Debenhams Reward Card Vs. Boots Advantage Card

As the Boots Advantage Card is officially the most generous loyalty card in the UK there isn't much of a contest. However I did want to show the advantages and disadvantages of both card so I didn't seem like I was being totally negative.

I was 'inspired' to write this post after receiving an email from Debenhams titled - Important, your Beauty Club Reward Card expires soon. It is self explanatory really, but I shall quote what the email said.

"We love that you’re a Beauty Club cardholder, but we’ve noticed you haven’t used your Beauty Club Reward Card recently - if you don’t use it over a 12 month period it will expire".

They also provided a link so that I could remind myself of the benefits of being a Beauty Club Member, which I did.
So here are the advantages and disadvantages of the Debenhams Beauty Club Reward Card.

Debenham's Reward Card

Pros

• Anything is better than nothing - At least they have a 'points' card, right?
  
• You can use your points as part purchase.
• You can collect points when paying using the points you have saved up.
• You receive a £5 reward if you receive 500 points in one transaction.*
  

Cons

• Points or any £ value loaded onto the card will expire 6 months after issue.
  
• Your balance may only be checked online or via email updates.
• If you don't use your card within 12 months the card expires.
  
• If you forget your card you cannot place the points on your card at a later date from your receipt.
  
• To receive a £5 reward you would have to spend at least £166.*
• When you sign up for a card instore you then have to activate it online later.
  
• There 'Exclusive' gift,offers & samples because your a member doesn't exist.
• There point system is slightly confusing - 1 point per £1 when you spend upto £25, 3 points per £1 when you spend £25 or more, 500 points = £5, 1000 points = £10.
  
• There are no special offers sent via email so that you can receive more points.
  
• There 'Beauty Store Events' are just events that are running at the time and are open to everyone.

As you can see the Cons outweigh the Pros but my main gripe is with the point being removed from your card after 6 months and also your card expiring after 12 months. To me this is pointless, Debenhams definitely doesn't benefit from letting cards expire.
Also it would be nice to receive a balance statement and newsletter through the post every 3-4 months or so.

Boots Reward Card

Pros

• You can sign up instore or you can sign up by phone.
  
• You earn point on everything you buy (except for prescriptions and infant milks) - even emergency plasters when your shoes are rubbing!
  
• You can check your balance at the Boots kiosk instore or online.
• Collect 4 points per £1 you spend.
  
• You can pick up points you've collected online at the kiosk as well as printing out money-off coupons and special points offers.
  
• You can pick up the health & beauty magazine 6 times a year for free.
• They send out balance statement with special offers and extra points coupons through the post (I received a double points voucher that could be used twice just afew weeks ago).
• There are always promotions on different brands where you can earn 200 extra points.
  
• Your points can be saved up or not! Then can be spent on mostly* everything instore.

Cons

• Your point cannot be spent at Boot Opticians or online.*
• You cannot make a part payment of points towards a product. You must of collected the full amount of points required for the product you want.

The only thing that I can fault the Advantage card on is that you cannot make a part payment where you say use all the points on your card that total £10 for example and want to purchase something that is worth £12. So use would pay for the extra £2 with your own money. This cannot be done. Of course if you are purchasing afew items and not just one you would be fine as you could pay for afew items separately with cash.

So there obviously is a clear winner but then again there always was! I really feel that Boots are giving something back to there customers while encouraging you to spend. However with Debenhams it just seems a money making ploy and if you don't spend there that often then they don't want you.

Without there loyalty cards Boots would win hands down for me for the sheer fact of there £5 vouchers for No7 or Ruby & Millie that appears instore quite often.

I would love to know your views on both cards and if you have either of them or not.