Waitrose is well-known as a premium, high-end supermarket. That doesn't mean they don't offer a few ways to save some money on the quality meals, ingredients, and treats they sell.
My Waitrose is a supermarket loyalty card, a bit like a Tesco Clubcard or an M&S Sparks Card. If you're familiar with these two, then a My Waitrose card won't be hard to grasp. What you might not realise, however, is just how many benefits it comes with, and how it can save you money.
Even better, it’s free. So while a My Waitrose card works best if you shop regularly with Waitrose, there's absolutely no harm in getting one if you're just an occasional visitor.
Read on to learn just how much they offer.
We feature Waitrose as a brand on our site, meaning you can earn cashback when you shop online. There aren't hoops to jump through when you have a TopCashback account. Just click the Hummingbird above, shop online as normal, have it delivered to your home, and get cashback for it. We promise it's that simple.
Waitrose card discounts
Waitrose go their own way with their loyalty scheme. You don't use your My Waitrose card to rack up points with all your purchases. They go for a more general approach with their rewards.
That isn't to say they slack when it comes to savings. At its most basic, you can get a lot of money off food and Waitrose drinks when you shop with a My Waitrose card, or with your online account.
Personalised deals on certain products
Then there are Waitrose's personalised discounts for Waitrose cardholders. Regular shoppers get discount vouchers tailored to their personal shopping habits and needs. There is almost always a new way to save money and to discover bargains.
You don't get the constant, low-level discounts of other loyalty cards. Instead, you get something specifically designed to save you money and to reward you for shopping at Waitrose.
Even better, these My Waitrose vouchers get better-tailored and more accurate the more you shop with them. While you keep getting bargains, whether in-store or on their website, they work to make the next set of discounts even more relevant to your life.
Cheaper meat, cheese, fish, and dry cleaning
Simply having a My Waitrose membership gets you special offers on certain products during specific days. Shop on Thursdays for 20% off cheese, Fridays for the same 20% discount on fish, and Saturdays for meat. When you think about how pricey these can be, especially quality brands, a 20% discount can potentially save you loads.
There are other, more specific discounts as well. If you get your dry cleaning done at Waitrose, it’ll cost you 10% less with a free My Waitrose membership. Splash out on cooking classes at Waitrose Cookery School and get 5% off.
Some of these probably aren't everyday purchases for a lot of shoppers. Nonetheless, they're potential ways to save money on some of the finer things in life that you get access to for nothing. You could even get a Waitrose Cookery School class as a gift for a loved one and save that bit extra.
Cashback on Waitrose purchases
If you have both My Waitrose and Vitality health or life insurance, then you also get cashback on Waitrose's Good Health products. You get paid when you shop to live longer and healthier. There are worse deals in life than that!
Product | My Waitrose Discount |
|---|---|
Cheese | 20% (on Thursdays) |
Fish | 20% (on Fridays) |
Meat | 20% (on Saturdays) |
Dry Cleaning | 10% |
Waitrose Cookery School | 5% |
Waitrose Good Health Products | Up to 25% (cashback, with conditions) |
Personalised items based on | Variable |
Product | My Waitrose Discount |
|---|---|
Cheese | 20% (on Thursdays) |
Fish | 20% (on Fridays) |
Meat | 20% (on Saturdays) |
Dry Cleaning | 10% |
Waitrose Cookery School | 5% |
Waitrose Good Health Products | Up to 25% (cashback, with conditions) |
Personalised items based on | Variable |
Other Waitrose card benefits
My Waitrose isn't just about discounts. It's also about you making your weekly shop that bit more convenient and satisfying. From front door to checkout counter, or even if you shop on the phone app, it just becomes nicer.
The beloved free coffee
The most lauded feature of My Waitrose is the free hot drink. Scan your card, and use their self-serve machines to pour yourself a tea or coffee from the Waitrose partners at Nero Roasting Company.
You do need to bring your own cup with you. Don’t get caught out and forced to go coffeeless!
Yes, the weekly shop can be a chore. But with a free coffee in hand, maybe it's not that bad after all.
Waitrose ScanPayGo
MyWaitrose members also get to use the ScanPayGo feature as they browse. You can scan your shopping as you go, either with the Waitrose mobile app or with one of their hand scanners. This lets you pack as you go. When you reach the self-service tills, payment will take only a few moments before you can leave.
It can also be a great way to track your spending. As tempting as many of the offers are, remember that the card is there to save you money. Don’t go overboard and end up costing yourself.
Exclusive competitions
One of the most exciting Waitrose card benefits is access to members-only competitions. The Waitrose Weekend crossword contest, which gives John Lewis vouchers as its prize, is open to all members. However, there are other exclusive competitions for My Waitrose members.
