Sainsbury's to run Nectar 'double-up' promo next month

Sainsbury's has today confirmed (16 October) that for the first time, you can spend up to £200 double-up vouchers in ANY of the 11 selected categories. You don't have to choose a category in advance, as in previous years.

The promo lets you double the value of your points on selected items including toys, Christmas decorations and homeware, and this year includes the new categories of cosmetics, skincare and fragrance.

You'll be able to exchange your points for double-up vouchers online between 29 October and 4 November, or in store between 5 and 18 November. You can then redeem them in store between 12 and 18 November.

The popular promotion is a regular fixture at this time of year, and is eagerly anticipated by Nectar point collectors.

See our  guide for more on how the Nectar scheme works, plus info on the Tesco Clubcard and Boots Advantage schemes.

What are Nectar points?

Nectar is the loyalty scheme used by Sainsbury's to reward its customers for shopping at the supermarket. You can also collect Nectar points when spending at other retailers including Argos, Asos and eBay, and when shopping at certain retailers via the Nectar website (see the full list of participating brands).

Shoppers currently earn one Nectar point per £1 spent at Sainsbury's, and when redeemed in store at Sainsbury's, each Nectar point is usually worth 0.5p – so 1,000 points equates to £5. But you can often get more for your points by exchanging them via the Nectar website to spend on days out, entertainment and restaurants.

How does the Nectar double-up event work?

You can exchange up to 20,000 points in denominations of 1,000, 2,000 or 5,000 Nectar points. You can get your double-up voucher online between 29 October and 4 November, or in store between 5 and 18 November. 

Each 1,000 points exchanged for a double-up voucher is worth £10, twice the usual £5.

You can spend your double-up vouchers in store between 12 and 18 November.

What can I exchange points on?

You can exchange points in the following 11 categories:

• Cosmetics

• Electricals

• Entertainment

• Fragrance

• Gifts

• Homeware

• Seasonal goods

• Skincare

• Taste the Difference wine, champagne, sparkling wine, sherry and port

• Toys

• Tu clothing (including footwear and accessories)

Where can I exchange points?

You can exchange Nectar points for double-up vouchers online or in stores, at the customer service desk or designated tills. You can't exchange points in Sainsbury's Locals, Centrals, or at Sainsbury's petrol stations.

Where can I spend vouchers?

Double-up vouchers can only be spent in stores (not online). Sainsbury's Locals and petrol stations are excluded.

Vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable, so make sure you will definitely spend in that category before exchanging. You can't earn Nectar points on the double-up purchase.

How many vouchers can I get?

You can get up to £200 in vouchers, per Nectar card.

What happens if I lose my voucher?

Vouchers are non-refundable, so if you lose a voucher there's no way to recover your points. Keep 'em safe!

Can I buy something worth more than I have in vouchers?

Yes. If your item is worth more than the value of your voucher, you can pay the remaining total in cash or by credit or debit card.

Alternatively, you can use any Nectar points you have remaining on your card at the rate of £5 equals 1,000 points to pay the difference. You must have a minimum of £2.50's worth of points before you can spend them.

Can I get change from double-up vouchers?

Here it gets a little fiddly:

• If the difference in price between your voucher and what you want to buy is more than 5p... you'll have to buy other items from your selected category for the full value of the Nectar voucher to be spent in one transaction.

• If the difference is 5p or less... Sainsbury's will knock it off your total shopping bill, or give it to you as change if you aren't buying anything else.

What if I buy something and want to return it?

If you change your mind about a double-up item, as long as you have proof of purchase and it's in its original condition, it can be returned or exchanged within 30 days in line with Sainsbury's usual returns policy.