The Big Points Swap: Boost your Nectar Points at Sainsbury’s

Looking to get better value from your Nectar points? Then the Big Points Swap will appeal to you. This new scheme means that you will get 50% extra for your points (and possibly more) when shopping at Sainsbury’s. Take a look at how the boost works and why, although I like it, there’s one downside.

Two of the most popular loyalty cards in the UK are Tesco Clubcard and Nectar. And for many years, Tesco has edged it thanks to the great value you get when exchanging your points for one of their partner offers. Being able to boost your points by 3 times their value is a huge benefit, especially if you want a cheap day out.

In contrast, Nectar has always been a little stingier when it comes to its special boost offers. Except for the annual Nectar Double Up event, there’s always been a lack of ways to get better value or money. But, that might be due to change thanks to the Big Points Swap.

What is the Big Points Swap?

First introduced in April 2022, the Big Points Swap allows you to exchange your Nectar points for Sainsbury’s vouchers. But instead of receiving your usual 1 pence for every 2 Nectar points, you’ll receive 1.5 pence instead… 50% more.

*Thanks to JK and Stephanie in the comments. They have both been offered a 100% boost for their points.

These vouchers can be spent in-store and online at Sainsburys.co.uk

How much is the Big Points Swap worth?

• 2,000 points are worth £15 (usually £10)
• 4,000 points are worth £30 (usually £20)
• 6,000 points are worth £45 (usually £30)
• 8,000 points are worth £60 (usually £40)
• 10,000 points are worth £75 (usually £50)

How does it work?

First of all, you will need to log in to the Nectar app on your phone. That’s right, the Big Points Swap offer is not available on the Nectar website.

On the home screen, there will be a button to press for you to start swapping your points. Go ahead and select it.

On the next screen, you’ll be given a brief summary of what the scheme involves. Once you’ve read it, just select the ‘Get Started’ button.

Then, it’s a case of selecting how many points you want to convert into vouchers.

Once done, you’ll then need to choose whether you want your voucher to spend online or in-store.

Spending your voucher online

• Log in to your Sainsbury’s account
• Make sure that your Nectar card is linked to this Sainsbury’s account
• When you have selected items and you’re checking out, select ‘Redeem Coupon’ or ‘View coupons’
• Your voucher will appear as a customer service coupon. Choose this and it will be deducted from your order.

Spending your voucher in-store

• Your voucher will be saved to your Nectar app
• To find it, go to the ‘Saved’ section
• At the checkout, let the Sainsbury’s employee know that you want to use your voucher and they will scan it
• At a self-checkout, scan your Nectar card and select ‘Coupon’ on the payment screen. You can then scan the coupon that is saved on your phone

These vouchers do expire

It’s important to note that these vouchers will expire. And if they do, they’re gone for good and can’t be spent or swapped back for Nectar points.

For the April 2022 event, the vouchers must be spent by the 5th of May, which doesn’t give you much time.

Where the vouchers can’t be used

The Vouchers cannot be used in concessions, Argos or Argos at Sainsbury’s, on SmartShop Mobile Pay in Convenience Stores. A separate Nectar promotion may run concurrently at Argos.
The Voucher cannot be used on spirits and liqueurs (all alcohol in Scotland and Wales), wine (when on a buy 6, save 25% promotion), first stage baby milk products, Lottery, tobacco, vapes and related products, gift cards or vouchers, prescription and over the counter medicines, postage and savings stamps, mobile phone vouchers and cards, etop-ups, travel money, phonecards, paypoint payments, charity products, carrier bags, fuel and car park tickets, cashback, saveback, vending machines, or concessions or at Sainsbury’s Cafe.

All other products and categories are included.

So, what’s the downside?

As you will have read above, although this is a good offer, there is a downside. It does appear that the Big Point Swap is here to replace the Double Up event. So instead of getting double value for your points, you’ll only get 1.5x instead.

Of course, this is a shame. But the Big Point Swap does have one big advantage. Your vouchers can be spent on groceries, which the Double Up event never allowed you to do.

When will the next Big Points Swap event happen?

This is hard to tell because it’s a brand new event. But the Nectar Double Up event used to run twice a year when it started, so I can’t see why this wouldn’t be the same.

My guess is we will see the Big Points Swap again around October or November.

If you can’t wait for the next event, why not take a look at my post for the best places to spend your Nectar points?