Dosh dilemma: Julie always forgets her loyalty card – how she can stop leaving money at the till

Julie is on a mission this year - to spend less and save more. And one place she’s convinced she can claw back some cash is the supermarket.

There’s just one small problem… Julie is terrible at remembering her loyalty card.

You know the feeling. You get to the checkout, see the ‘members’ price’ flash up on the screen and suddenly realise you’re paying more and missing out on points.

So Julie wants to know two things:

A) How can she stop forgetting it in the first place?
B) And if she does forget it… is it game over?

Julie, we feel your pain. Forgetting a loyalty card feels like leaving money on the conveyor belt.

But don’t worry, here’s how to make it much harder to forget, and what to do when your brain lets you down anyway.

How to stop forgetting your loyalty card

Keep it with your bank card

If you prefer a physical card, make life easy for yourself. Store your loyalty card with your debit or credit card, so when you pay, you can earn points.

Download the retailer’s app

Most supermarkets now offer a digital loyalty card in their app. That means your card lives on your phone, so there’s no rummaging through your wallet required.

Just don’t forget to take your phone shopping with you, and maybe charge it beforehand.

Take a screenshot

But if you hate apps, there may be a solution. Take a screenshot of your loyalty card’s barcode and save it to your phone. When you’re at the checkout, just scan the image.

Add a reminder (or three)

Sometimes you just need a nudge.

Try:

• a sticky note in your wallet
• a note on the fridge
• a reminder on your phone before your usual shopping time

Something simple like: ‘Loyalty card = free money’.

Have a ‘shopping kit’

If you use the same bag every time you shop, keep your loyalty card permanently tucked inside.

All is not lost…

Julie, if you do forget your loyalty card, then all is not lost.

In many supermarkets, you can still claim your rewards later, as long as you do a few key things.

Mention it at the till

If you realise at the checkout that you’ve forgotten your card, tell the staff. They may be able to issue a special receipt that makes claiming points later easier.

Keep your receipt

Don’t bin the receipt. Many loyalty schemes allow you to add missing points, often through:

• an online form
• your app or account
• customer services

There’s usually a time limit, for example, around 14 days at some supermarkets, or longer at others, so don’t leave it too long.

Know your membership number

If you’ve got an online account, your membership number is usually stored there. Having this handy makes it much easier for customer services to add your points manually.

Contact customer services

If all else fails, reach out via the retailer’s website or phone line. With your receipt details and loyalty number, they can often add the points to your account for you.

Loyalty cards might be small, but the savings add up fast. A few small habits, such as screenshots and reminders, can stop you missing out on discounts and points that are rightfully yours.