FlyBuys / Everyday Rewards - is it worth the effort?

inherentchoice on 22/03/2015 - 18:23
Last edited 22/03/2015 - 23:27

Honestly can't remember the last time I spent over $30 at a Colsworths supermarket.

I am a single guy and spend about $15 or less 2-3 times a week on groceries. Have no loyalty to any particular supermarket, I generally just pop in and out of whatever one is convenient, also go to Aldi or local fruit shop.

Would it be worth the time and effort for me to sign up to a rewards program, then lug the card around everywhere and remember to scan it; and then to browse any possible rewards to redeem something before the points expire? Can't 'big brother' trace my spending habits with these cards?

I already get the ING Direct 2% cashback.

What is your experience with these rewards programs?

What kinds of rewards have you obtained and for how much spending?

Poll Options

  • 7
    No, not really worth getting any rewards card for my level of spending.
  • 59
    Yes, get both the Everyday Rewards and FlyBuys card.
  • 2
    Just get the Everyday Rewards card.
  • 10
    Just get the FlyBuys card.
  • 1
    Get some other rewards card. (comment below)
Food & Grocery

Comments

  • happychild100 on 22/03/2015 - 18:59
    +1

    No real reason to not get both as they are both free to get. Personally, as woolworths is my closest store, that's where i'll do my big main shop for the week as that way i can put as much on the one shop and get whatever many QFF points i can from it (over $30), even if it's just 10points. It'll add up slowly so whether you just use it on gift cards or flights, there's no reason not to have it.

    As for Coles, there's no minimum limit to get flybuys points, plus they send out tons of extra point offers. Again, it will probably take a bit to have any value but if you do 4 of the coles surverys, that's $10 off already.

    Personally i have a amex velocity card where i can get 2 points per dollar at coles and woolworths so that just adds up too, plus a visa velocity card for where amex isn't accepted or has a fee that would outweigh the points i get.

    I've never quite seen the deal around these 5% and 2% cashback cards. On an average $30 payment, your cashback is 60cents (2%). Sure it adds up but it's more hassle than it's worth to me, i'd rather use my velocity cards to get points. My opinion of them anyway.

    As for rewards, well i'm currently still able to make up a returns worth of flights each year to Perth and back to Brisbane. (About 34,000 points)

    • inherentchoice on 22/03/2015 - 23:14

      Thanks for sharing. Might have to investigate the AMEX card. Looks like it has no annual fee?

      So with your AMEX velocity, to earn 34,000 points a year would require about $17,000 spending right?

      So if that buys about $600 worth of return flights that is about a 3.5% return so that is better than 2% from ING. But I'm just assuming $600 and I'm not sure what would be the actual price of those return flights to Perth.

      According to Donga100 "Average/min value of 1000 points is around $5". So 2 points per dollar = 1%. In which case wouldn't it be better for each $100 spent, to have $2 of real money, rather than 200 velocity points?

      When I do fly I find that Tiger or Jetstar is often half the price of Virgin and I usually take carry on only. It's even less than half on most sales. May be a lot more tacky but my point is that the dollar value of velocity rewards is restricted to the more expensive airline whereas the equivalent in cash could take you much further on the budget airlines.

      • happychild100 on 22/03/2015 - 23:47

        Not quite, the red basic card has no annual fee but you don't get the 2x points at coles or woolworths. I have a Gold velocity amex card which does have an annual fee but i also get 2 virgin lounge passes, travel insurance and some protections, so it balances out for me. For some reason it is no longer available though.

        Not $17,000 points no, because i'm getting the 2x on any of my coles/woolworths shops, plus there is the velocity estore which can get you more points, i spend a bit on ebay so the 2x points(sometimes 4x) is also quite handy, considering i'm already going to spend the money. The 2% cashrewards cashback is possibly more valuable but i choose velocity points since i need it more.

