Did somebody say freebies? Count us in.
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 — aka comes with freebies and exciting rewards.
In the UK, many brands and companies offer loyalty cards, which is a great way to receive exclusive discounts, deals, and the occasional freebie. They'll also help you save money by offering loyalty card holders special prices, or rewards after spending a specific amount on shopping.
Obviously, an absolute essential is making sure that you're signed up to Student Beans, so you can get student discounts across hundreds of your favourite brands. With the Student Beans app, you can also access in-store discounts just by flashing your student ID, what could be easier?
Anyways, here are the best loyalty cards that come with the best rewards.
What are loyalty cards?
Loyalty cards are everywhere in the UK retail scene, and they're super effective at keeping customers coming back for more, especially at supermarkets. These programmes are all about building customer loyalty by giving shoppers real benefits that make them want to keep buying and feel more connected to the brands they love.
How do they work? Customers collect points or credits based on how much they spend. Every time you buy something, you rack up some points. These points then turn into a kind of 'digital cash' that you can use for all sorts of rewards. For instance, you might swap 5000 points for a £5 voucher to use on your next shop. It's a pretty straightforward financial perk that makes using your loyalty card a no-brainer, especially if you're a student.
But it's not just about the money. Loyalty cardholders often get a bunch of other cool stuff too. Think early access to sales — you get to snag those discounted items before anyone else. Plus, cardholders often qualify for bigger, exclusive discounts on certain products or even entire categories, making their shopping trips much cheaper than for non-cardholders. These extra goodies not only save you cash but also make you feel special and valued, which really boosts the whole customer experience.
Loyalty cards are also a smart way for businesses to gather valuable info on what customers buy. They can use this data to create personalised offers and promotions, making the rewards even more relevant and tempting for each individual shopper. This data-driven approach means more targeted marketing and smarter spending of promotional budgets, which is a win-win for both the business and the customer.
The best loyalty cards and rewards 2025
Loyalty card
Why It's Good for Students
Earn points on shopping (in-store & online), redeem via vouchers or via Reward Partners (restaurants / days out) for more value. Frequent promotions.
Works across many retailers (Argos, eBay, etc.), personalised offers, good for everyday spend.
Cashback-style rewards, decent if you shop there often.
Digital coupons, deals, savings on basics. Good for low-cost grocery shopping. Occasionally get a bakery freebie (most importantly).
Member offers, share of profits, local discount perks etc.
Points on health & beauty essentials; good if you buy toiletries / skincare often.
Points + part-payments, student & NHS discounts on some days, special offers.
Free drink after earning enough Stars, some perks (e.g. via app), ideal for caffeine-dependent students.
Earn "beans" → free drinks, birthday bonuses, etc.
Buy-stamp scheme: after a certain number of purchases you get freebies, plus welcome offers, birthday treats.
Earn "Chillis" for spending, redeem for free food / upgrades; decent value if you eat out there.
McDonald's MyMcDonald's Rewards
Free items after collecting enough points, bonus offers via app etc. Useful for quick meals/treats.
Stars, freebie after certain visits, bonus items sometimes; good for coffee + snack runs.
Stamps, rewards, occasional extras; good for those who prefer independent coffee chains.
Stamps for buying books + extras, often discounted or exclusive editions; helpful for course reading, hobbies.
Discounts on selected homewares, free coffee in store on visits, occasional member-only deals. Good when setting up rooms / buying furniture.
The Body Shop Love Your Body Club
Points on beauty / self-care, birthday offers, occasional bonuses. Good for wellness / grooming.
If you drive or travel regularly, points on fuel and convenience store purchases.
Points per purchase, member prices, free delivery perks. Great for wardrobe refreshes.
10% off purchases and access to exclusive sales and discounts
Holland & Barrett Rewards For Life
4 points for every £1 you spend; £3 towards your first money off voucher when you first join. Quarterly money-off voucher and members-only offers and promotions
Exclusive competitions for members-only, free hot drink (Nero Roasting Company) with every purchase, 25% cashback, free magazines, money off certain foods on certain days
Collect points when you spend, convert points to Subway Cash to spend on anything on the menu, birthday freebie each year, extra perks and bonus days, skip the queue and order ahead to collect
Loyalty card guide
1. Tesco Clubcard
How it works:
Collect points every time you shop at Tesco or online. Convert points into vouchers, or get extra value with "Reward Partners" (like restaurants, cinema, travel).
Advantages for students:
- Everyday food shop savings
- Clubcard Prices = instant discounts at checkout
- Boosted value with partners (double or triple worth in some cases)
- Easy to use via app
2. Sainsbury's Nectar
Collect Nectar points across Sainsbury's, Argos, eBay, and hundreds of partners. Points = money off future shops.
- Works beyond groceries (tech, eBay, etc.)
- Personalised offers via Nectar app
- Double up on Argos buys for uni essentials
- Regular bonus point promos
3. Asda Rewards
Get "Cashpot" rewards every time you shop. Cashback can be redeemed against future spending.
- Cashback feels instant — money back to spend
- Seasonal "missions" add extra rewards
- Great if you shop in bulk for flatmates
- Clear, simple structure
4. Lidl Plus
Digital-only loyalty app. Weekly coupons, prize draws, and instant savings on essentials.
