Pampers makes major change to loyalty scheme and parents are furious

PAMPERS is making a huge change to its popular rewards scheme and it means parents could be missing out on rewards. The free Pampers Rewards app, known as Pampers Club, lets parents earn points for every Pampers product that they purchase. Pampers is making a huge change to its loyalty rewards scheme Credit: Alamy Every packet of nappies or wipes comes with a numerical code or QR code which parents can scan or enter into the app to earn points. These points can then be converted into money-off vouchers that can be redeemed at major retailers like Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Boots. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Shoppers earn one point for every nappy and five points for every wipes pack that is scanned. But the shake-up to the app, which will take place on August 24, will see a new points system introduced, with bonuses removed and customer’s balances slashed. The current bonus of 300 points for every third qualifying nappy pack scanned will be scrapped And the 200 bonus points for the first qualifying scan for new members is also being removed. Pampers said the changes would make its loyalty scheme simpler, but regular customers have been left confused and annoyed. Taking to Reddit, one user said: “I’m not sure whether new or old works out better and whether I should be scanning all the codes I’ve got now or later? Is there any difference?” Most read in Money Another wrote: “May as well delete the app.” And a third said: “I’m pretty annoyed about the 300 every three scans going even with the lower threshold.” Pampers has said the shake-up will make it easier for shoppers to redeem its most popular reward – a £5 coupon valid across all nappies and pants. This rewards currently costs 2,300 points, but this will fall to just 1,000 points. However, with the second and third nappy pack bonuses removed it will take members much longer to reach the qualifying points. Shoppers will continue to earn one point for every nappy in a qualifying pack and five points for every qualifying pack of wipes. The referral scheme will also remain in place, with members receiving 200 points for each friend they refer to the app, up to a maximum of 1,000 points. In an email to loyalty scheme users, Pampers said: “Every scan matters, whether it’s after a sleepy night change, a quick shop, or another busy day with your little one. “As of August 24, your points balance will be updated. We know your time is precious, and we’re implementing this change to simplify your life.” The brand said reducing the number of points needed for rewards and removing the every-third-scan bonus would make it easier for members to see how their points add up with each purchase. But the impact of the overhaul will depend on the size of the packs a customer buys and how frequently they previously received the bonus. For example, a shopper scanning three qualifying packs containing 60 nappies each currently receives 180 standard points plus the 300-point third-scan bonus. This gives them 480 points in total. Under the new system, the same three packs will earn only the 180 standard points. This suggests that regular customers who consistently earned the third-scan bonus could need to buy slightly more to reach the £5 reward. However, the exact impact on each shopper will vary depending on pack sizes, shopping habits, referrals and which rewards members choose. Occasional customers who rarely reached their third qualifying scan may find the new system works better for this, as the £5 coupon will require fewer points. Pampers Club members will also see their existing balances reduced when the new system is introduced. The company said this was necessary because rewards would cost fewer points under the refreshed offering. It added: “Because rewards will cost fewer points, your points balance will be lowered to match, so your points continue to have similar value in the refreshed catalogue.” Pampers has also encouraged members to redeem their points ahead of the overhaul. The Pampers Club app will be temporarily unavailable while the changes are implemented, but it has not said how long for. The Sun has contacted Pampers for comment. How does the Pampers Club app work? Pampers Club is a free loyalty scheme available through the brand’s app. Customers can collect points by scanning the unique code found inside qualifying packs of Pampers nappies, pants and wipes. The code can also be entered manually if it does not scan correctly. Points can be exchanged for offers through the Rewards section of the app, including money-off coupons for Pampers products. The availability and terms of rewards can change, so shoppers should check where and how a coupon can be used before exchanging their points. Comment now