Martin Grosz
08/01/2021 11:06 PM
Clarín.com
Services
Updated 08/01/2021 11:06 PM
In times of tight pockets and 50% year-on-year inflation, there is a saving method that could be used
on a daily basis
to make the most of each peso spent, but that is
not always used
.
They are the
points
and
miles
plans
.
These are programs that important companies have developed in recent years with the main objective of building
customer
loyalty
, rewarding frequent consumption with
specific rewards
.
These promotional schemes allow the buyer to
collect credits
each time they make a purchase and then
exchange
the accumulated points for
discounts
on subsequent consumptions or for
prizes
from a catalog.
The airline and bank point programs, which sometimes work together, are perhaps the best known.
But there are also in
many other areas
of everyday consumption.
And in fact, there are more and more.
Today it is thus possible to collect points to save each time a payment is made at the supermarket, at the
service station
or at a bookstore;
every time you go out
to the movies
or to
a bar
;
or when paying monthly bills for some services.
When using the points programs, part of the amount paid is recovered in the following consumptions.
Photo: Archive.
Of course, to be able to access the benefits, it
is
often necessary to
register
: ask to register in the program.
And then it will also be crucial to organize yourself so as
not to let
the credits
expire
, which usually have a deadline to be exchanged.
Which are the companies that today allow to save in this way?
Below,
item by item
, some key programs to sign up and start taking advantage of on a daily basis.
Save with points when loading gasoline
Those who usually fill up the tank at YPF and Shell gas stations today lose out on saving a lot of money if they do not subscribe to the point plans of these brands, which allow them to get
discounts on gasoline
and other benefits.
For example, in the
YPF
Serviclub
program
, after a client
joins
(from here or the app), each of their payments begins to
add points
redeemable for
rebates
of $ 100, $ 250, $ 500, $ 750 or
up to $ 1,000 per charge
.
In addition, this is cumulative with
exclusive
10% discounts
for members.
Serviclub credits can also be
converted into
Aerolineas Plus
miles
, into
vouchers of $ 650
to use in Orders Now or the Super
Day%
, in household appliances and other rewards.
Of course: after
six months
without consumption, the points are lost.
At YPF, points can be exchanged for discounts of up to $ 1,000 in the value of the loads.
Photo: Germán García Adrasti.
The
Shell Latam Pass program
, meanwhile, was renewed after the cessation of operations of Latam Argentina, and tempts with renewed benefits.
Those who register (from here)
add miles
with each consumption that can be used to deduct $ 100, $ 250 or
$ 500
from the price of each load.
Miles can also be redeemed for
tickets from Latam
and partner airlines or for products from a catalog.
Members also have access to exclusive benefits and
discounts
on more than
50 brands
.
Save with points at the supermarket
All large supermarket chains have loyalty programs in which it is
convenient to register
, since they allow access to
exclusive
promotions and
offers
.
But only a few bet on a
scoring system
.
The most prominent case is Jumbo +, the program by which
Jumbo
and
Disco customers
add points (7 for every $ 100 spent) that can be exchanged for
discounts on purchases
, gifts from a catalog, stays or any product from the premises.
The points earned allow you to pay less on your next supermarket purchases.
Photo: Rafael Mario Quinteros / Archive.
Those who sign up for Jumbo + (from here) now also score points by
loading gasoline
at Axion Energy and can use them to get
discounts on fuel
.
On the other hand, Jumbo + members who also have the 365 card get a
discount of up to 20%
when shopping at Jumbo (Monday and Wednesday), at Disco (Tuesday and Thursday) and at Vea (Monday and Thursday).
Save with points on trips
Almost all air travel allows you to
collect miles
redeemable later for
free
or discounted
tickets
, either from the same airline or from
other partners
.
Accommodation, car rentals, excursions or appliances are other possible prizes to get.
But for all this, the requirement is to
sign up for
the plans,
claim the miles
after each trip and not let them expire.
Aerolineas Plus, Latam Pass, Smiles (from Gol) and Avios (from Iberia, British Airways and others) are among the best known programs.
On the other hand, travelers who buy flights and other tourist services
by agency
have since last year a chance to get
additional benefits
.
Since the main operator,
Despegar
, launched its own scoring program.
