Point Cards for Shopping

(Jan. 8th, 2009. in the library)

• I have written in this blog before that the local supermarkets seem not to have any point cards, but I was wrong. I just didn't know at that time they DID have them. In those days, I was not even aware of the student Oyster card (the top in left). It's called the Oyster photo card. If you are going to take a course of 14 weeks or more in any language schools, universities and colleges, you can get on buses and undergrounds for the student price. All you can do is to apply for it online, but your educational institution has to be registered in Transport for London. Now I've got a 6 month bus pass, with which I can board on any buses in London. So now I'm making the most use of it.
• Tesco Clubcard is below the Oystercard. First of all, I got an application form in the store, and filled in it, and posted it. That's all. I didn't have to pay at all to apply for it. Although I have to walk a bit long to the nearest Tesco, but sometimes I go to that Tesco, and use this point card.
• The card I use most often is Nectar point card (the middle in right). I always use this card when I go to the nearest Sainsbury in the Paddington station. This is not only for the store, but any facilities affiliated with Nectar club or loyalty program. I don't know about this program in detail, but I do know that when I earn some points I can exchange them with some items. For further information, refer to http://www.nectar.com/NectarHome.nectar.
• Boots is a pharmacy basically. They also have a store card for any Boots stores. I've got it by applying for it online. It was quite easy. I didn't realized that they had it until I had a terrible cold in last December. I bought some medicines at that time, but I didn't have a card, so I think I wasted some points.
• My favorite hairdressing salon has also a card. But I don't think I can say this is a point card. Rather it would be better to be called a membership card. There is some information written on it, such as who was the stylist, when I came. When I go to the salon again within 4 weeks, they give me 20% discount. Now I can get a hair cut in quite comfortable atmosphere for a reasonable price, though I cannot practice speaking in English there.