Sainsbury's launches petrol points giveaway but halves rewards earned in store

From tomorrow (Saturday 11 April), Nectar card holders will earn only one point for every £1 spent in-store and online on qualifying items at Sainsbury's, compared with the two points they currently earn.

The number of additional points earned using a Sainsbury's Bank credit card and American Express Nectar credit card will also change. With these you earn an extra two points per £1 on top of the two points you get for using your loyalty card in-store and online at Sainsbury's.

So instead of earning four points per £1, from Saturday you'll earn only three points per £1 when using your Sainsbury's credit card. Any promotional points offers that came with your credit card are also unaffected.

Sainsbury's shoppers will also no longer receive one Nectar point for every bag they reuse when shopping in-store. See our Loyalty Points Boosting guide for tips on how to earn more at Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Boots Advantage and Morrisons.

10x Nectar points for petrol

But as a softener the supermarket is today launching its "biggest ever points giveaway" where Nectar card holders can get 10 points per litre of fuel purchased at Sainsbury's petrol stations between 10 April and 10 May, instead of the usual one.

There is no limit to how many times you can fill up during the month-long event.

Sainsbury's launches 'biggest ever points giveaway' as it halves points earned in store

Value of points isn't changing

But the value of points earned will remain the same. So 500 points are worth £2.50 to spend in-store, or sometimes more when turned into rewards to spend at restaurants or days out.

The changes do however only apply to Nectar points earned at Sainsbury's. The number of Nectar points you can earn at other retailers such as eBay, Expedia and Homebase will remain the same, although these differ depending on the retailer.

We first reported that the supermarket was reducing the generosity of the Nectar card scheme in October last year.

'Launching more high-value bonus events'

A Sainsbury's spokesperson says: "Last year, we announced that we were changing the way customers earn Nectar points. Now, we're launching more high-value bonus events, like 10xpoints on fuel to help customers make the most of their points.

"We will also be offering more targeted, personalised rewards to our customers. Plus helping customers points go further when they spend their points through our Double Up events."