How to pass on loyalty points in your will

When you’re planning how to manage your estate after you pass away, it’s unlikely that you’ll have even considered your loyalty points as valuable assets. After all, it’s estimated that as many as 93% of us are unaware that points can be passed on in our wills.

In fact, data from Topcashback, one of the country’s biggest loyalty points and cashback websites, has shown that in Britain we accrue more than £5.7bn through loyalty schemes annually. That works out at around £122 per person over an average of five schemes, so if you save points for Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Texaco Star Rewards, Boots Advantage and Avios, the points accumulated could really work out to be a valuable addition to your estate.

Not all providers, however, allow you to bequeath your points. In some cases points are stated in the terms and conditions to belong to the company and not the collector. So, in some cases it may be wiser to use your points rather than risk losing them upon your death.

Here are some of the providers who will allow you to pass on your points after you pass away:

Boots Advantage

Boots Advantage is one of the most popular loyalty points schemes in the country, and for good reason. Giving customers four points (worth 4p) for every pound spent, and regular double or triple points events, it’s one of the most generous loyalty schemes of its type.

Can you pass on your Boots Advantage card points?

To pass your points on to a beneficiary, simply contact Boots Advantage customer service: boots.customercare_team@boots.co.uk, or by calling 0345 124 4545.

Tesco Clubcard

Tesco Clubcard is the UK’s leading supermarket loyalty schemes. Awarding customers one point per £1 spent on shopping and £2 spent on fuel, they also award points for using their related banking and insurance services.

Can you pass on your Tesco Clubcard points?

Should you pass away, your points can be easily claimed by family members even if they haven’t notified Tesco in advance. All a potential beneficiary needs to do to avoid confusion is contact 0800 591 688 or 0330 123 1688, or email them through the Clubcard website with the card and personal details of members to hand.

Nectar

Whether you use your Nectar card for your supermarket shopping in Sainsbury’s, or you collect yours from one of 450 different retailers across the country, you’ll be collecting four points per £1, plus bonuses.

Can you pass on your Nectar card points?

Nectar have no restrictions on bequeathing your points to a family member or relative. Contact the Nectar customer services team on 0344 811 0811 to find out whether a death certificate will be needed – they operate on a case-by-case basis.

Avios

Collecting points for the flights, hotel stays and shopping you do online with Avios can reap great rewards through the British Airways Avios eStore. More and more customers are using the scheme for its generous points system and the benefits tied in with it.

Can you pass on your Avios points?

Although Avios state that passing on points after a death is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, the terms and conditions do state that Avios points are non-transferable.

Which loyalty schemes don’t allow points to be transferred?

You may be surprised to learn that two of the largest companies in the UK do not allow their loyalty points to be transferred in the event of a customer’s death.

IKEA Family and Marks & Spencer Sparks are both generous loyalty schemes, but unfortunately they do not allow the points gathered to be shared.

This means that unfortunately you cannot bequeath your points savings to a chosen individual at these stores – but the companies both say they are reviewing the terms and conditions.

One last thing – if you’d like to speak to our expert wills and probate solicitors about any issues regarding what you may and may not be able to leave behind, we’d be happy to speak to you. Just give us a call on 01282 433 241 to discuss your options.