What does it consist of?
To customers who sign up for free in
Despegar Passport
(from here), each purchase gives them points that they can exchange for
nights of accommodation
-the most chosen option-,
flights
, packages or activities.
With points and miles programs, passengers accumulate credits that later make subsequent trips cheaper.
Photo: Germán García Adrasti.
"The traveler can
integrate
these benefits with those of other loyalty programs. They can earn points with the airline, the hotel, the car rental company and, in addition, with the Passport," said
Paula Cristi
, general manager of Despegar for Argentina and Uruguay.
"Likewise," added Cristi-, they can pay at Despegar with their accumulated points and combine them with any other means of payment, such as one or two cards, cash, etc. And they have access to
exclusive discounts
. "
In Passport there is a system whereby customers, the more they spend on trips per year, the more points they get for every dollar spent (up to
40% more
).
In addition, in all cases, when making a purchase, the accumulated points are
renewed for 18 months
.
Save with points when using your credit card
The main banks have
reward systems
whereby each peso spent with their credit cards (and sometimes with debit cards) credits usable points later to obtain all kinds of
prizes and discounts
on purchases.
The thing to keep in mind is that, if they are not redeemed in time, the points expire and
are lost
.
On the other hand, in some banks, purchases made with the official Now 12 installment plan
do not add up to credits
.
Each time the card is consumed, the customer adds points that can later be exchanged for prizes and discounts.
Photo: Mario Quinteros.
Among the
most recognized
banking
scoring
programs
are:
I like it, from
Banco Ciudad
.
Me Sumo, from
Banco Provincia
.
Benefits, of the
Nation
.
Superclub, from
Santander
.
I want! From
Banco Galicia
.
Premia, from
Banco Macro
.
Owl Points,
Mortgage
.
Save with points using your cell phone
There are also
loyalty programs
that allow you to get benefits from what is paid each month for cell phone service.
In
Claro's
case,
it is properly a point
system
.
To start accumulating points (1 point for every $ 3 spent), customers
must join
Claro Club from Mi Claro.
They can then be redeemed for discounts on equipment, access to videos and more.
Customers
Personal
-as well as Fibertel and Flow -
, meanwhile, are getting off the app Personal Club the chance to access
discounts
in more than
250 brands
and also "
regular gifts"
as refills, resets and discounts on cell .
Movistar
, meanwhile, offers its customers that
adhere
to the Club Movistar program multiple discounts and promotions entertainment, shows, shopping, gastronomy, tourism and other areas.
Save with points when going to the movies
Those who usually go to the cinemas of the
Cinemark
and
Hoyts
chains
have the opportunity to register (from here) for the
Cine Fan
program
and start
collecting points
each time they buy a ticket.
Those credits can
be exchanged for tickets
, candy combos, merchandise discounts and more.
In addition, members are given access to
exclusive
avant premieres
and contests.
The points allow you to get free movie tickets and pay less for popcorn and drinks.
Photo: Fernando de la Orden.
Save with points when you go out for a drink
Are there also rewards programs in
coffee shop chains
that can be taken advantage of?
Yes. Two to keep in mind are:
-Starbucks Rewards.
Those who
register
begin to add a "
star
" for every $ 20 paid in the chain's stores.
Then, depending on the accumulated amount, you access benefits such as
free drinks
, refilling the glass and special offers.
-Club Café Martínez.
After downloading an app and registering, the customer begins to earn points, at a rate of 1 for every $ 20 of consumption.
These credits give access to
special prices
,
discounts
from
15% to 50%
, and promos such as a 2x1 in the month of the birthday.
Save with points when buying books
Bookstore chains have points plans to reward the most loyal customers.
Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami.
Finally, there are major
bookstores
that have loyalty programs with scores.
The one from
Yenny
,
El Ateneo
and
Tematika.com
, called eXtra !, allows you to accumulate credits to pay less for the next books.
By redeeming different amounts of points, customers can get
discounts on their purchases
of between
$ 50 and $ 900
.
Cúspide
, meanwhile, gives its customers a
card
called cúspidemax so that they can accumulate points, which can later be exchanged for any product offered in the stores and online store.
If
12 months
go by
without making purchases, the points are lost.
MG
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