Little-known Clubcard rule called ‘kick in the teeth’ for Tesco customers

There’s nothing better than scanning your Tesco Clubcard at the end of your shop and seeing that price go down – though it would be much nicer if the prices were just cheaper to start off with.

Especially considering the fact that not everyone is allowed to use a Clubcard to save those valuable pennies.

In fact, consumer watchdog Which? dubbed the supermarket’s benefits scheme a ‘teenage kick in the teeth’, because the card has an age limit.

You can’t use a Clubcard if you’re under the age of 18, meaning younger shoppers are forced to pay higher prices.

This restriction means Tesco has been named a winner of the Which? 2025 ‘Shoddie awards’ – dedicated to exposing annoying practices in supermarket retailers.

Tesco isn’t the only one on the naughty list…

Now, it’s not the only retailer that has this age limit on its benefits card. Morrisons and Waitrose also have an 18 or older rule, and even prevent people without fixed addresses from accessing lower prices.

Lidl got a shout out too, particularly for having a loyalty card only available via an app, so those without access to ‘digital connectivity’ also suffer.

The consumer champion suggested opting for schemes offered by Co-op or Sainsbury’s. These supermarkets let you join their loyalty schemes if you’re 16 or over, and you can get a card to scan, so if you don’t have a phone, you’re covered.

Where to shop if you can’t get a loyalty card

Aldi is also a great alternative because, despite not having a loyalty card, it still regularly offers the cheapest groceries in the monthly price comparison.

It had the most affordable supermarket shop in June, charging £131.52 for a 79 item shop, although Lidl was close behind at just 37p more expensive (without the loyalty card).

Asda came third, with the same basket of groceries costing £144.82, a whole £2 cheaper than a Tesco shop with the Clubcard discount.

The exciting new Clubcard bonus

While the age limit on the Clubcard is annoying, there’s one perk we can’t stop thinking about.

To celebrate the loyalty scheme’s 30th year, a million Virgin points will be awarded to one lucky customer to be spent on holidays, flights, travel upgrades and experiences galore.

For context, this top prize is enough for three nights (for two people) at the Mahali Mzuri luxury safari resort in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, three nights at the Kasbah Tamadot retreat in the Atlas mountains, and six nights at Mont Rochelle in the heart of South Africa’s wine region.

Five runners up will also get 500,000 points each, equivalent to the value of around $7,000 (£5,174) according to Nerdwallet analysis.

To be in the running, all you need to do is auto-exchange a minimum of 250 Clubcard points with Virgin Red or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

But you’ll need to act fast, as the competition closes on July 20.

And even if you don’t win the big jackpot, all new Clubcard members who register before the deadline will get 5,000 bonus Virgin Points.

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