Boots to cut Advantage points earned on spending – here's what's happening

We explain what's changing below. For more info on how to boost your Advantage points, nab baby freebies and more, see our Boots Advantage Card tips.

You'll soon get one point less for every £1 spent at Boots

The Advantage Card loyalty scheme currently rewards shoppers with four points for every £1 spent in Boots. However, from early May, this will change to three points per £1 spent. We asked Boots when exactly in May the changes will come into force, but it hasn't yet shared a specific date.

If you have a higher-priced purchase planned for later in the year, it could be worth buying before May to get the extra points – though don't use this as an excuse to overspend.

Many of the existing perks of the loyalty scheme will still be around after the change, for example:

• Each point you earn will still be worth 1p to spend in Boots. You can redeem points in store by telling the cashier you'd like to pay in points, or online by selecting the Advantage Card icon during checkout. Boots has confirmed you'll still have to have enough points to cover the whole purchase, and you won't be able to pay for part of it in points.

• You'll still be able to collect double points on your birthday month. However, from May this will only be six points per £1 spent, rather than the current eight points per £1 spent.

  So again, if it's your birthday before May and you have a high-value planned purchase, you might want to consider buying it before the shake-up. Also check out our Birthday freebies page for more birthday offers.

• Members of Boots' Parenting Club and Over-60s rewards will still be able to get eight points per £1 on certain items. This applies on baby products and Boots own-brand products respectively.

  If you're eligible for these schemes, make sure you are signed up as you'll receive more than double the points compared to standard Advantage Card members after the change.

You'll now be able to get extra discounts in different ways

At the same time as lowering the number of points standard Advantage Card-holders can earn per £1 spent, Boots will also make the following changes from May:

• Advantage Card-holders will now be able to get 10% off Boots own-brand items. This will be valid on over 6,000 products. Notable exclusions include pharmaceuticals and Boots-exclusive brands, such as No7 and Liz Earle.

• Price Advantage will be expanded to over 800 products each month with up to a third off. Under this scheme, which launched last year, Advantage Card-holders can get exclusive discounts on everyday items when they shop in store or online. See our Boots Price Advantage MSE News story for more information.

• More opportunities and promotions to earn extra points through the Boots app. Boots told us this would include a new "scratch to win" function in the app, but hasn't confirmed exactly how this will work yet.

Boots says its £10 Tuesdays, where certain items are discounted to £10, and Freebie Friday offer, where selected items are buy-one-get-one-free, are both staying.

What does Boots say?

Pete Markey, chief marketing officer at Boots, said: "Customers want to be rewarded with on-the-spot lower prices and instant value. We've also noticed that Advantage Card members are now more frequently using their points to buy essentials instead of saving them up. We've listened and have expanded the scheme to give more instant reward, immediate value and lower prices."