The loyalty cards shoppers actually use, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl coming out on top

Tesco Clubcard, Sainsbury’s Nectar card and Lidl Plus are the loyalty schemes shoppers use most often, according to new research, suggesting they could be the top schemes for consumers to use.*

The figures come from the popular discount code site MyVoucherCodes. It surveyed shoppers on their usage of 19 major brands’ loyalty programs, uncovering which ones get the most use, potentially indicating which ones are most worth using.

Around two in five (39%) of those with a Tesco Clubcard said it’s the scheme they use most often out of those they’re signed up to, by far the most used loyalty program in the study.

A fifth (20%) of Sainsbury’s Nectar card holders said it was the card they used more often, making it the second most used in the UK. It’s then a big drop to Lidl Plus in third - 9% of its members said it was their most frequently used card.

The numbers highlight that supermarket cards are comfortably the most used across the country, with 6% of Morrison’s More and ASDA Rewards cardholders also stating they use them the most often.

Outside of supermarkets, Boots’ Advantage Card is the most used, with 3% of holders stating it’s the one they use most frequently.

Supermarket cards are also among the most-owned loyalty schemes, with Tesco Clubcard again being at the top of the list. Over three-quarters (78%) of shoppers said they own a Clubcard, while 60% said they have a Nectar card.

Boots was also the most owned card outside of supermarkets, with 45% of shoppers stating that they have one. Pret Perks had the fewest members out of those on the list, with only 2% of shoppers stating that they’re part of the scheme.

Overall, 94% of shoppers said that they own at least one loyalty card, highlighting that these schemes still have high uptake in 2025.

Sarah-Jane Outten, shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said:

If you’re unsure of which ones are actually worth getting, these results highlight that supermarket loyalty programmes are the ones you’re probably going to use most often, since you’re likely to visit these stores so frequently.

“This doesn’t mean they’re the only cards worth getting, though. If there’s any other store you visit regularly, there’s a good chance you’ll get some savings on your normal spending from its loyalty scheme. These are my five top tips for using these types of cards:

• Only Get Cards for Places You Shop at Regularly – Most schemes incentivise consistent, long-term spending. If you use the store regularly, you’ll build up savings on top of your normal purchases, so it’ll essentially give you discounts for doing nothing.
• Avoid Spending Just to Earn Points – Be careful about making purchases purely for the sake of earning points, as you could end up spending more than you save anyway.
• Utilise Apps – Many loyalty schemes now have their own apps with exclusive discounts. If you’re already signed up, it’s worth downloading these in case there are any extra deals you could take advantage of.
• Redeem Rewards Tactically – You can get the most out of your points by building them up and redeeming them when they benefit you most.
• Try Voucher Codes – Loyalty cards aren’t the only way to save. You can often take advantage of discount codes to get extra savings on your purchase. It only takes seconds to check, so it’s well worth exploring if any codes are available before you buy.”