Latest news with #Reward
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
How you can 'double' Tesco Clubcard vouchers
Money Saving Expert (MSE), the Martin Lewis-founded saving site, is encouraging anyone with 500 or more Tesco Clubcard points to "convert [points] into £5 in Clubcard vouchers if you haven't already." By converting £5, you could see it transformed into £10. However, shoppers will need to act quick as MSE highlights: "The basis for this is that until Tuesday, July 29, Tesco is offering 1,000 bonus Clubcard points for anyone converting Clubcard vouchers into a range of Days Out Reward redemptions." Simple Ways to Shop Sustainably and Save Money When you spend 500 points in-store at Tesco, they're worth £5, but swap them for tickets to attractions such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, The London Eye, or Chessington World of Adventures, and suddenly they're worth £10. Even if you're not keen on a day out, it's still a trick worth doing, MSE says. 'Even if you don't want a day out, just do it with the minimum £5 voucher as you get back 1,000 bonus points,' they write. 'You double what you started with, as those 1,000 points can be converted into a £10 voucher.' But shoppers should note that the deal is capped at one redemption per Clubcard account, and the bonus stays at 1,000 points no matter how much over £5 you swap. Disney+, Cineworld, and Picturehouse are not part of the promotion. Expect the converted points to appear in your Clubcard account by mid-October, with Tesco's T&Cs stating: "1,000 Clubcard points (worth £10) will be credited to eligible Clubcard accounts by October 19, 2025." MSE adds: "After your 1,000 points are converted to vouchers, you can use them on anything – £10 of food shopping or £20 off any Tesco Reward Partner (not just days out)." How do I check my Tesco Clubcard points? To check your Tesco Clubcard points balance, you can use the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app or your online Clubcard account. 'Points collected in-store or online, including at Tesco Groceries or Tesco Marketplace, will usually appear immediately,' Tesco advises. 'Points from Tesco Bank cards, Tesco Mobile, or other partners may take up to 5 days to appear, and Ink Jet recycling points can take up to 10 weeks.' Recommended Reading: Where can I spend my Tesco Days Out vouchers? Here are some examples of some of the places where your Clubcard vouchers could be spent for a day out. English Heritage Alton Towers Resort West Midland Safari Park Legoland 360 Play Trentham Gardens Drayton Manor Tenpin When you've completed your order, look out for a confirmation email, as a second email containing a partner code should arrive shortly after.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
The FIVE reasons why I never use my debit card – I think they're pointless, you should ditch them too
OUR wallets are crammed with plastic - but there's one card I never use and is completely pointless. For many, a debit card is a go-to for everyday shopping. 1 But I think everyone should ditch it - and there's a much better option that will MAKE you money and offer more protection on your purchases. When it comes to being a savvy spender, debit cards are rubbish. Instead, I use a credit card and here I explain the five reasons why I think everyone else should make a switch too. Make use of a secret weapon in your wallet If you've ever bought a big-ticket item – perhaps a new sofa, a swanky TV, or even booked a holiday – and then had it go wrong? It's a nightmare scenario we all dread. And if you paid with your debit card, you might be in for a nasty surprise. While debit cards offer " chargeback", where your bank tries to recover your money from the retailer, it's not guaranteed. It's a voluntary agreement, not a legal right, so your bank can try - but there's no promise you'll get your money back. Now compare that to credit cards. If you spend over £100 and under £30,000, you're automatically covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Four methods you can use to clear debt This is consumer protection gold. It means your credit card company is equally liable with the retailer if something goes wrong. So, if your new sofa doesn't arrive, is faulty, or your holiday company goes bust, paying with a credit card gives you far better protection. You're missing out on loyalty points This one really grinds my gears. In a world where every click and every purchase is tracked, why aren't you getting something back for your loyalty? Every time you tap your debit card, you're throwing away free money - or in my case, free holidays. Every time I spend a quid on my British Airways Premium Plus American Express credit card, I'm racking up 1.5 Avios airmiles. If I'm booking a flight on that jumps to a whopping three Avios per £1 spent. Those points can go towards free flights, holiday bookings, cabin upgrades, and more – just for spending money I was going to spend anyway. American Express has credit cards for Nectar members too, giving shoppers two points for every £1 spent. If you want flexibility with how you use your