My wallet is literally overflowing with loyalty cards from different stores and programs. Being a frugal person at heart, I always shop with the best deals in mind, saving money through coupons and sales PLUS using rewards where I can to make the deal even sweeter.
Yet, back to the wallet full of cards, I have to admit that I don’t use most of them. According to the 2013 COLLOQUY Loyalty Census, the average Canadian household is involved in an average of 8+ loyalty programs. Are you the same way?
I mainly shop at the same stores over and over, so the cards that aren’t used much were mostly one-time signups to get a deal on the spot, never to be used again. So, while I tend to use the same select reward cards over and over, I always wondered – am I sticking true to the right ones for me?
I was recently introduced to a fantastic site and resource, www.compareloyaltyprograms.ca. Built on consumer research by Environics Research Group, the free tool compares 61 of the most popular loyalty programs {along with their affiliated credit cards} in Canada.
The site is based on research that means we can assess the value of a loyalty program in terms of how long it will take to get to the reward you want, whether it’s travel, merchandise or even cash-back rewards.
To use the tool, all you have to do is answer a few questions about your shopping habits and preferred rewards. Then, it presents you with up to three loyalty programs that will get you to YOUR desired rewards faster. I must say, it’s that easy.
When I took the test, it showed me that I was on the right track in my rewards collecting. It turns out the cards and points that I collect most are exactly the ones suited to my shopping habits and ‘end game.’ For me, AIR MILES should be the card placed front and centre so I don’t forget to use it and earn my reward miles.
Given this information, I was able to streamline my wallet and feel more confident that I really am getting the biggest bang for my buck. Based on my spending habits, this is the program that will get me my desired rewards faster. Now I can finally get rid of the stragglers that are taking up space in my wallet {of which I’ll never see a reward from, I’m sure}, and concentrate on using the cards that will actually provide results.
Check out www.compareloyaltyprograms.ca for yourself. It’s a free, easy to use tool that provides valuable information on the many rewards programs available to Canadians. Most importantly, it allows you to discover where your reward loyalties should lie – making that end game for you, easier and faster to achieve.
Is your wallet suffering from loyalty program overload? Try out the tool and let me know what you think!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, opinions are my own.
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Sarah says
09/24/2013 at 10:12 amGood tips – my wallet is also very overwhelming and I miss out I think… must spend some thought on it!
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:13 pmThats what I was worried about, getting the most out of them. Glad this tool is available, for free!
Greta says
09/24/2013 at 10:15 amWhat a great idea! sometimes one plan that looks like a great deal really isn’t the best for your lifestyle or in the long run.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:13 pmSo true, Greta!
Stacie says
09/24/2013 at 10:19 amMy wallet is overflowing too! There’s a few of them I use a lot like AIR MILES and Ultramar. What a neat site. Thanks for sharing!
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:14 pmI’m so happy this site is out, answers a lot of questions for many, I’m sure! We need to watch where our loyalties lie!
sonya says
09/24/2013 at 10:37 amIf you have a Iphone, download “Stocard”. It’s a free app. Best one that I’ve downloaded. Saves me from carrying all the cards in my wallet. You just download the app, scan the cards (Winners, Airmiles, Gas cards,etc). When you go shopping, just pull out your cell phone, they scan the card. It’s organized, you get the points without carrying all the cards with you.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:15 pmI’ll need to look into that Sonya, I had no idea an app existed!
mara says
09/24/2013 at 10:46 amI love this. I’m part of a few loyalty programs that I like a lot, but it would be great to assess which are working best for me.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:15 pmYES!
Angela says
09/24/2013 at 10:51 amThis is neat. I love loyalty programs, but am sure there are some great ones I am missing out on.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:16 pmTake the test, Angela. The results may shock you, but it’ll be good to know where to concentrate to get the best bang for your buck!
Melissa says
09/24/2013 at 11:17 amMy wallet is overlfowing as well and most I dont use! I wish there was an app for loyalty cards!
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:16 pmRead up in the comments Melissa, apparently there is!
