rebel Active points: How much are they really worth?
Fitness retailer rebel is now offering loyalty points - here's what you need to know.
The rebel Active loyalty scheme has undergone a major revamp this week, and now offers the ability to earn points with all purchases.
Points loyalty schemes are a common way for stores to try and attract customers - think Woolworths Rewards, Flybuys and IKEA Family for starters.
But how much value can you really get from rebel Active? Here's my analysis.
Earning rebel Active points follows a simple formula: you get 1 point for every $1 you spend. Part-dollar amounts don't count. So if you spend $20.37, you'll get 20 points.
Each loyalty point then lets you take 5 cents off your next purchase at rebel.
The good thing 😊. There's no minimum number of points needed to redeem. Say you spent $30 at Rebel. You'll earn 150 points, which is worth $1.50 off your next purchase. You can spend that on that next purchase- you don't have to wait until you have a certain amount. That's different to, say, IKEA rewards keys or Everyday Rewards $10 off voucher, where you need to reach a minimum amount before you get anything.
The bad thing 😢. Your points expire 6 months after you earn them. So if you're making a one-off purchase, you might never get to use them.
Of course, rebel is hoping you'll spend those points, earn more points in the process and keep returning. But that's not a particularly wise shopping strategy.
How much are rebel Active points worth?
Effectively, each point is worth 5 cents off a future purchase.
That's quite solid value. As a point of comparison, a Qantas Point or a Velocity Point is worth around 2 cents. However, you can hang onto those for longer, and you also earn them more quickly. (A $129 sale domestic Qantas flight earns you 800 Qantas Points, for instance.)
As ever, smart shopping counts. If you shop around and find something for 10% less elsewhere, that's still better than buying at rebel just to earn the points.
Bottom line? It's free to join rebel Active, so if you're going to make a purchase at rebel anyway, you might as well bank what amounts to a discount voucher. But don't feel obliged to spend it for its own sake.
Want to keep your frequent flyer points balance growing? Check out the latest credit card sign-up deals.