My Top Loyalty Schemes Ranked: The Ones Worth Your Time and the One I Am Calling Out
I have been collecting points since before most people knew collecting points was a thing you could do strategically. Over the years I have tried a lot of schemes, kept the ones that actually deliver, and quietly abandoned the ones that waste your time. Here is my honest, unfiltered ranking of the loyalty programmes I actually use and why.
1. Avios and British Airways Executive Club
The foundation of my entire travel strategy. Everything else builds around this. The shopping portal earns you points on everyday online spending, the American Express transfer partnership is one of the best in the UK, and the reward flights are still genuinely excellent value when you know how to find them. Free to join, essential to have.
2. American Express
Not a standalone scheme but the engine that powers everything else. Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Avios, unlock the companion voucher, and can be redeemed through their own portal for products and hotel stays. If you only add one financial product to your wallet for points purposes, make it an Amex. Always pay the balance in full every month without exception.
3. Boots Advantage Card and Scan to Recycle
Boots is my most consistent points earner for beauty and everyday health spending and I will defend this until my last breath. The double and triple points events are genuinely valuable, the personalised app offers add up significantly over time, and the Scan to Recycle scheme is one of the most slept on points opportunities available. Every empty product you return earns you points. This scheme meaningfully contributed to me getting a £299.99 Shark CryoGlow mask for free. Do not overlook it.
4. Space NK Indulge
If you spend on premium skincare and beauty brands Space NK is essential. The brands they stock are excellent and the rewards programme reflects that quality. Following the Ulta Beauty acquisition I am watching their brand expansion closely because new American brands coming to the UK through Space NK could make this scheme even more valuable.
5. Sephora
I have two accounts, one UK and one US, because the American programme is superior in terms of rewards, birthday gifts, and redemption options. If you travel to the States regularly this is worth setting up. American Sephora points accumulate quickly if you are also buying on behalf of friends who ask you to bring things back.
6. Heathrow Rewards
This one is criminally underrated and I want more people to talk about it. If you fly from Heathrow regularly, which I do, you are leaving points on the table if you are not enrolled. You earn rewards on food and drink purchases in the terminal, duty free spending, and parking. I have redeemed mine for makeup and money off duty free purchases. It is on Apple Wallet which makes it effortless to use.
7. Adidas and Nike Membership
As someone who loves trainers this one matters to me personally. Adidas rewards you with points on purchases that convert into vouchers. Nike membership offers member only prices, early access to releases, and exclusive products. Neither of these is going to fund a flight to New York but they make buying trainers meaningfully cheaper over time.
8. H&M Member Rewards
Simple, consistent, and genuinely useful for everyday wardrobe spending. Members get regular discounts, members only offers, and points that convert into money off future purchases. Not glamorous but reliable.
The One I Have to Mention: Superdrug Beauty Card
Look. I go to Superdrug. I have their loyalty card. I am not going to pretend otherwise. But if anyone from Superdrug is reading this and wants to challenge me on why Boots is doing it better, my DMs are open. The range in Boots is simply broader and the rewards programme more generous. I say this as someone who holds both cards. Boots wins.
The Overall Strategy
Sign up to every scheme that matches how you actually live and spend. Do not spread yourself across so many programmes that none of them build meaningfully. Be loyal, be consistent, and let the points accumulate before you spend them. And always, always check for the double points events. They are where the real acceleration happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best loyalty scheme in the UK?
It depends on your lifestyle. For travel, Avios combined with an American Express card is the most powerful combination for UK based frequent travellers. For beauty and everyday health spending, Boots Advantage Card consistently delivers strong value.
What is Heathrow Rewards and how does it work?
Heathrow Rewards is the loyalty programme for Heathrow Airport. You earn points on spending at participating shops, restaurants, duty free, and parking. Points can be redeemed for vouchers. It is free to join and available on Apple Wallet.
What is the Boots Scan to Recycle scheme?
Boots offers Advantage Card points in exchange for returning empty product packaging at in store recycling points. It contributed significantly to me saving enough for a product worth £299.99.
Can you transfer Avios between family members?
Yes, the British Airways Household Account allows family members living at the same address to pool their Avios into one account. This can significantly accelerate how quickly you reach meaningful redemption levels.
