Nectar ditches 'best' offer from loyalty scheme and shoppers are not happy.

According to The Sun: The company NECTAR has canceled one of the most attractive offers in its loyalty program, causing outrage among consumers.

Owners of Sainsbury's loyalty cards can no longer exchange their points for free drinks at Caffè Nero.

Previously, customers who accumulated 400 Nectar card points could receive a free drink from any section of the café's menu. This could save up to £5.50, for example, on a frappe.

Customers using points at the café could download a QR code in the Nectar app, which was then scanned on-site to receive a free drink.

“From August 19, 2025, you will no longer be able to redeem your points at Caffè Nero. If you exchanged your points for a Caffè Nero voucher before August 18, 2025, the voucher will be valid until its expiration date.”

This means that if you have a voucher in the Nectar app, you can use it until August 18, 2026.

The Head for Points website described this program as the best option for using Nectar points.

They noted: “Given that most drinks now cost over £3.50, you will definitely get more than the usual 0.5p per point.”

One shopper described the news as “sad,” adding that this café was one of his favorite places to use his points.

An unhappy customer stated, “This is the only thing I spend Nectar points on.”

Now, with Caffè Nero no longer partnering with Nectar, shoppers cannot use their points on coffee anywhere.

“Instead, the best way to use your points is to spend them on other Nectar partners like Argos, British Airways, Eurostar, etc.,” said Dan Evans, senior content specialist for deals.

“Check out promotions that can double the value of your points, as well as opportunities to earn free points to enhance your spending capacity through this program.”

How do Nectar card points work?

Sainsbury's shoppers who register in the loyalty program earn points during in-store purchases.

Points can be redeemed for discount vouchers or free gifts.

One Nectar point is worth 0.5p, 100 points are worth 50p, and 200 points are worth £1.

Additionally, you do not have to spend money on products to earn points. For example, shoppers earn one Nectar point for every liter of fuel, and 2 points for every £1 spent in Esso stores.

Shoppers can also use Nectar points to get a 5p discount on every liter of fuel if they redeem 300 points.

Nectar points do not expire, but if you do not earn or redeem them within a year, your account will be closed.

Sainsbury's customers can find this feature in the Nectar Card app, available for download in Google Play or Apple Store.

Your points will be displayed on the virtual Nectar card as soon as you log into the app.

Now shoppers can block spending Nectar points in the app until they are ready to spend them.

This can be done by downloading the app, then going to settings and clicking on the 'Block or Unblock Spending' section.

There will be an option to select which choice suits you.

The cancellation of the ability to exchange Nectar points for drinks at Caffè Nero has been a noticeable blow to many consumers who were used to benefiting from this attractive offer. While the company offers other options for using points, such as shopping at partner stores, free drinks remained an appealing bonus. Following the introduction of new rules, consumers are trying to find alternatives to maximize their loyalty status.