Review of WRewards and Woolworths App

Through the Woolworths app, which links to your Woolworths WRewards card, you can access an array of information on your shopping habits. But be warned - seeing how much money you have spent can be quite depressing.

According to my shopping history on the app, from 29 June 2015 to 29 May 2016, I spent a total of R25,870.24 at Woolworths, and saved R882.90 with WRewards. I was quite shocked at the amount that my family and I spent over this 11-month period, and disappointed at the rewards accrued.

If you’re interested in finding out your spending habits at Woolworths, you can do so by clicking on the “WRewards Saving” button. The app provides a breakdown of your monthly spending habits and the value of your savings. You can also connect your Woolworths store card to the app.

Getting started on the Woolworths app

The app is available on Apple and Android phones. You simply have to go to your phone’s app store and search for Woolworths. Once the app is downloaded, you enter your card number and ID number to link to your account.

Once your WRewards card is linked, you can access exclusive WRewards vouchers, and track your spending. The app also informs you which tier status you are currently on, and how much you need to spend to move up to the next tier.

Conveniently, you will be notified in the app if you have any active vouchers. By clicking on the “Active Vouchers” tab, you can see which vouchers are available to you. By clicking on a specific voucher, you open a page with a barcode, which is then scanned at the till when you are paying for your items.

While I welcome any way to save money, I have to add that the vouchers I’ve received so far were for products that I’ve never purchased at Woolworths. This seems strange when you consider that Woolworths has the ability to track and see what my family and I spend our money on through the WRewards card.

Tip: Have you indulged in a little too much shopping recently? Click here to consolidate your debt.

EarthCred

In addition to earning WRewards savings, you also earn EarthCred, which helps you move up the tier structure faster.

With regards to EarthCred, the Woolworths website says, “We're committed to helping you tread lightly on the planet. Enjoy 10% savings on a wide range of 'green' products and earn extra value to accelerate your move to a higher status level every time you buy these specially marked products.”

WRewards

The WRewards programme rewards customers with discounts on selected items. The Woolworths website explains, “WRewards is our way of rewarding customers instantly. WRewards members save millions every week.”

The rewards programme gives you access to:

• Instant savings of up to 20% on thousands of items throughout the store, from food to clothing and homeware to beauty, and more.
• Tiered benefits. The more you spend at Woolworths’ stores, the quicker you move up the three tiers, and the more benefits you earn.
• By paying with a Woolworths store card or credit card you earn an additional 5% saving on WRewards offers.

The three tiers for the WRewards programme are as follows:

If you sign up for the Woolworths newsletter as a WRewards member, you also get weekly emails highlighting the items in-store that you can get at a special price as a WRewards member.

Are the rewards worth it?

I am currently at Loyal status, and the app informs me that I need to spend R1,129.75 more to move to VIP status.

Looking at the amount of money that was spent over the previous year, and the value of the instant savings I received as a WRewards member, I have to say that it appears that the savings you get are not worth it in comparison to how much is spent.

Perhaps if you are a more frugal shopper and only shop the items that offer WRewards savings, and use the vouchers that you receive, your saving might be greater. However, most people would not go to Woolworths to shop like this.

Customers tend to pick a store because they like the quality of the service and/or products, the convenience or the cost of the items. It will be up to individual shoppers to determine if the WRewards offered to them is actually beneficial.

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