These include prize draws offering luxury hampers inspired by Waitrose food items, with premium snacks and drinks available. Not every supermarket loyalty scheme will let you nibble on top-quality breakfast food, indulge in luxury treats, or enjoy other items picked from their shelves.
Reading material
The benefits don't begin and end on the Waitrose site or in their supermarkets. You also get free magazines, such as the Waitrose food magazine. Once you've enjoyed discounts like Fish Friday, why not learn some new recipes for your premium food?
How to get a My Waitrose card
A Waitrose card unlocks plenty of discounts and benefits to make your shopping that bit more affordable and enjoyable. Luckily, it's very easy to get.
A reminder, a Waitrose card is completely free. It costs you nothing to get and can save you lots. Even if you only shop at Waitrose occasionally, it's worth checking out.
Simply go to the My Waitrose page and click 'Sign up' to register. You'll need to set up your email and password.
Many shoppers will want to download the app. It provides convenience and saves on potential plastic waste.
However, some shoppers prefer a more physical approach. You can absolutely get a physical Waitrose card to scan, in place of a mobile app, if you prefer. You can either print off a physical copy on paper or request a plastic card to be mailed to you.
You can only get a plastic card three days after you originally sign up. If you do prefer a physical card and want to get your Waitrose benefits right away, either use the app in the interim or sign up for a My Waitrose account ahead of time.
Tips for saving money with your My Waitrose card
Having a My Waitrose card is a great way to unlock savings. However, it doesn't affect the cost of your weekly shop automatically. There are a few things you can do to double down on savings and make the card worth its while.
Time your weekly shop for discounts
Very few customers are going to shop multiple times at Waitrose a week to benefit from Big Cheese Thursday, Fish Friday, and Sizzling Saturday. If you enjoy a lot of free time, you might, but many people want to shop once a week at most.
With a bit of planning, you can still make the most of these three deals. Look at your meals for the week and see whether meat, cheese, or fish is likely to cost you the most. Then, if you can, shop on the day that gives you 20% off. That way, you get your favourite and most expensive foods for much less.
You can also buy in bulk on that day and stock your freezer, particularly with meat and fish. It comes with an upfront cost, but you'll save money in the long run if you alternate and get 20% on two weeks of fish or meat at a time.
Don't suddenly splurge on expensive services
New members to My Waitrose might be dazzled by how many things they get discounts on. Many of these sound particularly luxurious, especially things like cooking classes and dry cleaning.
You don't need us to tell you that splurging on these things is the opposite of saving. If you think dry cleaning, cooking lessons, or cashback on Waitrose Good Health products will genuinely improve your life or your finances, absolutely enjoy those benefits. But you may save more by not leaping at every discount Waitrose offer.
Use your vouchers
One of Waitrose's most lauded ways of rewarding customers is their Personalised Offers system. These virtual vouchers are tailored to your shopping habits to provide automatic discounts when you scan your card.
However, they don't last forever. You choose new ones each week, and each one displays an expiry date. Don't miss out on the chance to choose your discounts and save, and don't leave personalised vouchers in your account to gather dust.
What's more, these vouchers get more personalised the more you scan your Waitrose card on purchases. If you're consistent in your shopping at Waitrose, there'll almost always be a way to save on something you really want.
Stack discounts with cashback
Did you know that you can get cashback on top of your My Waitrose discounts? The two work together to get you the biggest savings possible. Just follow TopCashback’s Waitrose link and select your My Waitrose vouchers like normal.
This way, you combine two lots of savings in one shopping trip. With Waitrose’s money off your items, and cashback putting money back in your pocket, it’s like having two discounts in one.
Don't forget you can save money with TopCashback
We're offering new members an exclusive £15 cashback just for signing up using the green button below and spending £15+ with Waitrose or any of our other retailers on-site.
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Don't wait(rose), get a membership today
A My Waitrose card needs a little more work to get the biggest savings compared to a Tesco Clubcard or Sainsbury's Nectar card. It's also attached to Britain's favourite high-end supermarket, meaning it naturally comes with higher costs attached.
Nonetheless, you can get truly high-quality products for less when you sign up for My Waitrose. If you already shop at Waitrose, are thinking of doing so, or even just pop in occasionally when convenient, it's a completely free way to spend less.
You can get more for less with a My Waitrose card, as long as you don't get caught up in the glitz and discounts.
If you want other ways to save money on your weekly shop, check out TopCashback's cashback offers with Waitrose and other supermarkets. It's like a post-purchase discount that still ensures you pay less for the things you and your family need.
Are you already signed up to My Waitrose? How does it compare with other supermarkets' loyalty schemes? Please, leave your thoughts in the comments below.