Martin Lewis warns ‘do it now’ over big change to Nectar points coming within weeks – how to avoid losing out
MARTIN Lewis is warning households to take action now over a big change to Nectar points coming within weeks.
Shoppers who convert their Avios points to spend at Sainsbury’s or Argos will soon see the value of their points slashed.
The Avios rewards scheme lets shoppers earn points towards British Airways (BA) Executive Club flights, upgrades and hotel stays.
It partnered with Nectar in 2021, allowing shoppers to earn points with brands such as Sainsbury’s, Argos Esso, eBay, Caffé Nero and Vue.
Currently, every 300 Avios you convert gets you 400 Nectar points, or around £2.
But from March 11, you’ll need 400 Avios points to get 400 Nectar points, according to MoneySavingExpert (MSE).
For example, 1,200 Avios points currently gets you an £8 spend at Sainsbury’s.
But in just a few weeks time, the same number of points will get you just £6.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Martin Lewis said: “Got Avios points?
“Currently to buy 400 Nectar points you need 300 Avios, from March 11 British Airways changing it so same’ll cost 400 Avios.
“E.g 1,200 Avios now worth £8 in Sainsburys, it’ll then be just £6. So if you plan to swap do it now.”
The change will not affect customers not matter how they collected their Avios points.
How to earn Avios points
THE Avios reward scheme allows travellers to earn points towards buying flights, upgrades and hotel stays.
You can collect Avios points by signing up with one of these frequent flyer clubs: AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Vueling Club.
Once you are a member of one of these clubs you can earn points by shopping with the brands that work with Avios.
It is free to join and you will need to select the club you want and register online.
Some of the brands, such as the British Airways Executive Club will let you setup a household account so all your family can earn points and rewards.
But shoppers will be pleased to know that the Nectar to Avios. conversion isn’t changing and will remain at 400 Nectar points to 250 Avios.
The Sun has contacted Sainsbury’s and BA for comment.
You can convert your Avios points through your Nectar account online and the change should take place within ten days.
How does Nectar Card work?
Sainsbury’s has been part of the Nectar scheme since 2002, buying it out in 2018.
Customers collect points when buying certain products or goods, in-store and online.
You receive one loyalty point for every £1 spent.
You also get one point for every £1 spent on fuel bought at Sainsbury’s petrol stations and can pick up points at hundreds of partners as well, including Esso and eBay.
You can register and download an e-Nectar Card by downloading the app on your smartphone.
You then have to swipe it every time you shop and the points are added to your account, which can be used to get money off future purchases.
Each point is effectively worth 0.5p, meaning you need 500 points to get £2.50 off.
You can also sign up to the scheme on Sainsbury’s website.
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