- Cheapest groceries even cheaper
- Regular weekly coupon drops
- Works well for tight student budgets
- Bonus partner discounts (cinema, travel)
5. Co-op Membership
Pay £1 to join, earn rewards on your shop, plus part of your spend supports community projects.
- Discounts on everyday groceries
- Ethical, community-driven feel
- Co-op often located near student areas
- Deals on meal deals & snacks
6. Boots Advantage Card
Collect 3–4 points per £1 on health, beauty, and pharmacy buys. Points can be spent like cash in store.
- Generous points earn rate
- Regular student-friendly offers (toiletries, makeup, skincare)
- Great for essentials and treats alike
- Works online & in store
7. Superdrug VIP Rewards
Collect points on every shop, use them to part-pay for future purchases. Member-only prices and bonus deals.
- Stack with Superdrug's student discount days
- Easy to use points alongside cash
- Great for budget beauty and health buys
- Regular free delivery perks for members
8. Starbucks Rewards
Earn Stars per spend, redeem for free drinks or extras. Free birthday treat included.
- Perfect for coffee-addicted students
- Free customisations (extra shots, syrups, etc.)
- Birthday freebies
- Handy app for pre-ordering
9. Costa Coffee Club
Collect "Beans" with every purchase. 8 Beans = a free drink.
- Straightforward system (buy 8, get 1 free)
- Birthday perk = free drink
- National coverage, campus locations
- Free drink offers pop up in app
10. Greggs Rewards
Collect stamps and get freebies. Regular promotions like free coffees or sausage rolls.
- Cheap, filling food made cheaper
- Welcome freebies on sign-up
- Birthday treat included
- Frequent special offers via app
11. Nando's Rewards
Earn "Chillis" when you spend. Redeem them for free food (starter, sides, mains).
- Great value for regular Nando's eaters
- Free food quickly earned
- Social — students often eat out in groups
- Works well with student discount offers
12. McDonald's MyMcDonald's Rewards
Collect points on every order. Redeem for food and drink items. Bonus points for special promos.
- Free fries, burgers, McFlurries for points
- Daily deals through the app
- Late-night snack runs made cheaper
- Easy mobile ordering
13. Pret Perks
Collect Stars with every purchase; stars earn freebies and exclusive perks.
- Suits regular Pret customers (coffee + lunch)
- Freebie surprises along the way
- Good if you live near city-centre campuses
- Can be paired with Pret's subscription
14. Caffè Nero Loyalty Card
Stamp card system (digital or paper). 9 stamps = free drink.
- Simple to track
- Free drinks build up quickly
- Great for studying in cafés
- Nationwide availability
15. Waterstones Plus
Collect stamps on book purchases. 10 stamps = £10 to spend.
- Course textbooks + leisure reads earn rewards
- Exclusive deals and events
- Useful for literature & humanities students
- Encourages smart book buying
16. IKEA Family
Free membership, unlocks member-only prices, extra discounts, and free hot drinks in store.
- Huge savings on home essentials
- Free coffee perk every visit
- Discounts on room-setup basics
- Bonus workshops and design help
17. The Body Shop Love Your Body Club
Collect points with purchases, redeem on future buys. Includes birthday gift.
- Free birthday treat
- Good on skincare & wellness buys
- Regular promotions for members
- Ethical/eco appeal
18. H&M Membership
Earn points on purchases, unlock member prices, get free delivery and exclusive perks.
- Student wardrobe refresh for less
- Free delivery perks cut online costs
- Early access to sales
- Eco points for recycling clothes
19. The Schuh Club
Points on footwear purchases. Access to sales, giveaways, and recycling rewards (voucher for old shoes).
- Shoe recycling = money back
- Priority access to new drops
- Regular sales alerts
- Great for students who love trainers
20. Shell Go+
Earn rewards and discounts on fuel and convenience store buys. Includes free hot drinks and car washes after a set number of visits.
- Free coffee/snacks for drivers
- 10% off car washes and food-to-go
- Helps students with cars save on travel
- Works even on small purchases at forecourts
21. Holland & Barrett Rewards For Life
Collect points as you shop and convert them into money-off vouchers. One point equals one penny. The minimum number of points needed to convert into vouchers is 50.
- Introductory offers (£3 off your first money-off voucher and 20% off first order when you download the app)
- Free giveaways
- Exclusive discounts and offers
- Bonus points of selected products
22. My Waitrose Membership
You don't earn points but you do get access to freebies and discounts, among other things.
- Free coffee/hot drink with minimum spend
- Free Waitrose magazine
- Exclusive discounts based on your spending history
- 20% off fish on Fridays and 20% off meat on Saturdays
23. Subway Rewards
Download the app and earn points with every order. These points can then be converted into Subway Cash, and you can then use it against anything on the menu.
There are 3 levels of membership: Rising Star, Hot Shot, and The Boss — the higher the membership, the more points you'll earn and the better the benefits will be.
- Promotions and offers
- Higher the level, the more points for every £1 you spend
- Birthday freebies
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
