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Asda shoppers warned of little-known rule that could leave you out of pocket this Christmas – how to avoid it happening
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ASDA shoppers are being warned of a rule that could leave them out of pocket this Christmas.
One disgruntled customer took to social media to share how a little-known clause on its Rewards app can result in you paying more money than you intended.
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The app lets shoppers earn money by completing tasks such as spending in a certain department - which can then be converted into vouchers you can spend in-store.
Writing online, this customer explained how she had earned up to £60 in vouchers which she wanted to use for money off a shop worth £59.84.
However, she ended up paying the full price of the shop with her own money because of a rule which states that shoppers cannot use the vouchers on a shop which costs less than the voucher amount.
The shopper said: "I contacted Asda Rewards who told me that you cannot be under the Rewards amount, it must be over otherwise they will charge your card."
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She went on to say that this discovery had really thrown her off budget.
She added: "Asda won’t refund or use the Rewards when I contacted them so I’m stuck with having to work around it."
However, the £60 voucher was still in her account and available to use.
Other shoppers were quick to chime in and share their experiences.
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One wrote: "Yes the Boots points advantage card is the same, but I didn't know the Asda app was. Thank you for sharing, sorry this has happened to you."
Another added: "It’s the same in Sainsbury’s with using Nectar points."
Many other Asda shoppers said they were not aware of the rule, which is in the small print of Asda's terms and conditions for using the app.
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An Asda spokesperson told The Sun that "vouchers can only be used where the total balance of your shop, is equal to or more than the value of the voucher to be used (not including excluding items, and after any other discounts have been applied)".
"This is the Voucher Spend Threshold. If the transaction is lower than this, the full value of the voucher will remain on your Asda Rewards account, subject to voucher expiry."
So for example, if you had a voucher worth £20 you would be able to use it on an item worth exactly £20 or use the voucher to get money off an item worth more than that amount.
This is not a new rule and has been in place since the Asda rewards app launched three years ago.
ASDA'S WARNING TO SHOPPERS
It comes as Asda warned that shoppers have until December 31 to convert any savings in their Christmas Saver Cashpots into vouchers.
The Christmas Cashpot feature lets shoppers stash away any savings they have built up over the year and spend them around the festive period.
Savvy savers can add to their Cashpot throughout the year by buying certain products, carrying out tasks and hitting shopping targets.
Asda said around 750,000 shoppers have already turned their Christmas Cashpots into vouchers to an average value of £20.
To create a voucher, shoppers have to go to the wallet section of the Asda Rewards app and select "Create Voucher".
They then have to confirm the amount they'd like to spend from their Christmas Saver Cashpot.
HOW TO USE THE ASDA REWARDS APP
The scheme works by letting you earn cash rewards known as Asda Pounds when shopping in store and online.
You then have to scan the barcode on the app at the checkout.
If shopping online, just make sure you're logged into your account, and then browse as normal.
Usually you can buy certain "star products" which are a mix of branded and Asda own-brand items.
You can see a full list in the dedicated section of the Asda Rewards app, but they're also marked when you're shopping online at Asda.com.
You can also earn rewards by completing "missions", which are usually tasks like spending a certain amount to earn a voucher, or buying certain products to earn another.
There are new missions and events each week so there are plenty of ways for customers to maximise their rewards.
Just be mindful of how much you're spending - not every deal will be worth the money you spend to get it and remember to look around other shops to see what deals they have to compare.
To take part in the loyalty scheme, you'll need to download the Asda Rewards app which you can find on the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
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You'll need to have an account - if you don't, it's pretty easy to sign up.
You'll just need to pop in your name and a couple of other quick details.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
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