Hang on to Tesco Clubcard vouchers - its double-up scheme begins on Monday

The supermarket's 'Boost' exchange scheme returns on 2 November, enabling customers to swap multiples of £5 vouchers for £10 tokens to spend in certain departments.

Shoppers have until, and including, 27 December to swap vouchers either in stores or online for tokens, which must then be spent by 30 December.

What are Clubcard vouchers?

Shoppers who use a Tesco Clubcard get one point for every £1 spent either in the supermarket's stores or online. Points can also be earned at other selected retailers, or with the Tesco credit card or current account.

Each point is worth 1p to spend at Tesco. The value is converted into Clubcard vouchers, which are sent out every three months as long as customers have a balance of at least 150 points.

Vouchers can also be exchanged throughout the year at non-Tesco retailers where it is possible to get up to four times the value to use at restaurants and on days out, for example. See our Tesco Clubcard guide for more on how the loyalty scheme works, including how to reclaim lost points.

What vouchers can I double for exchange tokens?

Only Clubcard vouchers in £5 multiples can be exchanged – but these can be made up of smaller vouchers, for example, two £2.50 vouchers. It means £5 worth of vouchers will become a £10 exchange token.

Both in stores and online, if the total in vouchers is not a multiple of five, the amount will be rounded down for exchange, and the rest will be credited back to your Clubcard account in points and carried over to your next statement.

So if you have a £7 voucher, you can convert £5 of that into a £10 exchange token and the remaining £2 will be credited back to your account in points.

There's no limit on the number of Clubcard vouchers that can be exchanged and no limit on the amount in tokens that can be redeemed before the deadline.

What can I use exchange tokens on?

This time round, you can use exchange tokens on:

• Almost all products on Tesco Direct – the supermarket's non-grocery website. Items will have a Boost logo if included.

And in stores in the following categories:

• Car care

• Clothing

• Decorations, lights and Christmas trees

• Electricals

• Entertainment and books

• Health and beauty gifts

• Home

• Mobile phones and accessories

• Opticians and DIY

• Party and gifts

• Sports and leisure

• Stationery

• Technology and gaming

• Toys

Based on current prices, top deals we've spotted on Tesco Direct include an Xbox One console with Kinect, which would be £175 in vouchers – currently £349 cash, £350 elsewhere; a Lego Star Wars Darth Vader for £10 in Clubcard vouchers and £2.12 in cash (usually £22.12 cash, £23 elsewhere); and a Barbie Glitter Hair Doll for £10 in vouchers (usually £20 in cash, £25 elsewhere).

Can I use exchange tokens on Black Friday deals?

Yes. Black Friday, which this year falls on Friday 27 November, traditionally sees retailers slash prices and offer short-lived promotions to boost pre-Christmas sales.

Tesco confirms shoppers will be able to use double-up vouchers on Black Friday deals in the categories listed above, in its Extra stores and online at Tesco Direct.

The supermarket won't tell us what its Black Friday deals include, but remember to always check prices against other retailers' to ensure you get the best deal before buying. Some products may also be excluded under the usual Boost terms and conditions so always check first.

Is there anything I can't use 'Boost' tokens on?

There are some products in the categories listed above that aren't included. The offer also isn't available with Tesco Direct partners, such as the Early Learning Centre and Mothercare, on baby formula for 0-6 months, fireworks, jewellery and watches.

Unlike previous incarnations of the deal, Tesco's Hudl tablet won't be available as the Hudl2 has sold out, the Hudl1 has been discontinued and there are no plans to release a Hudl3.

Where can I exchange vouchers?

Vouchers can be exchanged in all Tesco superstores, Extra stores and Metro stores. You can't make an exchange in Tesco Express branches. If you exchange vouchers in store, you can't however use them to make online purchases.

If you want to buy products online, you either need to exchange vouchers online, or you need to go to the Tesco Direct desk in store with your Clubcard and they will access your vouchers online and order the products for you via Boost.

If you exchange vouchers online, you can also then print them out to use in stores.

You don't need to select which department you want to spend in first – vouchers issued can be spent in any department taking part in the scheme.

However, exchange tokens cannot be swapped back into points or into cash, so make sure you'll definitely use them before converting your points.

Hang on to Tesco Clubcard vouchers - its double-up scheme begins on Monday

Where can I spend exchange tokens?

Tokens can be spent in any Tesco superstore, Extra store or Metro store where the item you want is in stock, as well as online at Tesco Direct.

You can't exchange or use a token in an Express store, but if you buy online, you can collect your purchase from selected Express stores with Click and Collect desks.

Can I get change from exchange tokens?

It depends. In stores, the cost of the products purchased must equal or exceed the value of the exchange tokens. This means you can't use a £10 token to buy an £8 item, even if you accept you'll lose £2.

But you can make up the value with smaller items that are included in the Boost event, such as some batteries, cards and gift wrap.

Online however you can use a £10 token to buy an £8 item. In this scenario, you'll get the pre-Boost change of 100 points (equivalent of £1) credited back onto your next statement.

Can I buy something worth more than I have in exchange tokens?

Yes. You can pay the difference yourself.

What if I buy something and want to return it?

Items purchased with an exchange token can only be exchanged for goods that are also part of the Boost event and which are the same or higher value.

If you want a refund, you'll get the value of the initial Clubcard voucher, NOT the doubled-up value of the exchange token.

If goods are faulty, Tesco says you'll be offered a replacement product to the same value. If however you want a refund, the original Clubcard points (not the doubled-up value) will be credited back onto your next statement. See our Consumer Rights guide for how to get your money back.