        As for my flights, the thing is that it's 16,900points +$17 taxes for pretty much most flights, so i'll generally use points at a time where it might cost a fair bit normally (eg school holidays). So it could really be worth anywhere between ~$250 right up to ~$400 or whatever the price will be. Getting points also means i'm not just impulse spending the cashback i might receive though this is just my choice remember.

        I should note that if it's much cheaper to fly tiger or jetstar, i will. I have a limit of what i'm personally preferred to pay with Virgin. So for me flying to Perth and back, points are better. However i'm not sure what your lifestyle is like so indeed spending it on money off at the shops or gift cards may be more valuable.

        • happychild100 on 23/03/2015 - 03:03

          Just to clarify on the points/flights. It's 16900points for Perth to Brisbane and vice versa and that its ~$250-~$400 for a one-way flights.

          Basically, i go for any points i can get because they are more beneficial to me since i make across the country trips, it may not be so much for you. Ff you don't do a lot of flying than perhaps the different types of cashbacks are better, i know cashrewards are also mentioned a lot here for online purchases if you do any, especially for eBay.

          That's not to say that you shouldn't get a flybuys card and a woolworths QFF card, as long as you don't go out of your way to spend money for points then it will just be a slow accrual to $10 off your shop at coles, or any flights or random gift cards from the Qantas Store or so. As also mentioned, you can get an app to have the bar codes for them instead, if you'd rather not carry them, though they sometimes may not work.

          Hope this helps.

  • CrazyMexican on 22/03/2015 - 19:13
    +2

    Flybuys as no minimum is required and extra points for a short survey every month. 30$ is a bit too high for accumulating minimum points at woolworths if you don't shop that much…

    • Schezwon on 23/03/2015 - 02:12
      +1

      That is so true! I don't even bother with everyday rewards.

    • Jared17 on 28/03/2015 - 23:04
      +1

      Yeah. I just use Flybuys. In my case I live near to both although closer to Coles. With the extra 500 from surveys and no limit, I just shop at Coles. Plus target also uses Flybuys.

      Only go to woollies for specials and don't spend more than $30 most the time as I live alone now, so the everyday rewards is mostly useless to me.

      • CrazyMexican on 28/03/2015 - 23:26

        Exactly :D totally agree

  • RockyRaccoon on 22/03/2015 - 19:17
    +3

    then lug the card around everywhere and remember to scan it

    Why lug it around, get some student who is hard up for cash to carry it for you if it's that heavy… :)

    ( verb (used with object), lugged, lugging. to pull or carry with force or effort: eg to lug a suitcase upstairs.)

  • [Deactivated] on 22/03/2015 - 19:42
    +1

    I don't think you'd have to worry about points expiry now that both programs have changed the rules.

    With flybuys you have to earn points or redeem them them once in a 12 month period in order to make sure that none of the points expire.

    With Qantas Frequent Flyer (the only way to earn points through Woolworths Everyday Rewards), you have to earn a single point each 18 months in order to stop all of the points expiring.

    Most people can earn at least one point during these time periods.

    It's difficult to gain a huge amount of points from either program when you spend less than $30 in a single transaction.

    Both programs will probably add up what you are spending each week and ask you to spend that amount in one transaction, which isn't always practical for some people.

    Occasionally Everyday Rewards will allow multiple transactions each week to reach the target. Flybuys very rarely allows this type of targeted offer.

    The suggestion of filling in the Tell Coles survey each month will help you make use of the flybuys points faster is a good one. You can redeem points for $10 of flybuys dollars as soon as you get to 2000 points. You can then use this to pay for your groceries.

    Most targeted offers on general spends will have a minimum of $30 to get points. If you get targeted offers on specific departments you may be able to get bonus points for these. For example both programs have offers such as 100 points for $10 of fruit and vegetables. You may be able to attract these types of offers with your small transaction shopping.

    At the moment the minimum number of QFF points you need to get a reward is 750 points for a $5 giftcard. These gift cards are sent once every 3 months provided you get the mimimum points and have signed up to the Auto Rewards system.

