Money
Getting the best deal
Choosing the best reward schemes
Millions of pounds are spent in the run up to Christmas on presents for our loved ones. By taking advantage of reward schemes you can treat yourselves with a weekend away or a box of wine - for free, writes Holly Thomas
The top names include Nectar and Airmiles. They both allow you to collect points at certain retailers. Online shoppers will reap the greatest rewards because both schemes allow members to collect points with far more retailers using the web.
By clicking through from either www.nectar.com or www.airmiles.co.uk to other retailers, that range from Harrods and Hamleys to PC World and Argos, you can earn points on purchases.
Once you have accumulated enough they can be exchanged for anything from flights and hotel breaks to spa days, trips out or cases of wine.
There are links to so many high street names, where you're likely to be shopping anyway, so it's easy to collect the points along the way.
In the run up to Christmas many retailers offer double and triple points through both schemes so it's worth checking before you buy.
In the run up to Christmas last year, more than £7 billion was spent online to avoid the chaos of the high street.
Nectar recently launched a new promotion that offers heavy discounts off eight "star treats" each month.
If you have been saving points during the year, you can pick up a bargain gift using this offer. For example, in November there is 50 per cent off a Nikon digital camera or a Sony DVD player.
Reward schemes are popular but you're better off signing up to just one - spreading your spending across several means you probably won't have enough on any one to redeem for anything decent.
Cashback websites that pay you to shop are growing in popularity. Each club requires you to register to set up an account into which your cash is paid. Some charge membership fees, while others pay you to join.
Once logged on, you click on the links to retailers including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Tesco, and start shopping. Each offers a different cashback percentage for assorted items. Bigger brands tend to offer less, but there is still plenty of money to be made.
But remember, it is important not to get carried away by buying things you don't really need just for the sake of getting cash back on what you buy.
And always check that you're getting a good price. If you're being overcharged then you might want to forgo the cash back and buy the item direct from a cheaper source.
Before signing up, always read all the terms and conditions - paying full attention to rules surrounding how easy it is to get your hands on the cash.
* Holly Thomas is the deputy consumer finance editor of the Daily Express and Sunday Express. Her opinions are personal and for general information only. Always seek independent financial advice.
