The Sainsbury’s card is probably the most recognizable store cards around. The purple-with-white-trimmed cards were first issued in 1919, and over a century later, they continue to be a popular way for customers to spend their points and keep track of their favorite stores.
The convenience of the card for shoppers and the recognition of the brand make it an ideal way to encourage customers to visit your store. However, despite its popularity, the Sainsbury’s card isn’t the only store card around. To truly understand the scope of available store credit cards, you have to look beyond Sainsbury’s.
The Varieties Of Store Credit Cards
We won’t go into great detail about the different kinds of store credit cards available today because there’s a lot of information out there. But let’s take a quick look at how the different types of store credit cards work.
The Basics Of All Store Credit Cards:
- The customer buys an item that’s worth equal to or greater than the amount of points needed to make a purchase
- The customer can only use the card at stores that accept it
- The customer can use the card to make purchases at either stores that accept it or Visa
- The customer can earn bonus points on select merchandise when they use their card
- The customer can view their accumulated points and rewards online at any time
- The customer can’t use this type of card if they live in a community that has a paypal-like system
Visa Checkout Rewards Card
If you’re looking for a simple way to boost sales and grow your business, consider the Visa Checkout Rewards Card. Similar to the Sainsbury’s card, the Visa Checkout Rewards Card is another example of a loyalty program that offers customers a discount on their next purchase.
In addition to rewarding customers for their continued business, the store can also reward them for shopping at their store. With the Visa Checkout Rewards Card, the customer receives 1% back on their purchase in the form of an instant discount.
These types of cards are a popular choice among small businesses because they’re simple to set up and use. The customers don’t have to do anything other than make a purchase to qualify for the discount. Essentially, the merchant sets up an account with the credit card company and enters their credit card number. From there, the credit card company assumes the role of intermediary. The merchant doesn’t have to worry about processing payments or ensuring that the customers actually use the card because the credit card company takes care of all of that for them.
Diners Club Card
If you run a restaurant or bar and you want to reward your most loyal customers, consider the Diners Club Card. A Diner’s Club Card is an ideal solution because it doesn’t require a separate registration process, and therefore, you can enjoy the benefits of the program right away.
You can give the Diners Club Card to your customers as a bonus for ordering a specialty cocktail or a beer, or you can give it out as a free gift with their order. In either case, the goal is the same — to encourage them to come back for more.
You can find DINERS CLUB Card at most major retailers, such as Best Buy or Macy’s. Just make sure you display the symbol DD on your checkout screen when you process the transaction.
One important thing to note about the DINERS CLUB Card is that it doesn’t expire. This means that the customer will be able to use it as long as they want and there’s no need to worry about whether or not they’ll still be able to use it when the next statement is processed. Just make sure you notify the credit card company when the statement is due so they don’t charge you for an expired card. This could result in you getting penalized by having an expired credit card.
Amex Offers
If you’re looking for more options, consider the Amex Offers. This type of card offers customers a variety of rewards, and like the others, you can find it at most retailers. But beyond the standard 1% reward offered by most store credit cards, the Amex Offers also give you the option of either giving the customer a discount or allowing them to make an purchase for free.
This is a very popular option with small businesses because it allows them to offer special deals to their most valued customers. The customer is likely to be familiar with the brand and are therefore more inclined to accept the offer. This could result in a lot of business, particularly if you partner with a cell phone carrier to offer special phone deals.
MasterCard Instant Rebate
If you sell car parts and you want to reward your most valuable customers, consider the MasterCard Instant Rebate. This is a store credit card that gives you the ability to offer your customers discounts or savings when they make a purchase. You can take advantage of this by setting up an account with MasterCard and immediately matching the discount or savings to their credit card.
This type of card rewards your customer for their loyalty, but it also saves you money because they’re likely to make multiple purchases at your store. It’s a win-win situation.
What’s great about the MasterCard Instant Rebate is that it doesn’t require the customer to do anything special in order to qualify for the discount or savings. All they have to do is make a purchase, and you’ll automatically apply the discount or savings to their credit card. This makes it a very simple and easy way to offer special savings to your most valued customers. It’s another example of how this sort of program can help your business grow.
P.S. As Always, Talk To Your Credit Card Company First
No matter which type of store credit card you choose, make sure you consult with your credit card company before you make any purchases with the card. It’s important to note that some credit card companies actually have a policy of denying account approval if you use a store credit card at a retail store. So, make sure you’re aware of any limitations before you make a purchase.