  • retiredfeline on 22/03/2015 - 19:54
    +4

    There's no downside to having the cards and not using them when it doesn't suit you. Ignore their offers for long enough and they will send you some juicy targeted offers. Like the recent $10 off $40 for 3 weeks. My Opal card's going to bulge. :)

  • silverrat23 on 22/03/2015 - 20:29
    +6

    There is an app that allow you to store the barcodes of loyalty cards on smartphones. All you have to do is show them the screen displaying a picture of the barcode. This removes the need to carry cards around.

    Link to app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.stocard.sto…

    • inherentchoice on 23/03/2015 - 01:28
      +2

      Awesome thanks for the link. Signed up to FlyBuys and this app let me input the card number to generate the barcode. Now I can start using it without lugging around that heavy card.

      However it is already trying to offer me junk mail.

      • RockyRaccoon on 23/03/2015 - 08:14
        +1

        Thats rather selfish, now some poor student loses an opportunity … :)

        BTW open anoher email account and use that if you dont like junk mail

        • inherentchoice on 23/03/2015 - 08:55
          +1

          The junk mail is offered through the app itself.

      • Geewhizz on 26/03/2015 - 07:16

        However it is already trying to offer me junk mail.

        Did you leave a review? When I saw your comment I thought there may have been an option to get an ad-free version for a couple of $, but there doesn't appear to be.

        • inherentchoice on 26/03/2015 - 08:37

          A review on Google Play? No I haven't. Should I?

    • inherentchoice on 28/03/2015 - 14:19

      Well I finally went to Coles but I couldn't get the self service checkout to scan my phone. Turned up the brightness and everything. Spent a minute trying to scanning on the attachment to the eftpos machine which says 'FlyBuys scan here' as well as the main barcode scanner. Gave up. Did I do something wrong?

      • retiredfeline on 28/03/2015 - 14:22

        Depends on the type of scanner. If there's a laser then it only works for reflective barcodes not light emitting devices like your smartphone screen.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2015 - 14:39

        Inherentchoice - reading a screen with a 'turned up the brightness' scanner, would have had the opposite effect, in any case.

        Barcode scanners don't read the black bars - they read the spaces in-between.

        • inherentchoice on 28/03/2015 - 14:59

          Well I had tickets on my phone for the Airtrain and they wouldn't scan until I turned up the brightness.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2015 - 15:13

          @inherentchoice: Reflective angle - luck thereof, in relation to. Most likely.

          'Turned up brightness' may also turn up a gain-control of a different sort.

          Intricacies of barcode-scanner design, I know not.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/03/2015 - 23:58
    +1

    "What kinds of rewards have you obtained and for how much spending?"

    My aim is to get as few base points as possible and to get as many bonus points as possible. I aim to spend as little as possible to get the bonus points. This means swapping between supermarkets depending on the specials and the targeted offers for that particular week.

    I usually redeem $10 of flybuys dollars every second week. That's based on regular spending, tell coles and targeted offers. I don't have the credit cards or the insurance policies that earn you extra flybuys points. QFF points take longer to earn/redeem but Everyday Rewards often have really good offers like $5 off $30 or $50 spend so I get more in cash discounts than points when it comes to Everyday Rewards.

  • sparkles on 23/03/2015 - 10:12
    +1

    Even though in the OP's case I'd probably recommend just getting FlyBuys points wise, it would still be worth getting Everyday Rewards for the extra discounts on certain products in the store. Some specials in Woolworths require you to scan your card to get the lower price.

  • tebbybabes on 23/03/2015 - 12:21
    +1

    I don't think I've ever gotten anything out of my everyday rewards card other than specific specials that only activate if you scan your card. However, I don't really care. I use it because it stores my fuel vouchers for me. I have no need to tear the fuel voucher off the end of my receipt and I don't have to remember to keep them somewhere and I don't have to remember to throw away old unused ones. :)

  • Brendoo on 23/03/2015 - 14:47
    +1

    With Everyday Rewards you also get certain items in the store at a lower price than without the card. They also have regular bonuses, such as spend $120 and get 750 points or spend $80 and get 500 points. Typically once every 4-6 weeks I get those offers. Then i just buy a bunch of non-perishable stuff for $80 or $120 that I always use and it reduces the cost of my regular shopping for a while.
    I'm similar to you, single and groceries per week never cost more than $50 for a regular week, so the bonuses boost the points a lot.

