Raffles

Tesco is a major partner with BA and offers one of the easiest non-flying ways for UK BAEC members to earn lots of miles.

Full details of how the Tesco scheme works can be found in “The Ultimate BA Guide” sticky. In summary, you can convert your Tesco Clubcard points to Avios in the ratio 1 Clubcard point = 2.4 Avios.

(You can also earn Virgin Flying Club miles via Tesco at the rate of 1 Clubcard point = 2.5 Flying Club miles. VS miles can be converted to Hilton at a 2:3 ratio so 1 Clubcard point = 3.75 Hilton points, albeit with a 10k minimum conversion from Virgin. You can also convert VS to IHG Rewards Club at a 1:1 ratio.)

You earn 1 point for every �1 spent in a Tesco store and for purchases online. Vouchers are issued quarterly by post as long as you earn at least 150 points. They can then be converted to points via the Tesco Clubcard website, into either avios.com or British Airways Executive Club.

The real source of bumper Tesco points are the generous promotions that are occasionally run. There is no need to move your food spend to Tesco to collect lots of Avios - you simply need to jump in when a particularly generous bonus points promotion appears, and then sell the goods on ebay! You will make a small loss in most cases but the thousands of miles will more than offset this.

As with the BA Amex, you can only convert Tesco points to BAEC accounts that are UK domiciled. However, since the launch of Avios this is no longer a major restriction. If your BA account is based outside the UK, nothing stops you opening a separate Avios account at avios.com, converting your Tesco points via that account (there is no address restriction if moving to an avios.com account) and then transferring them across to your BAEC account.

It is possible to set up an auto-convert option with Tesco via the Clubcard website, which will automatically send your vouchers across to Avios each quarter. However, this is not recommended. If you don't need the miles, it makes more sense to keep the vouchers in a drawer and wait until the next transfer promotion comes along.

There were NO Tesco to Avios conversion bonus in 2013 or 2014 although, in November 2015, a modest 20% bonus was launched, albeit capped at �100 of converted vouchers. There are also occasional promotions on non-Avios redemptions (shock, horror) which can be excellent value. Virgin Flying Club still runs 20%-25% conversion bonuses.

The online form to convert Clubcard vouchers to BAEC can be found here: http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=237 You input the code number on the voucher - points hit your BAEC account in 24 hours.

Current bonus point promotions are listed in the wiki post at the top of this thread. A summary of current 'bonus Clubcard points' offers can be found on this page of my Tesco Clubcard blog Shopper Points. If you want to chat about Tesco, join the forums at www.paidtoshop.co.uk, run by occasional FT'er Gizmos.

Bonus points currently available on various in-store grocery products are also usually highlighted at http://www.supermarketspecialoffers....intOffers.aspx

If you have a small child, it is worth joining the Tesco Loves Baby Club (see http://www.tesco.com/babyclub/) as you will receive regular mailings with bonus points offers.

The Tesco credit card

Following a major devaluation in December 2015, the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card earns 1 point for every �8 spent (rounded down on a per transaction, not per statement, basis - so a �7.99 purchase is treated as nothing). Points post as soon as the charge hits your account, not at month end.

On paper it works out at 0.3 Avios per �1 which is, frankly poor. Because of the rounding down to the nearest �8 per transaction rule, it is even worse in reality.

It may still be worth getting the card though:

i) some places do not take Amex, especially independent retailers

ii) you earn a better rate when shopping at Tesco - 1 Clubcard point for every �4 charged to your Tesco credit card, equivalent to 0.6 Avios per �1.

iii) if you about to trigger the '2 for 1' voucher on your Amex but would rather defer it for a few months, you can switch to your Tesco Mastercard

iv) there is no annual fee

Note that your Tesco MasterCard also acts as a Clubcard, so you don't need to carry your blue clubcard around anymore. In a Tesco store you can, if you want, have your credit card swiped for use as a Clubcard and then pay using your BA Amex for maximum miles!

You can apply via this link http://www.tescobank.com/credit-cards/. AFTER receiving your card (not before!) you can apply for a 1,000 point 'I was referred by a friend' bonus. Post in this thread if you need a fellow Tesco MasterCard holder to refer you.

The Tesco MasterCard is still the best free MasterCard or Visa for earning Avios points. (The HSBC Premier MasterCard earns more, at 0.5 Avios per �1, but this card is very difficult to qualify for.)

However, there are alternatives. I suggest the the Lloyds Avios Rewards credit card (an American Express and MasterCard double pack). The headline MasterCard rate is lower at 0.2 Avios per �1 but, because they don't mess about with 'rounding down per transaction' the actual rate you get is probably similar to the Tesco card. Your spending also counts towards the upgrade vouchers for Avios redemptions earned with the Lloyds card. This card also has no foreign exchange fees. The downside is the �24 annual fee.

If you discover any new Tesco offers, post them here!

Raffles

This is the new 2016 Tesco thread. The wiki has also been tidied up and all links updated.

ttama

Thank you

Tilly71

This was 1000 points last week, now back in stock but now only 500 Clubcard points.
http://www.tesco.com/direct/brother-hl-1112-mono-laser-printer/790-7877.prd

durhamflyer

Hi all,

Probably a very stupid question.... but is it possible to buy Clubcard points vouchers on eBay and convert them into Avios points in your account?

I only ask because I'm about to have an upgrade voucher expire on me and I'm desperate to use it before it does so!

Raffles

The seller would need to change their address details to match yours and you would to convert it with a batch of vouchers in your name. This may work.

bluemoon68

Thanks Raffles.

I think shopperpoints.co.uk is worth a mention (I know it's in your sig, but worthy of more prominent placement.)

JezQuiggley

Can I buy John Lewis vouchers with Tesco vouchers?

mike&co

It would be helpful if you would provide more information on your methodology ? Based on the content of your question - No

CountryKerry

Yes, indirectly.

Tesco now sell WHSmith Gift Cards which can be bought with Tesco Vouchers.

And, WHSmith sell John Lewis Gift Cards in �25 denominations.

Tesco Vouchers -->WHSmith Gift Cards --> John Lewis Gift Cards.

However, could you explain why this would be worthwhile?

Roger

Isn't buying vouchers/gift cards with vouchers/gift cards a bit of a problem?In effect, getting bonus Clubcard points (150 per �50) for shopping at John Lewis or Waitrose?

ECR

The first term and condition on the WHSmith Gift Card states:-

"1. Once activated this gift card can be used as full or part payment for goods (excluding other third parties' gift cards) ..................."

Tilly71

Correct, most retailers tills are geared up to not accept gift cards as payment for other gift cards or their staff have been told to not accept this form of payment.

edinburghgirl

Tesco dont but i noticed that morrisons now seem to stock the �25 john lewis cards cant say that ive seen them in there before
No points but you would get the fuelsave vouchers

JezQuiggley

I have a bunch of tesco vouchers but want to buy a big ticket item at John Lewis