MILLIONS of Tesco shoppers can now get free Clubcard points worth up to £50.
Starting today, both new and existing Ovo Energy customers can earn 2,500 free Tesco Clubcard points simply by linking their accounts online.
The 2,500 Clubcard points can be converted into a £25 voucher to spend at Tesco or doubled in value to £50 when redeemed with over 100 Clubcard Reward Partners.
These partners offer a wide range of rewards, including family days out, discounts at popular restaurant chains, and various fun experiences.
To qualify for this offer, customers must pay by Direct Debit and have a smart meter installed.
Lizzie Reynolds, Tesco Group membership and loyalty director, said: "Clubcard unlocks the best value at Tesco and we are always looking for new ways to bring even more benefits to the 22million UK households that have a Clubcard.
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"Thanks to our new partnership with OVO, many Clubcard holders can now unlock 2,500 extra Clubcard points, giving money off their shopping or to double in value with more than 100 Clubcard reward partners."
The news comes as Ovo Energy launched its own loyalty programme dubbed Ovo Beyond.
The offering is said to help customers unlock up to £1,500 of savings and discounts on selected partner products and services.
This includes discounts on smart thermostats, free boiler service, and 30% off heating and plumbing repairs.
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Customers will also have the opportunity to bank free miles and bill credit to be redeemed in the future when they switch to an electric vehicle, install solar panels and more.
Ovo Energy was founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick in September 2009 and by 2017 provided energy tariffs to over 700,000 households.
How does the Tesco Clubcard scheme work?
TESCO'S Clubcard scheme allows shoppers to earn points as they shop, these points can then be turned into vouchers for money off food or other reward partner schemes.
When you spend £1 in-store or online, you get one point when you scan your card or app.
Drivers using Clubcards now get one point for every two litres spent on fuel.
One point equals 1p, so 150 points gets you £1.50, for example.
You'll need a minimum of 150 points to request a voucher.
These vouchers can either be worth the face value to spend in-store at Tesco, or you can double their worth to spend at reward partners, including restaurants, and on days out.
Loyalty card holders can also get cheaper prices on over 8,000 items thanks to Clubcard Prices.
These Clubcard prices save the average member £351 on their annual shop, according to Tesco.
The company now supplies 4.5million households with gas and electricity across the UK.
In September 2019, OVO agreed to pay £500 million for SSE Energy Services, the retail business of SSE plc.
In January 2024, all remaining SSE customers moved to the Ovo Energy brand, and the SSE domestic home energy brand ceased to exist.
Since SSE plc disbanded its domestic energy arm its sole focus has been on power generation through the operation of several UK power stations.
Its SSE Renewables arm also builds and operates onshore and offshore wind farms across the UK and Ireland as well as running hydroelectric operations in Scotland.
We've explained how to link your Ovo and Tesco Clubcard accounts to take advantage of the new points offer below.
LINK YOUR OVO AND CLUBCARD ACCOUNTS
New customers can link their Tesco Clubcard account when they sign up as an OVO customer through the Tesco Clubcard journey.
Their 2,500 points will be credited within 60 days if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Existing customers need to log into their OVO account, go to their profile, click "Our partners", and select the Tesco Clubcard logo to connect their Tesco account.
After meeting the eligibility criteria, click the "Activate offer" button. 2,500 points will be credited within 60 days as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
To be eligible for this offer, customers must be a new or existing OVO customer on any fixed or standard variable tariff, have a smart meter and pay their OVO bill by Direct Debit.
Customers also need to have a Tesco Clubcard online account.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
OTHER ENERGY SUPPLIER LOYALTY SCHEMES
OVO Energy isn't the first firm to launch a loyalty scheme in recent years.
Octopus Energy, the UK's second biggest supplier, unveiled "Octoplus" last October.
Customers can earn money by taking part in the firm's Saving Sessions which credits customers back for using energy during peak times.
Households can also get free weekly coffee from Greggs, discounted Odeon cinema tickets and bonus loyalty points for referring friends and family through the scheme.
Octoplus is free to sign up for through the Octopus Energy app or via your online account.
The E.ON Next Plus loyalty scheme also offers customers, depending on their length of service with the provider, discounts on shopping and money off bills.
For example, you get £20 off your yearly bill if you have been with E.ON Next for one year or more.
Customers who have been with the firm for two years or more can get £50 off their bill.
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There are extra eligibility criteria to meet, too, with more information available on the energy firm's website.
You can sign up for the loyalty scheme via the E.ON Next app, downloadable via Google Play or the Apple App Store.