Best South African Loyalty Programs 2022
The 2021 Truth and BrandMapp South African Whitepaper indicated that South African shoppers are taking advantage of Loyalty programs more than ever before – Why wouldn’t you? They also found:
74% of economically active South Africans are using loyalty programs
More women than men use loyalty programs, however, men are actively using loyalty programs more
People over the age of 25 are more likely to take advantage of a loyalty program
The average South African belongs to 9 loyalty programs
BrandMapp also mentions that it is significant to note the arrival of The Shoprite Group onto the loyalty scene
Let’s face it, everyone loves a good deal. I know I certainly do. My Ouma used to sit for hours cutting coupons from magazines and newspapers. Come shopping day, my mom would whip out those coupons like a magic wand, and hand them over to the teller to complete the magic trick and recalculate the total.
Now in 2026, we have Loyalty programs. These programs allow you, the customer, to take advantage of savings when shopping with specific retailers.
Apart from the savings and cash-back benefits, it also allows anyone to sign-up and receive rewards. Yes, you cannot have credit when you are under Debt Review, but you can certainly save money or take advantage of discounts with the many loyalty programs available to you!
Top 10 Most Used Retail Loyalty Programs In South Africa - 2019 Versus 2021
With the cost of living going up at an astronomical rate we decided to give you our top picks for loyal programs out there for South Africans to take advantage of.
For this exercise, we are focusing on direct loyalty programs only.
BDC Top Picks - Loyalty Programs
To make life easier we will divide our favourite Loyalty programs into industries or sectors:
Petrol
Groceries
Health and Beauty
Banking
Fashion
DIY
Entertainment
Drumroll, please…
Petrol
You bet ya we are starting here! The price of petrol affects all our lives, whether you have a vehicle or not.
Our Top Pick
Shell V+ Rewards card
Why?
It is uncomplicated and you know exactly what you are going to get. There are no joining, card or membership fees and you can spend your CASH rewards on anything in-store or at the pump.
You earn 15c per litre of fuel you put in your tank and 0.5% on selected products in-store.
Any Negative Feedback?
Not really but if we have to nit-pick it would be the fact that you only earn 0.5% back on SELECTED products in-store.
To be fair – We are focussing on the petrol here and the in-store benefits are a bonus.
Groceries
Here we have decided on 2 Top Picks:
Our Top Pick 1
Makro mCard
Why?
Uncomplicated and you get CASH Back Baby!
You earn cash back on selected deals that can be used at Makro OR sent to a loved one to use. You are also able to donate your cash back rewards to a Makro-approved charity. The reason this is on this list is because of the fact that you can send your accumulated cash back to family or donate to a charity.
Any Negative Feedback?
Rewards are only awarded when you purchase qualifying products and not all products.
Our Top Pick 2
OK Count On Card
Why?
Uncomplicated and you get CASH Back Baby – the sequel!
As you spend money at OK you earn points which are immediately converted to a monetary value. Get to the till swipe your OK Count On card and you will see your current balance on the screen. You can use your CASH back reward at any participating store at any time.
There is more. If you pay cash, you can add your change to the total of your rewards card. Another benefit, you are also automatically entered into competitions if you have qualified according to the rules set out.
Any Negative Feedback?
Not all stores participate BUT if you live near one that does (lucky me – I do) then this is a HIT!
Health and Beauty
Yes, we may like a bargain but when it comes to health and beauty we also all have some sort of vice. Damn… I know I do! So, let’s have a look at our top pick in this category.
Our Top Pick
Dis-Chem Benefits program
Why?
You earn 1.5% of your purchase back in benefit rewards on qualifying purchases every time you use your card in-store or online. You are then able to use your Benefit points against your purchase when you want to. A percentage of your eligible purchases will also be donated to the Dis-Chem Foundation which will assist worthy causes.
This was a tough one to choose because Clicks Club Card awards you 2% of your purchases but ultimately we went with Dis-Chem because, with Clicks Club Card, you have to spend a minimum of R250 over 2 months before your reward is loaded.
Another bonus with the Dis-Chem Benefits card would be that you are automatically entered into competitions once you have qualified.
Any Negative Feedback?
Rewards are only earned when you purchase qualifying products.
Banking
This is a big one unless you sleep with your money hidden under your mattress or in your couch – cough – which we DO NOT recommend.