Kelly says
09/24/2013 at 12:23 pmWhat a great resource, heading there right now to see my results.
trish says
10/07/2013 at 10:40 amI love love shoppers optimum
Ali Piwtorak says
10/07/2013 at 10:44 amSays I should have Air Miles, and that’s the one I use the least. lol… I tend to buy groceries more than anything, so I love my Club Sobeys card!!
Anne Taylor says
10/07/2013 at 11:29 amI’ve done the test before and I was recommended to use Air Miles! We basically use Air Miles only.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:17 pmGreat to hear you are on the right track!
caryn s says
10/07/2013 at 11:33 amGreat info! I will have to take the test as i have so many cards my wallet won’t close anymore!
sarah j jackson says
10/07/2013 at 3:29 pmI really like these programs , yes I have a wallet full of cards but I use them ! eventually these points add up and even if you can gift yourself something small free is a good feeling
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
10/07/2013 at 7:03 pmI have seen a lot of free movies with my scene card I love it.
Tammi says
10/08/2013 at 2:18 pmThat’s a great card to have! Especially with larger families like mine, the rewards add up fast!
Victoria Ess says
10/08/2013 at 6:08 amThis is great! I bookmarked the site to check out over the weekend. I’ve been planning to get rid of some of my many loyalty programs for a while now.
kelly young says
10/08/2013 at 9:37 ami love all loyalty programs love free things or savings thanks was interesting
Susie says
10/08/2013 at 12:44 pmWow, I didn’t even think there would be a way to stream line this. Thanks for the tips. My wallet is busting out because of all the loyalty cards. I’ve recently relocated to the south from the northeast and I still carry cards for stores that aren’t even located in the south…..just in case!
Kristy. V says
10/09/2013 at 10:35 amI’m not big on points cards…..except ofcourse for the amazing Shoppers Optimum program….every mommy should shop there! Thanks
Judy C (Cowan) says
10/09/2013 at 2:12 pmThanks for sharing, I will have to check this site out. I too have many loyalty cards, some I have got something back out of, others nothing.
June S. says
10/09/2013 at 5:13 pm(Which Loyalty Programs are Best for You?) I really like my loyalty program through my credit card company a lot.
June S. says
10/10/2013 at 5:19 pm(Which Loyalty Programs are Best for You?) My husband & I are pretty satisfied with our rewards program through some of our credit cards. We get to use them on Amazon.
Heidi C. says
10/12/2013 at 8:21 pmI can’t wait to try this! Hopefully, I can alleviate the weight of my wallet a little bit!
Amanda @ The Mommy Mix says
10/14/2013 at 9:55 amLove this but I think it would be even better if all the loyalty cards had apps for your smartphone
Christy Martin says
10/18/2013 at 6:39 amMine went with Air Miles as well, which I rarely use. I make more use out of my Optimum, Sobeys and Sears points via credit card (love Sears for this).
Ali Piwtorak says
10/18/2013 at 4:01 pmMy favorite loyalty program is Club Sobeys!
Christy Martin says
10/19/2013 at 7:51 amMine also said Air Miles and it is the one I use the least. I use my Optimum and Sobeys the most! I can’t imagine not having either.
Holly says
10/19/2013 at 11:43 pmI love this. I am also guilty of having a ton of loyalty cards, and never using most. I use Scene the most, but only because my debit card in linked to it. I have a ton of free movies piling up and never really use them. What I do like about scene is you can also get gift cards for swiss chalet! 🙂
Aliya D says
10/21/2013 at 1:36 pmPretty cool! I just took the test and it seems I am already using the two best cards matched to me (Airmiles & Aeroplan). Thanks!
MLV says
10/21/2013 at 9:32 pmoh my gosh! I have so many cards & I always switch purses and sometimes leave some cards out. I try to use an app on my phone but that doesn’t always work then again, I haven’t entered more than 4 of them. The test tells me that I should use Air Miles, Aeroplan & Petro points. I use my Air Miles often enough. But I also favor my Optimum & Esso card
Darlene Schuller says
10/24/2013 at 7:52 amIt’s important to read up on all your club cards and know what the benefits etc are, I had no idea that Air Miles was accepted at sooo many places, guess I’m lost further in the dark then I thought lol.