points, American Express Reward, Gold, and Platinum cards let you earn one "membership" point for every £1 spent. This means you could exchange some of these points for airmiles with airlines like British Airways, Iberia, Qatar, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic. Then redeem more for discounts on hotel bookings with Hilton, Marriott, and Radisson. Plus, Amex allows you to convert points to help lower your credit card bill, with 1,000 points worth £4.50. My debit card gives me nothing - no perks, no points, no rewards so why spend money without getting something back? Free cash when you spend Most high street banks and their debit cards are notoriously tight-fisted when it comes to cashback. Some bank accounts with monthly fees or challenger banks like Chase do offer up to 1% cashback, but if you're like the majority and have a standard fee-free high street current account, your debit card won't give you any instant savings. But with my credit card, it's a completely different story. My American Express app is packed with offers. I just tap to add them to my card, and I get instant savings on things like my weekly shop or streaming services. Right now, I'm getting 15% back on my Disney+ subscription every month – free money for something I'd be paying for anyway, automatically applied. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime fan like me, my fee-free Amazon Barclaycard gives me 1% cashback on all my online orders. The best part? Cashback doubles during events like Prime Day, letting me earn even more while I shop. If cashback is your only concern, the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card is a great option for those expecting a high-spend period. It offers an impressive 5% cashback on purchases for the first five months (up to £125). After this introductory period, you can earn up to 1% cashback, but you'll need to spend over £10,000 annually to qualify for ongoing rewards. For those who might not meet the £10,000 annual spending threshold, the American Express Cashback Credit Card is another strong choice. It also offers 5% cashback for the first three months (up to £125), followed by 0.75% cashback on spending up to £10,000 per year and 1.25% above that. What is cashback? CASHBACK is a type of reward offered by banks, credit card providers, and retailers where customers receive a percentage of their spending back as cash. Essentially, it's a way to earn money while making purchases. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100, you'll earn £1 back. Cashback can be credited to your account, deducted from your balance, or saved up for future use, depending on the provider's terms. It's often offered on everyday purchases, such as groceries, fuel, or online shopping, and may be part of a promotional deal or an ongoing benefit of your account. However, remember to check the terms and conditions, as some transactions may not qualify for cashback rewards. By using cashback offers wisely, you can usually make your money go further on purchases you'd already be making. It does nothing for your credit score Building a good credit score is crucial. It's not just for big loans like mortgages - it affects everything from mobile phone contracts to car finance. Using a debit card without an overdraft doesn't help your credit score because you're just spending your own money. But, using a credit card responsibly – that is, making sure you pay it off in full and on time every single month – is a fantastic way to prove you're a trustworthy borrower. It demonstrates financial discipline and builds a positive credit history. However, I must give you a big fat warning here... If you're not disciplined with money, credit cards can wreak havoc on your score and future borrowing capabilities. Miss payments, and you'll trash your ability to get a loan or mortgage for years. So, only use them if you can be trusted to clear your balance. How can I boost my credit score? A ROBUST credit score is a golden ticket to better deals. Andrew Hagger, founder of Moneycomms, said the most important move is to register to vote. This is because lenders need to check your identity and address to confirm you're not a fraudster. For Experian, being on the electoral register can yield you 50 points. Also, don't make too many credit applications as this can be a sign of financial distress. And if you already have a credit card or loan, never miss a payment. Kara Gammell, financial expert at MoneySupermarket, said: "A missed payment can negatively affect your rating." Renters who want to boost their credit score can also report their rent payments to three of the major credit reference agencies to prove they can pay their bills on time. CreditLadder introduced rent reporting to the UK for all tenants in 2017. Two out of five households rent, and CreditLadder can report those rent payments to all the main credit reference agencies, which can help you improve your credit history and score. They come with expensive borrowing costs An overdraft lets you spend or withdraw money with your debit card even if your balance is below £0. But overdrafts