TIPS ON GETTING MAXIMUM BENEFIT

loyalty programme requires it.

4. Only buy what you need or want. Don’t buy something or fly to some strange destination simply to earn points.

5. Read the FAQs. Go online to find out more. If you’re tired of reading or too lazy to do so, phone the friendly customer services and ask questions until you understand how it all works. Phone them or e-mail them as often as you need to.

6. Look for specials and additional discounts and make use of bonus benefits whenever you can. For example, convert your Absa Cash Rewards to Pick n Pay Smart Shopper points and receive an additional 15 percent worth of Smart Shopper points.

7. Be patient – programmes are designed to keep your loyalty over a period of time. You earn rewards slowly. There is no instant gratification.

8. Consider multiple memberships – when you belong to different rewards programmes, you can fill more gaps. Remember that membership to one programme doesn’t bar you from belonging to another programme.

9. Claim your rewards, redeem your vouchers regularly.

10. Stay up to date with changes. Programmes are constantly reviewed because they need to satisfy consumers’ ever-changing needs and stay relevant in a competitive market.

11. Complain if you’re unhappy. Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) deals with customer loyalty programmes and states that loyalty programmes are a legal medium of exchange, but that in terms of a refusal to redeem points, the supplier must notify the consumer of the times at which the consumer may not redeem the points.

This notice must be given timeously and the period of time in which the redemption of points may be excluded is limited to 90 days in a year.