Shoppers baffle over supermarket's new checkout message—save $10 on your next visit!
- Replies 1
Navigating the ever-changing landscape of supermarket loyalty programs can sometimes feel like a maze, with new twists and turns popping up when you least expect them.
Coles, one of Australia's leading supermarkets, recently introduced a change to its checkout process that has left some shoppers scratching their heads.
The new Coles checkout prompt offers shoppers the chance to instantly redeem a $10 discount once they've accumulated 2,000 Flybuys points.
This is a shift from the previous system, where points had to be converted to Flybuys dollars through the app and accessed using a PIN.
One shopper expressed her uncertainty online, saying, 'I was talking yesterday to the checkout lady at Coles. She said, "You have $10 off. Do you want to use it?"'
'I replied with "No, thank you." She said most people don’t realise that if you use the $10 off, you won’t get any Flybuys points.'
A Coles spokesperson clarified that shoppers will earn points based on the value of their shop after the $10 discount and any other discounts or savings are applied.
‘When customers opt-in to take $10 off their shop, they will still collect points on the value of their shop, but after the $10 off, and any other discounts and savings are applied,’ the Cole spokesperson explained.
For instance, if your total bill is $100 and you opt to use 2,000 points for a $10 discount, you'll receive points on the remaining $90, provided no bonus point offers are in play.
The instant $10 off can be used at Coles supermarkets and selected Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores, but it's unavailable across all Flybuys partners.
Angus Kidman, a Flybuys expert from Finder, acknowledged that changes to big loyalty programs like Coles' often come with initial hiccups.
However, he believes the new system will likely align more closely with shoppers' preferences in the long run.
'They are now very much throwing that question in your face ... I get that for some people, that’s annoying. Conversely, there are people who say, “Yep, thanks, I’ll take the $10”,' Kidman explained.
‘From a Flybuys perspective, they’ve done their consumer research and discovered that most people probably want to spend it this way.’
For those who prefer to save their points for a rainy day, the Flybuys $10 discount prompt can be turned off in the settings and partner preferences section of your online Flybuys account or app.
This way, you can continue accumulating points without being prompted to redeem them at checkout.
Kidman suggested that the most lucrative option might not be the $10 discount at all.
‘The best way to use your Flybuys points is not to use the $10 off at all,’ he said.
‘Your best bet is converting them into Velocity Frequent Flyer Points. If you do that, typically, you can get more value than you’ll get from the standard $10 off,’
By enabling the auto-transfer option and linking your accounts, 1,000 Flybuys points will automatically convert to 500 Velocity Points.
This could offer more value than the standard $10 off.
It's worth noting that Coles and Woolworths offer loyalty programs, while ALDI, the underdog favourite, does not.
Kidman points out, 'The vast majority of people who use Flybuys or Everyday Rewards join it because it’s free and we’ve all got to buy food, so if you are going to one of those two supermarkets, well then you may as well get something out of it.'
In related news, Coles offered 2,000 bonus Flybuys points for purchasing a $100 or $250 Coles Mastercard Gift Card until 23 February, 2024.
The gift cards have a service fee of $5 for the $100 card and $7 for the $250 card, which affects the promotion's net benefit. Read more about it here.
Have you used the new Coles checkout prompt? What's your strategy for getting the best value out of your Flybuys points? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Coles, one of Australia's leading supermarkets, recently introduced a change to its checkout process that has left some shoppers scratching their heads.
The new Coles checkout prompt offers shoppers the chance to instantly redeem a $10 discount once they've accumulated 2,000 Flybuys points.
This is a shift from the previous system, where points had to be converted to Flybuys dollars through the app and accessed using a PIN.
One shopper expressed her uncertainty online, saying, 'I was talking yesterday to the checkout lady at Coles. She said, "You have $10 off. Do you want to use it?"'
Coles offered a $10 discount for every 2,000 points collected without needing app conversion. Credit: Shutterstock
'I replied with "No, thank you." She said most people don’t realise that if you use the $10 off, you won’t get any Flybuys points.'
A Coles spokesperson clarified that shoppers will earn points based on the value of their shop after the $10 discount and any other discounts or savings are applied.
‘When customers opt-in to take $10 off their shop, they will still collect points on the value of their shop, but after the $10 off, and any other discounts and savings are applied,’ the Cole spokesperson explained.
For instance, if your total bill is $100 and you opt to use 2,000 points for a $10 discount, you'll receive points on the remaining $90, provided no bonus point offers are in play.
The instant $10 off can be used at Coles supermarkets and selected Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores, but it's unavailable across all Flybuys partners.
Angus Kidman, a Flybuys expert from Finder, acknowledged that changes to big loyalty programs like Coles' often come with initial hiccups.
However, he believes the new system will likely align more closely with shoppers' preferences in the long run.
'They are now very much throwing that question in your face ... I get that for some people, that’s annoying. Conversely, there are people who say, “Yep, thanks, I’ll take the $10”,' Kidman explained.
‘From a Flybuys perspective, they’ve done their consumer research and discovered that most people probably want to spend it this way.’
For those who prefer to save their points for a rainy day, the Flybuys $10 discount prompt can be turned off in the settings and partner preferences section of your online Flybuys account or app.
This way, you can continue accumulating points without being prompted to redeem them at checkout.
Kidman suggested that the most lucrative option might not be the $10 discount at all.
‘The best way to use your Flybuys points is not to use the $10 off at all,’ he said.
‘Your best bet is converting them into Velocity Frequent Flyer Points. If you do that, typically, you can get more value than you’ll get from the standard $10 off,’
By enabling the auto-transfer option and linking your accounts, 1,000 Flybuys points will automatically convert to 500 Velocity Points.
This could offer more value than the standard $10 off.
It's worth noting that Coles and Woolworths offer loyalty programs, while ALDI, the underdog favourite, does not.
Kidman points out, 'The vast majority of people who use Flybuys or Everyday Rewards join it because it’s free and we’ve all got to buy food, so if you are going to one of those two supermarkets, well then you may as well get something out of it.'
In related news, Coles offered 2,000 bonus Flybuys points for purchasing a $100 or $250 Coles Mastercard Gift Card until 23 February, 2024.
The gift cards have a service fee of $5 for the $100 card and $7 for the $250 card, which affects the promotion's net benefit. Read more about it here.
