Loyalty cards that count

Some frequent-shopper cards really do make good sense to collect.

FREE IS GOOD | While instant gratification is awesome, loyalty cards reward you for sticking it out. Some just make you wait longer than others. And now Shopper’s Drug Mart is making Shopper’s Drug Mart Optimum members wait even longer. As of July 1st, it takes more points—and more purchasing—to get free stuff. Optimum members have been up in arms, and initially I was indignant too since I had just hit the highest level of 75,000 points.

I literally ran to the store and to redeem my $150 worth of free goodies before the rules changed. As I was shopping, I stopped to ask a staff member about the changes and surprisingly she encouraged me to wait. Based on the number of points I had and the fact that it was 20X the points day, we calculated that I could easily reach the new top level of 95,000 points through purchasing just what I needed that day. Then I could return on July 1st for $170 dollars worth of free rewards instead of just $150. I was sold. I bought the allergy medicine, dish soap and sunscreen I needed, achieved the next point level and decided to wait. After all, I had been waiting over two years already.

Even with the changes in the program, Shopper’s Drug Mart’s Optimum cards provide some of the greatest per dollar returns in Canada. It is silly for Shopper’s shoppers not to have one—but, as with any loyalty card, it is best to understand the system and take advantage of it (they actually want you to!). Buying essentials, indulgences and gifts with your loyalty card may seem like a drop in the bucket, but with enough drops the pail will be full of rewards.

Here are three of my favourite loyalty cards, each with a different way to race for rewards:

1. The Marathon: As many of us know, Air Miles can take years to collect. Still, if you are patient, Air Miles offers a wide variety of rewards and, once you choose one, delivers it to your door, usually within a week. Shorten the distance a little with American Express and Bank of Montreal credit cards that provide Air Miles incentives for using them. Compare cards at www.rewardscanada.ca.

2. The Hurdle: The IRewards program from Chapters, Indigo and Coles offers consistent and significant discounts to avid readers and those who give books as gifts. Cardholders get 10 percent off any book in the store and 40 percent off bestsellers. It costs $25 to join, but it always ends up being worth it for me. If you can leap over the membership fee, sign up at www.chapters.indigo.ca.

3. The Sprint: Gap’s Sprize program is available at just 10 locations around the Lower Mainland and there are no points involved. The way it works is that if you buy an item and the price drops at the same store within 15 days, the Gap automatically credits your Sprize account with the price difference, “SprizeMoney” for you to spend within the next month. Also expect great insider deals to show up in your inbox—like 40 percent off all discounted items in the store and $10 towards ANY purchase. But be quick off the mark: these deals usually last for just for a day or two. Sign up in any Gap store in Vancouver and receive instant rewards. Check it out at www.mysprize.com.—Natasha Irvine

Photo: C. Phaisalakani