Rising grocery bills have become a familiar headache for many households, with the cost of everyday essentials continuing to squeeze budgets across the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that one in five (20%) of trading businesses expect the prices of goods or services they sell to increase this month. This means that the weekly grocery bill, or even a little top-up shop, can quickly increase – especially for families trying to stretch every pound until payday.
In a bid to ease that pressure, supermarket giant Morrisons has launched a new scheme for More Card customers, offering shoppers the chance to earn a 10% reward through its More Plus Scheme. But there’s a catch: you’ll need to spend at least £250 before the end of June to qualify, and not everyone is eligible. Here’s everything you need to know.
How the Morrisons More Card works
The Morrisons More Card, which is completely free, already allows customers to earn points on their spending and get discounts on selected products. For every 5,000 points, you get £5 to spend in store (ten points are worth one pence). If participating in the More Plus Scheme, you need to spend £250 by 30th June and scan your More Card on your Morrisons shops in-store or online. Spending can be built up across multiple shops – it doesn’t have to be one transaction. You can keep track of your progress on the app or on your receipts. Don’t worry if you do not have the More Card app; you can take your receipt to the customer service desk in store to have this added to your account. When you’ve hit £250, you will get a 10% offer reward in the ‘My Offers’ part of the app to be activated for your next shop.
Not everyone is eligible
But not all Morrisons (and Morrisons Daily) customers can participate in the More Plus Scheme. Only ‘selected customers’ will be eligible, while others won’t, even if they shop there regularly and have a More Card. So unfortunately, it’s luck of the draw. The website recommends to ‘check the app to see whether you have been invited to take part.’ Importantly, those who are eligible should note that not all items are included. Total spend excludes: fuel, cash back, fireworks, lottery, online games and instant tickets, tobacco, tobacco-related products, prescription medicines, and pharmacy services, infant milk and formula, gift vouchers, E top-ups, bonus stamps, postage stamps, saver stamps, digital saver stamps, photo processing, car park tickets, dry cleaning, and vending machines. Morrisons shops made via Amazon and Deliveroo are not included too.
Is it worth it?
The value depends on your normal shopping habits. If you already spend around £250 per month at Morrisons, the 10% reward can effectively reduce your grocery bill. However, it may not be worthwhile to increase spending just to reach the threshold.
How to make the most of your loyalty cards
Loyalty schemes have good and bad points, but these expert tips can help you use them for good deals, not overspending.
Stick to the plan
Michael Foote, founder of Quote Goat and an experienced money-saving expert, says schemes such as Nectar ‘can lead to overspending, because points promotions are often tied to specific products that might not be on a shopper’s usual list’. However, he tells Metro: ‘For regular Sainsbury’s shoppers who stick to their planned purchases and avoid being swayed by promotional upsells, the scheme can provide a consistent way to reduce grocery costs over time.’
Check your time limits
Loyalty points frequently expire, so ensure you use them before you lose them, suggests money-saver Polly Arrowsmith. ‘Some loyalty points will only last for three to six months,’ she warns.
Make it digital
‘Add your loyalty cards to the likes of your Apple Wallet or Google Pay, and keep them up to date,’ deals specialist Dan Evans, from Hot UK Deals, tells Metro. ‘That way you will be less likely to forget to use them.’
Don’t get sucked in
Ebony stresses the importance of being aware how loyalty cards are designed to ‘subtly change your behaviour’. Tricks to watch out for include steering you to shop on certain days, nudging you to spend a little extra to hit a points target, or making you feel like you’re ‘wasting money’ if you shop elsewhere, she says.
Be aware of the data that you’re giving away
‘Every swipe, scan, or top-up with a loyalty scheme isn’t just earning you treats, you’re trading your shopping habits, location, and even pre-paid balances in return,’ Lisa Stanley, chief sustainability officer at financial sustainability app Zero, tells Metro. ‘It’s smart to ask yourself: Is the reward worth the personal data being traded?’ She recommends choosing schemes that are transparent about what data they collect, how they use it, and, crucially, how they protect it, adding: ‘If in doubt, skip the loyalty card – sometimes the best way to safeguard your habits is not to share them!’