are one of the most expensive ways to borrow, with most banks charging a steep 39.9% APR. TotallyMoney found that one in five people go overdrawn by an average of £697 a day, quickly racking up interest. Credit cards, however, usually have much lower rates - between 18% and 24.9% APR, according to MoneySuperMarket. If you were to borrow £1,000 for a year on a credit card at 18% APR it would cost you around £180 in interest. Whereas, on a 39.9% APR overdraft, the same £1,000 would cost nearly £400. When it comes to borrowing small amounts, credit cards are the clear winner. Plus, you can even snag introductory 0% credit card deals, giving you a period to borrow completely interest-free. Just remember that these offers are usually tailored for managing existing debt or making planned, affordable purchases. They are not for spontaneous spending sprees unless you're completely debt-free otherwise and can pay it back within the interest-free period.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
'HKL Care Reward Club Program' Launches
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 July 2025 - Hong Kong Life is committed to raising public awareness on healthy living and is now proud to announce the launch of the 'HKL Care Reward Club Program' ('the Program'), a rewards program centered around the concept of sustainable healthy living. The Program provides users with a variety of health information, games, rewards and the latest promotion offers, encouraging the public to enhance their physical and mental well-being while establishing sustainable healthy habits. Participants can also earn HKL Care Points to redeem diverse rewards, stepping to healthy living with more fun. Registration for the 'HKL Care Reward Club Program' is completely free. The public can access the Program's webpage ( and scan the designated QR code of the Program for free registration in Hong Kong Life's official WhatsApp account. Upon successful registration, users can participate in periodic mini-missions to earn HKL Care Points, which can be directly redeemed for rewards within WhatsApp, including e-Coupons of merchants and health-related benefits. Sign Up Now for the 'HKL Care Reward Club Program' and May Enjoy Multiple Rewards: --> Welcome Reward: First-time registrants will receive a welcome reward of 2,000 HKL Care Points --> Limited Reward: Complete a simple survey on or before 31 July 2025 to receive an additional 200 HKL Care Points --> 'Care Reward Birth Celebration Bonus': To mark the launch of the Program, the first 3,800 users who successfully register, will receive a HK$10 7-Eleven e-cash voucher. E-cash vouchers are available while stocks last. 'HKL Care Reward Club' Program: --> Complete mini missions anytime anywhere to earn the Points Participate in mini missions via WhatsApp on mobile and earn points with ease --> Accumulate the Points for Rewards Redeem the choice of rewards with HKL Care Points --> Exclusive Rewards and Updates Receive fabulous rewards and real-time updates on mobile device --> Birthday Treats Enjoy a bonus of HKL Care Points during the birthday month as a thoughtful gift for the special day. Mr. Jonathan Ko, Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Life, said, 'In recent years, people have become more health conscious. Maintaining sustainable healthy living not only requires self-discipline but also mutual encouragement among peers. As a life partner, Hong Kong Life has always committed to raising public awareness of healthy living, launching various promotional campaigns and sponsored activities, to highlight the importance of physical and mental health. The design of the 'HKL Care Reward Club Rewards Program' aims to make health information accessible while allowing users to accumulate points through interactive mini-missions and the point-based system, adding fun to their health journey and moving towards sustainable living. We will continue to introduce more engaging missions and exciting rewards soon.' Sign up now to start earning the Points and receive the latest offers! 'HKL Care Reward Club Program' is subject to the terms and condition. Please refer to for details. About Hong Kong Life Established in 2001, Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited ('Hong Kong Life') was founded by five local financial institutions including Asia Insurance Company Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, which laid their foundations and have been serving people in Hong Kong for more than 50 years in average. Through our extensive network of around 130 distribution points comprising Chong Hing Bank, CMB Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) and Shanghai Commercial Bank, we offer an integrated one-stop service of insurance and financial planning to customers.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Halifax customers urged to 'close accounts' after major change
