth getting.
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What are loyalty cards?
Loyalty cards in the UK are cards given by businesses, such as supermarkets, to customers, rewarding them for buying their goods/services.
It’s an incentive scheme, where points or credits are collected when spending money at the business, with rewards at certain goalposts (like a £5 voucher when you hit 5000 points).
You might also be offered deals earlier than other customers who haven’t got a loyalty card, or have access to bigger discounts.
Loyalty cards UK
1. Superdrug Health & Beauty card
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, too.
Get a Superdrug student discount with us at Student Beans.
2. Subway Rewards card
If Subway is your favourite place to go for lunch, a Subway Rewards card 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.
3. Starbucks
If you can’t go a day without your caffeine fix, Starbucks Rewards 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
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
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!
Don’t forget to check out our cheap and easy uni student meals and recipes for one before you’ve done your food shop, to help with your inspo!
6. Costa Club
Joining the Costa Club will allow you to earn 1 ‘bean’ (point) for every drink you buy. Once you’ve bought 10, you can a free drink. Plus, you’ll get free cake on your birthday and get extra beans if you use a reusable coffee cup!
7. Greggs rewards
Receive a digital stamp every time you buy something from Greggs. Collect 9 stamps with the Greggs app rewards and your 10th item will be free! You’ll also receive birthday freebies on your special day.
8. Waterstones Plus
Lover of books? This is probably your dream come true. Sign up to Waterstones Plus as a student and you’ll receive an additional 5% off your purchases.
Earn a ‘Plus Stamp’ for every £10 you spend in-store, online, or in Waterstone cafes, with no minimum required. You’ll also be in the loop for exclusive drops and offers.
Save even more on your love of books with a Waterstones student discount.
How to add loyalty cards to Apple Wallet
To add loyalty cards to your Apple Wallet, the loyalty card issuer has to support the Apple Wallet app.
If the company or merchant does support Apple Wallet, then you add can loyalty cards by the following way:
- Open the app/email or other communication that contains your loyalty card
- Tap ‘add to Apple Wallet’ (if you don’t see this, then the loyalty card isn’t supported for Apple Wallet)
- Then follow the on-screen instructions or add tap in the right-hand corner
Check out Student Beans student discounts for more amazing savings on your student budget.