    • uder on 07/08/2015 - 11:01

      Or just top up your Opal card!

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 23/03/2015 - 15:00

    No. I learned this about 10 years ago, when I started shopping at Aldi. The money I save allowed me to buy better quality meats at the butchers, Fruit & Veg nearby, plus support small business as well. Given my car has a 60 litre tank, regardless of the price, I still only save 4c a litre.

  • Chik5555 on 23/03/2015 - 23:58

    It's worth getting, even if it takes you a while to accrue points.
    You could keep your numbers written down in your phone and they type it in (at least you can for fly buys), or an app like stocard. Then you don't have to carry the card

  • Shadow54 on 24/03/2015 - 08:24
    +1

    Get them but whatever you do do not get sucked into the promotions and bonus points business. Just use when shopping anyway and every time you've spent about $2000 you will get a miserable reward worth $10. Yes, your shopping habits will be analysed and potentially your physical moments can be tracked as well - it is like a personal electronic tag!

  • cupcake on 24/03/2015 - 15:24

    I like the Flybuys card. You can get $10 off when you reach 2,000 points and it's not hard to do so when you link your AGL Electricity bill to it.

    The Woolies reward card is only good for 20% off selected products. You have to scan your card to get it off the shelf price. Also, the rewards are good if you do a big shop but like you, I don't spend more than $20 at a time really. I try not to.

    It's a pain just to activate offers each week in my email!

    • inherentchoice on 28/03/2015 - 14:20

      Lol so it's like having a loyalty punch-card which says "Buy 2,000 and get 10 free!"

  • Geewhizz on 26/03/2015 - 07:31

    I have the woolworths one attached to my frequent flyer account, and in probably 4 or 5 years it has given me about 10 000 points. I usually only use it if I've purchased items where having it will give me a discount. Bonus points seem to be few and far-between. Because they don't see me spending a lot, the required spend on the shop-for-three weeks offers is usually quite low, though it's creeping up.

    Flybuys has no minimum spend to start earning points and has frequent bonus points offers. I recently traded the points I'd gained in 12 months or thereabouts for $150 on the card, spendable at anywhere that has flybuys. I've done very little to get those points. The only thing I make a point of doing is buying our phone recharges there each month. I deliberately don't do the offers that require a rediculously high spend for very few points.

  • twister292 on 31/03/2015 - 00:28
    +1

    I use EDR only for the specials where you need to scan the card to get the special price.

    Flybuys, OTOH, I use every time, even for small items…the points aren't worth much, but Coles do plenty of bonus/double/triple point offers. At the moment I have $30 worth of shopping credits in my FB account, and that's from everyday groceries that I would have bought regardless of any loyalty offers…it took about 2 years to get there though.

  • tpanon on 31/03/2015 - 18:15

    I like Flybys card. Link it to credit card.

    Earn 2 points per dollar. Spend 2000 for 10 dollars. Works for me.

  • bikuta on 17/05/2015 - 23:37

    Has anyone worked out if it's better to get the 4c/L discount or earn 2 points / Litre?

    Assume I'm filling up a 50L tank with the pump price of $1.40

    With 4c/L discount, I would be saving $0.04 * 50 = $2

    When getting QFF points, I would be getting 50L * 2 points = 100 points (which converts to about $1)

    So it seems to me the 4c/L discount is much better, or have I missed something?

    • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2015 - 17:37

      If you're looking for quick instant savings the 4 cent discount is the best option.

      If you are creative with your use of QFF points and use them for upgrades and business class flights, it's better to take the points.

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