Sainsbury's to give vulnerable customers access to Nectar double points promo – after MSE steps in

Update 17 November: The double-up ends tomorrow (Wednesday), but if you're clinically extremely vulnerable, you can still swap your vouchers for double points by contacting Sainsbury's.

Nectar launched its double-up event just before the latest English lockdown was announced, with shoppers able to swap points for twice their value in vouchers, but these could only be redeemed in store at larger Sainsbury's between Wednesday 11 and Tuesday 17 November, with no online redemption available.

However, following a campaign by Martin, Sainsbury's has agreed to allow 'clinically extremely vulnerable' customers – who have been told to limit contact during the current lockdown – to swap back any points already exchanged if they're unable to go into a store. And, instead of simply getting back what they put in, they'll keep hold of the doubled points value to spend another time.

Martin had urged Sainsbury's to change its 'double-up' promo, which allows shoppers to double Nectar points to spend in store at Sainsbury's in certain categories such as clothing, homeware and electricals. This came in a series of tweets (seen below) and was picked up by newspapers too.  

Martin had a virtual meeting with senior Sainsbury's management this week to discuss the issue and reach a resolution.

For any shopper who wants to go into a store, the promotion will continue as advertised. Those who have swapped points and are shielding but aren't 'clinically extremely vulnerable' can switch vouchers back to points but won't receive double.

Who can swap points back?

Clinically extremely vulnerable shoppers who have a letter from their GP will be able to contact Sainsbury's customer service to have doubled points reimbursed. You can call Sainsbury's on 0344 811 0811.

If you're shielding for whatever reason but aren't clinically extremely vulnerable and have swapped points to use in the double-up, you'll be able to swap them back but WON'T receive double points. Again, you'll need to ring Sainsbury's on the number above.

If you're clinically extremely vulnerable and have already swapped your points back (following Sainsbury's initial change to the promo at the end of last week), you can now contact customer services to receive double your points after the policy tweak.

You can save these points to spend in store at a later date, including on any future double-up promotions, use them online at Sainsbury's and Argos or spend them at specific Nectar partners – for more on this, see our Loyalty Points Boosting guide. 

What does Sainsbury's say?

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, most of the products included in the promotion are not available to buy online, so we are unable to offer double-up online. Where clinically extremely vulnerable customers have already redeemed points during... 28 October to 3 November, we will reimburse double their points so that they can get great value again once they are able to go back into store.

"Where clinically extremely vulnerable customers have a letter from their GP, our customer service team will support them in arranging points to be added to their account."

For more info on the Nectar double-up and how it works, see our Loyalty Points Boosting guide.