Woolworths Rewards vs. flybuys: better value for money?

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Woolworths is revamping its rewards program (now called Woolworths Rewards) yet again, reintroducing the Qantas frequent flyer scheme it scrapped in October and making it easier for customers to earn rewards on everyday shopping.

Set to launch at the end of the month, the new Woolworths Rewards points scheme replaces the short-lived Woolworths dollars and promises "a guaranteed reward per dollar spent" system, where shoppers can earn points when visiting Woolworths supermarkets, BWS bottle shops and selected Caltex service stations.

Woolworths Rewards points can then be converted into supermarket discounts or Qantas frequent flyer points.

Shoppers opting for a reduction on their grocery bill can choose to either cash in a $10 discount each time they hit 2000 points or "bank" their savings to be redeemed on December 15, 2016, just in time for their Christmas shop.

Customers who were disappointed by Woolworths taking frequent flyer points off the menu late last year will be glad to know they can now once again opt in to have their rewards points converted to the Qantas program, although they may not be racking up points at the rate they're used to.

In fact, under the new program 2000 Woolworths points equals 870 Qantas points, meaning shoppers will be adding to their frequent flyer points at around half the rate earned under the defunct Everyday Rewards scheme.

The trade-off is that points will be easier to earn for regular shoppers. Among the notable changes making rewards points more accessible is that the $30 minimum spend threshold to earn points is gone. Shoppers will also now be able to earn points at Caltex fuel stations, and collect rewards points on the same transaction where they use fuel discount vouchers.

Also now a thing of the past are the confusing orange-ticket products that shoppers complained were few and far between. Instead, customers can now earn points on most of their shop and may even bag double points on some products such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and behind-the-counter deli and seafood.

Woolworths Rewards v Coles flybuys

In light of the changes, Mozo took a look at how the Woolworths Rewards scheme stands up against the other major supermarket program, Coles flybuys. Here's how they compare:

Woolworths Rewards Coles flybuys
$1 = 1 point $1 = 1 point
No minimum spend No minimum spend
2000 points = $10 shopping voucher 2000 points = $10 shopping voucher
0.43 Qantas points for $1 spent 0.4 Etihad Airways points for $1 spent
2000 points = 870 Qantas points 10,000 points = 4000 Etihad Airways points
Redemption options include:
 
  • Free or discounted Qantas flights (for those opting for frequent flyer points).
  • Shopping discounts at Woolworths supermarkets and its partners, including BWS, Dan Murphy's, Masters Home Improvement, Thomas Dux, participating Caltex service stations.
Redemption options include:
 
  • Free or discounted flights with a range of airlines through flybuys travel.
  • A range of retail, entertainment and travel products from the online flybuys rewards shop.
  • Shopping discounts at Coles supermarkets and partners including Kmart, Kmart Tyre and Auto Service, Target, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor and Coles Express.

Source: Mozo.com.au, information correct as of 23/08/16

Woolworths' new program brings it more or less in line with Coles in terms of earning power, although the Coles flybuys program arguably maintains the upper hand, thanks to a wider range of partners for shoppers to earn and redeem points.

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