TESCO customers have slammed the supermarket over a little-known Clubcard rule that makes food more expensive for some.
Members of the loyalty scheme collect points as well as bag discounts on thousands of items not available to those without a Clubcard.
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But a little-known rule has caught one customer off-guard and meant that she had to pay more than she’d hoped at the checkout.
An angry shopper took to her local community Facebook after learning that her 16-year-old daughter wasn’t allowed to use her Clubcard.
Tesco Clubcard members usually get 50p off the full price of the supermarket’s meal deal and are charged £3.40 instead of £3.90.
But on this occasion, the shopper’s daughter was made to pay full price because she wasn’t old enough to use a Clubcard.
The mum’s post on Facebook said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting that a 16-year-old can not use a Clubcard at Tesco.
“She went in to buy her sandwich for dinner and you need a Clubcard for the meal deal and they wouldn’t allow her to use it, so she had to pay full price.
“It’s a Clubcard for Christ’s sake, not alcohol. The world’s gone crazy.”
But customers do need to be 18 or over to sign up and utilise the scheme’s benefits, according to Tesco’s terms and conditions.
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Nick Drewe, retail expert at online discount store Wethrift told Hull Live: “It will no doubt be shocking to learn that a 16-year-old simply trying to save some money on her lunch can be refused the use of a Tesco Clubcard, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, where shoppers are doing everything they can to cut down on their spending and outgoings.”
But Nick noted that there’s nothing in the rules that prevent those under 18 years old from using their parent’s Clubcards.
He also said that most customers are able to pass through the checkouts and make use of their Clubcard irrespective of their age.
Tesco declined to comment on the matter but signposted us to the Clubcard terms and conditions page.
How does the Tesco Clubcard scheme work?
Tesco’s Clubcard was launched in 1995, allowing shoppers to earn points as they shop which can then be turned into vouchers for money off food or other partner schemes.
Each time you spend £1 in store and online, you get one point when you scan your card or app.
You also get one point for every £2 spent on fuel.
One point equals 1p, so 150 points get you £1.50, for example.
You’ll need a minimum of 150 points to request a voucher.
Once you have enough points, you can turn them into vouchers worth the face value to spend in-store at Tesco, or boost their value with reward partners.
Clubcard holders also get cheaper prices on some items compared to those without the loyalty card.
What are the age rules for other loyalty schemes?
Sainsbury’s Nectar card customers collect one point for every £1 spent and also get up exclusive prices on hundreds of everyday products.
But like Tesco’s scheme, the terms and conditions also state that they need to be over the age of 18 to make use of the Nectar card programme.
Sainsbury’s also allows additional Nectar cardholders to collect points and take advantage of Nectar Prices under a single primary cardholder.
However, additional cardholders still need to be over the age of 18 to take part in the scheme – even if the primary cardholder is a parent or guardian.
Co-op’s membership scheme differs and those aged under 18 are able to sign up and take advantage of exclusive discounts.
The scheme also enables shoppers to earn 2p for every £1 spent on own-brand products.
The pennies earned back are stored in the member’s digital wallet a digital balance is tallied with your spending.
You can then spend the rewards you earn on most products in-store.
Shoppers wishing to sight up for the scheme can do so on the Co-op website.
You’ll be charged a one-off £1 fee to join the scheme.
If you’re younger than 16 you can only become a Co-op member if your parent or guardian purchases a temporary card for you in-store and then registers it by calling 0800 023 4708.
