Earning reward points in Malta supermarkets

When compared to many other countries, reward point earning in Malta supermarkets is generally disappointing. In the UK’s Tesco supermarkets, for example, you can expect a guaranteed 1p in value per £1 spent, plus a plethora of bonus point offers. You also get an up to 4 times value uplift if you convert them to partner offers (including BA frequent flyer (Avios) points).

However, we set out in full below the points (and benefits of the points) that you can earn in the major Malta supermarkets. Obviously, where you shop should not be driven purely by points earned, and value for money should take precedence, but we hope this is a useful summary of the points/benefits you can earn at the shops you do visit, and whether these schemes are worth your while.

As you can see, we have also indicated whether supermarket points can be converted to any form of airline miles, which are of course the heartbeat of this website.

Note that if you pay with a KMiles earning credit card, you will always earn extra points in supermarkets (and effectively “double dip” on KMiles in Tower).

Finally, it is worth mentioning that Lidl has no loyalty card scheme. This should not, however, put you off shopping at Lidl – which on certain items offers standout value in Malta.

Arkadia

Points earning rate: 1 point per €5 spent

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend): None

In-store points value: €15 voucher per 100 points (so equivalent to 15c a point or, more accurately (given that you only earn a point when you spend €5, not €1), 3c per €1 spent).

OR

€30 voucher per 150 points (so equivalent to 20c a point or, more accurately (given that you only earn a point when you spend €5, not €1), 4c per €1 spent).

Airline/hotel points conversion option:

Additional redemption partners: Arkadia fashion and home outlets, where you get the €30 voucher per 150 points (so equivalent to 4c value per point)

Conclusion

We like the Arkadia reward point system. It may not have a particularly wide redemption range, but it is straightforward and fair value. The key point is to never redeem your points in units of 100, but always wait until you have 150. At 4c a point, reward points are very much recommended for regular shoppers at the supermarket.

Pavi

Points earning rate: 1 point per €1 spent

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend): None, but bonuses are sometimes available on certain products

In- store points value: €5 voucher per 680 (so equivalent to 0.74c each)

Airline/hotel points conversion option: None

Additional redemption partners:  “certain Outlets in the PAVI Shopping Complex”.

Conclusion

At 0.74c value, and with the possibility of earning bonus points on in-store purchases, the Pavi reward card offers pretty good value by Maltese supermarket standards. Its major limitation is the lack of many redemption partners.

Scotts

Points earning rate: 1 point per €1 spent

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend): None

In-store points value: €5 voucher per 2000 (so equivalent to 0.25c each)

Airline/hotel points conversion option: None

Additional redemption partners: Debenhams, McDonalds, DataSolv, HomeTrends, Exotique, SMS Insurance/Travel

Conclusion

At a paltry 0.25c value each (i.e. 4 points = €0.01), the Scotts reward card is particularly poor value, and frankly is barely worth the effort of getting your wallet out.  It’s also worth mentioning that Scotts charge an extortionate 25c for a plastic bag, so the points earned on a €100 shop would be entirely wiped out if you require just one plastic bag (MaltaPoints is not against the idea of supermarkets charging for plastic bags where any money made goes to environmental charities: we understand this is not the case with Scotts).

Tower (+ Carrefour franchise supermarkets)

Points earning rate: 1 point per €1 spent

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend): Every €1 spent on GS products gets 2 points. 700 point bonus for every €100 spent.

In-store points value: Not applicable – points cannot be used to pay for in-store items. However, 3000 points gets a €10 fuel voucher, so a reasonable valuation of these points is 0.33c. This also tallies with my approximate valuation of KMiles at 0.6c (2 GS points = 1 Kmile)

Airline/hotel points conversion option:  GS loyalty points can be exchanged for Air Malta KMiles, at a rate of 1 KMiles for every two GS loyalty points. Please note that GS point conversion to KMiles must be done through GS customer care, not Flypass. You can convert by calling them on 21345586. You will need your loyalty point card number (on the back, next to the barcode), and your Flypass membership number

Additional redemption partners:  Per reward catalogue: http://towersupermarket.com/pdfs/tower-loyalty-club.pdf

Conclusion:

The fact that you cannot use GS points directly for in-store purchases is a little odd, but the 700 bonus points on a €100 shop (approximate value €2.40, including the additional 100 points earned) makes it a decent points haul, given that you can convert them to KMiles (or fuel).

Nevertheless, if you shop at Tower cleverly (i.e. making sure you get the bonus points, and using a KMiles earning credit card), and exchange the points for KMiles, then it is one of the better value reward point schemes in Malta.

Note that you do not earn points if you shop with Carrefour’s Maltasupermarket.com online shopping service, although code MSVC02855 will get you €5 off a €50+ shop.

Miracle Foods

Points earning rate: 1 point per €1 spent

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend):

In-store points value: Your first 1000 points in a 12 month period (from the date of first purchase) equate to a €50 voucher (so equivalent to 5c per point). You then get 5% off all future purchases in that 12 month period (which effectively maintains the 5c per point value: for every €1 you spend, you get 5c off).

Airline/hotel points conversion option: None

Additional redemption partners: None

Conclusion

At 5c a point (whether via the voucher or 5% discount), MF Privilege Card points are standout value. It requires quite a spend to qualify, and MF may not be to everyone’s taste as a supermarket. However, if you are a regular shopper at Miracle Foods, this reward scheme is well worth registering for.

Greens

Points earning rate: 3 points per €2.33 spent, provided that you spend over €12. Once you have banked 7000 points you will stop earning further points, until you redeem some.

Points bonuses (inc. for high spend): None

In-store points value: Points cannot be redeemed in store (see additional redemption partners below. You get a €30/€35 voucher per 1000 points, depending on the outlet you choose the voucher for (so equivalent to 3c each)

Airline/hotel points conversion option: None

Additional redemption partners: Atrium, Eurosport, Home Trends – Home and Garden, Home Trends – Kids, Tescoma, Top Line – Gifts & More, Ultimate

Conclusion

While a slightly over-complicated reward scheme, the 3c value of the Greens reward points (and the fact you get 3 per €2.33 spent: so more than one per €1) is good. That said they are not redeemable in store and the redemption options are not particularly attractive.

Please note that this subject now has its own dedicated page on Maltapoints.com