A former supermarket worker has revealed the most cost-effective loyalty scheme to invest shop amid backlash over Lidl’s controversial new policy.
Last week, savvy shoppers were left outraged after new changes by the supermarket giant meant that Lidl Plus loyalty scheme members will now collect points, rather than reward coupons.
Under Lidl’s refreshed loyalty scheme, £1 spent gives shoppers one point. This is similar to how other loyalty schemes such as the Boots Advantage card and Sainsbury’s Nectar Card work.
However, before the loyalty scheme was changed, Lidl members could get rewards such as 10 per cent off for spending £250 in a month.
Fortunately, money-saving expert Al Baker, 61, is on hand to share the best supermarket loyalty apps, cashback tricks and hidden perks that shoppers can use instead of Lidl’s new scheme.
Mr Baker, author of blog The Penny Pincher and a former Morrison’s worker, revealed that many individuals wrongly assume that Aldi is the obvious replacement – despite the chain not offering any loyalty scheme at all.
Instead, he declared that shoppers could now get better value by switching to supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, especially when combining loyalty rewards with cashback apps.
Praising Tesco’s Clubcard scheme, Mr Baker explained that given that most major UK supermarkets match Aldi and Lidl prices on staple products, shoppers can often pay near identical prices on basics while earning points, vouchers and cashback on top.
Money-saving expert Al Baker (pictured), 61, is on hand to share the best supermarket loyalty apps, cashback tricks and hidden perks that shoppers can use instead of Lidl’s new scheme
Last week, savvy shoppers were left outraged after new changes by the supermarket giant meant that Lidl Plus loyalty scheme members will now collect points, rather than reward coupons
Mr Baker, from Hampshire, explained: ‘A lot of people instantly push back and say those supermarkets are more expensive than Lidl or Aldi.
‘What many shoppers miss is that most major supermarkets now run Aldi and Lidl price-matching schemes across staple items.’
He noted that one of the best alternatives savvy shoppers can use is Tesco Clubcard Plus. At a cost of £7.99 a month, it gives shoppers 10 per cent off two in-store shops every month — with savings capped at £20 per shop.
This means that households spending heavily each month could potentially save up to a staggering £40 monthly.
Mr Baker said: ‘This is a great alternative for Lidl shoppers who used to spend £250 a month to get 10 per cent off their next Lidl shop.
‘These customers can still get 10 per cent off without having to spend £250 first.’
The savings expert also pointed out that the 10 per cent discount is applied after Clubcard prices have already reduced products — meaning that shoppers are effectively ‘stacking’ discounts.
Mr Baker also noted that cashback apps are another overlooked trick.
Unlike Lidl and Aldi, larger supermarkets work with cashback gift card apps such as JamDoughnut.
Explaining these perks, Mr Baker said: ‘If somebody saved £40 through Clubcard Plus, then paid the remaining balance with a cashback gift card earning around four to five per cent, they could save another £10 to £15 on top each month.’
He also highlighted Tesco’s wider Clubcard rewards system, which allows points to be used with restaurants, cinemas, hotels and flights.
Meanwhile, Nectar points at Sainsbury’s can also be stacked alongside app offers and partner deals.
It comes amid outrage surrounding Lidl’s new loyalty scheme, with customers set to earn points which can be exchanged for discounts and freebies in Lidl’s ‘rewards marketplace’.
Responding to the changes at Lidl, some shoppers on social media have claimed the changes make the loyalty scheme less generous.
Some said the old rewards system was the only reason they shopped at Lidl and that they would now shop for groceries elsewhere.
On Reddit, one Lidl customer said: ‘It’s honestly insulting for them to try and frame this as any sort of improvement.’
Another Reddit user said: ‘I can’t imagine anyone asked for this over how it was before.’
The changes to Lidl’s loyalty scheme bring the chain in line with other supermarkets.
In November 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority said British supermarket prices offered through loyalty schemes do provide genuine savings.
Supermarket loyalty pricing was reviewed by the CMA over fears these schemes may have been ripping off shoppers. The CMA said it had analysed around 50,000 grocery products on promotion and found very little evidence of supermarkets inflating their ‘usual’ prices to make loyalty promotions seem like a better deal.
Loyalty pricing discounts are seen by many as the ‘true’ cost of food, with the undiscounted price a steep mark-up for people not signed up.
Some argue that they unfairly penalise shoppers who don’t want to sign up to the cards because they don’t want to share data on what they buy with supermarkets. Data collection is one of the main benefits to supermarkets of offering the cards.