The Money Saving Expert and consumer champion has warned that Halifax is making a change to its Reward current account which could leave thousands of people out of pocket Thousands of Halifax customers have been dealt a heavy blow as they've been urged to "CLOSE" their accounts and take out their money. Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert founder and a familiar face on BBC and ITV, has spearheaded the backlash following Halifax's announcement of a policy shift. On X, the financial guru and consumer advocate alerted followers: "Halifax Reward bank account customer? It's going to ditch your main £5/mth perks. Its no longer worth it for most, full info." This development arises as Halifax plans to axe the principal advantage of its 'Reward' current account – the monthly reward. Currently, the Halifax Reward account is a type of current account that provides a monthly 'Reward Extra' benefit if you satisfy certain spending or saving conditions. Customers have had the option to choose from receiving £5 in their account, 1 Vue cinema ticket, or 3 digital magazines, reports Birmingham Live. You can select one reward every 12 months, but with the possibility of holding up to three Reward accounts, customers could potentially double or triple up on a single perk, or diversify their rewards. However, in a significant overhaul, from 30 September 2025, any customer still accruing a reward will cease to receive it. MSE issued a warning: " Should everyone ditch the Halifax Reward account?" They advised: "If you're due any monthly rewards, you should keep the account open until at least the end of October, when any remaining rewards will be paid out. "But after that, and for everyone else, it's hard to see any killer benefits that justify sticking with the account – especially if you won't meet the minimum pay-in of £1,500 a month and end up paying the £3 monthly fee." Responding to Mr Lewis, a Twitter /X user commented: "Sounds like Halifax Reward's done a runner with the good stuff-better to know now than be stuck with empty perks and a fiver a month. "Halifax won't help me access my account as I can't find account number - 30 year old a/c. They write to me every year but don't include no. on the corresp. I have all other details but their response (DM on X) was pretty much tough luck!" another shared. "They haven't told customers about this yet, but instead told of closure of prize saver draw (and that they're removing fees on purchases and withdrawals abroad)," a third concurred. Another lamented: "I had the £5 reward when it was the free account and it was nice to get then they moved it to a paid account which I didn't have and now they've taken it away. Things are just getting worse and worse."
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
NatWest gives some customers £125 - and you could get extra £50
The bank has announced a new offer for customers with certain accounts NatWest customers are in for a treat as they may be able to get an extra £175 in free cash. The banking giant is offering a £125 bonus for customers transferring from other providers to a NatWest Current Account. You can get an additional £50 if you open a Digital Regular Saver with the group. You can bag the £125 by moving your main current account using the Current Account Switch Service. The rules are that you must deposit £1,250 and log into the mobile app within 60 days of making the switch. The £1,250 can be added in multiple instalment, but it needs to sit in your account for at least a full day. Besides the £125 switch incentive, there's an opportunity to land another £50 by setting up a Digital Regular Saver in the same 60-day window. This savings account offers a 5.5% interest rate, and you can make monthly contributions ranging from £1 to £150. By maxing out the deposits, after a year, savers will accrue £53.53 in interest. The 5.5% rate applies to balances up to £5,000, with any amount above this attracting a lower rate of 1.15%. Paul Slinger, NatWest's head of Account Opening, said: "The Digital Regular Saver account is a great way to build a savings habit, and with Round Ups you can save even more. "This offer is a great way to receive a cash bonus and fully take advantage of all our current account benefits." Round Ups allow you to utilise your spare change to boost your savings. For instance, if you spend £2.80 on a purchase, you can 'round it up' to the nearest pound, with the 20p being added to your savings. This won't be included in your £150 monthly limit. You can also earn rewards that can contribute to the account. Rewards can be earned when you pay your direct debits, use your debit or credit card, or log into the mobile app. Once you've accumulated £5 in rewards, you can deposit this into your current account or a savings account. This also won't be counted towards the £150 limit. To take advantage of this, when making the switch you'll need to opt for a NatWest Reward Current Account, rather than a Select Account. The switch offer is available when switching to either a NatWest Select, Reward, Premier Select or Premier Reward account. When you switch bank accounts using the Current Account Switch Service, all your payments, such as direct debits and standing orders, will be automatically transferred to your new account. The process typically takes seven working days to complete.