Our Top Pick
Capitec Live Better
Why?
Mostly, CASH back baby, as well as discounts with participating partners (Bolt, Baby City, Dis-Chem, Educate24, GetSmarter Shell, UCT Online High School and Exclusive Books). This is the least complicated loyalty program in the banking sector.
Every time you click, tap, swipe or scan to pay with your Capitec debit or credit card you earn cash back by simply activating your Save Better Tools.
Your Live Better account earns you higher interest and you can transfer the cash to your main account as you need it.
Any Negative Feedback?
Being the banking sector, even the least complicated loyalty program requires you to read up on where you can save money. However, Capitec’s Live Better program offers you the opportunity to learn as you go.
Fashion
Whether you are a slave to it is up to you, but we cannot escape fashion…
Our Top Pick
my TFG rewards card
Why?
Mostly, because you have over 20 retail brands that fall under the TFG banner where you can swipe your card to earn rewards and or save instantly when you shop Members Only offers. You also get personalised vouchers that will be sent to you by email or SMS and you are automatically entered into exclusive competitions.
Any Negative Feedback?
No cash-back rewards, but really, when you have over 20 brands to earn rewards from with your one loyalty card, it is not all that bad.
DIY
Yes, DIY! Personally, I love nothing more than tinkering around the house… the bigger the tool, the more powerful I feel. My husband might not agree, but hey, we are all allowed our thing.
Our Top Pick
Mica Dream Card
Why?
You are able to earn up to 2.5% cash back when you swipe your Dream Card at participating Mica stores. When you are ready, you can use your accumulated cash against a purchase.
You are also kept up to date on your Dream Card total by SMS, product promotions or special offers before non-members.
Any Negative Feedback?
Not all stores participate
Entertainment
Everyone needs some downtime… Whether you like eating out, watching a movie or reading a book… we got you Boo!
Eating Out
Everyone needs some downtime… Whether you like eating out, watching a movie or reading a book… we got you Boo!
Our Top Pick
SPUR Family Card
Why?
We all know it, especially if you have little ones. Spur caters for families and it is one of the reasons that people keep going back time and again.
Once you have spent R1000 (excluding VAT and tips) it is automatically converted to a R50 Spur meal voucher. You will also receive exclusive promotions.
Any Negative Feedback?
Not really. It is uncomplicated and we love anything that is uncomplicated.
Movies
Our Top Pick
Ster-Kinekor Club OR SK Club
Why?
Offers members 50% off any movie on a Tuesday (excludes D-Box seats), free 2D/3D ticket on your birthday (valid for 7 days) and you get 200 points free when you join (valid at the time of writing this article). You also get to enjoy Access Rewards which gets you invited to pre-screenings and events. As you earn points it translates to Ster-Kinekor offerings such as
400 points – Free regular popcorn
800 points – Free regular combo
1000 points – Free movie ticket
1500 points – Free Cine Prestige movie ticket
Earn points by:
100 Points per movie booked
100 Points per regular commbo
200 Points per “Must See” movie booked
200 Points per Cine Prestige ticket bought
200 Points per Double Take (sharing) combo
200 Points per DBox Ticket bought
Double points each Thursday for each movie booked
Any Negative Feedback?
Personally, I am not a fan of being awarded SPECIFIC items in lieu of points – or points for that matter. I would rather like to spend the points I earned on what I choose to spend it on within Ster-Kinekor. Options baby!
For The Bookworms
Our Top Pick
FANATICS by Exclusive Books
Why?
As a member, you earn rewards back on all purchases (except gift cards and plastic bags). For every R1 spent you get 1 point and as an example, 400 points earn you a R20 Reward Coupon.
Any Negative Feedback?
Discount on books? Give me! Give me! Give me! So… that would be a no to negative feedback.
Conclusion
Yes, there are numerous loyalty programs out there for you to choose from and when you have reward memberships that link with others, you are able to earn even more rewards. However, it all gets a little confusing and overwhelming. This is the reason that we chose the loyalty programs we did. They are easy to understand and directly reward you for your loyalty.
Now, all you have to worry about is having a big enough wallet to keep all your cards in.
Links to loyalty programs mention:
All information correct at time of posting. Links provided to allow for further information.
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