Introduction
There are a few different ways employees can use their discounts program to save money. Here's an overview of what these are, which countries they're available in, how they work and some key retailer examples.
Instant Vouchers
Instant Vouchers can be ordered at anytime, anywhere, and on any device – and are instantly accessible and redeemable from the 'My Instant Vouchers' section on the user's account.
Employees simply log into their SmartSpending™ discounts platform, choose the retailer they want to buy an Instant Voucher for, and pay a reduced amount for it.
The voucher which may be in the form of a unique code, barcode or QR code is then sent electronically and instantaneously to the user.
We know that the users of our discounts platform prefer to shop instantly, whether that's online or in-store, so we have invested heavily in increasing the number of Instant Vouchers we have available.
Key UK examples: Cineworld, ODEON, Vue Cinemas, Evans Cycles, Currys, Argos, Debenhams, Ernest Jones, H.Samuel, The Entertainer, Specsavers, iTunes, National Trust, Caffe Nero, Primark, IKEA
Key AUS examples: Rebel, Coles, WISH, David Jones, Myer, Priceline, Jetstar, Good Food, Event Cinemas and Hoyts
Key US examples: Best Buy, Lowe’s, American Airlines, Cabela's, Delta Airlines, Sephora, GAP, Macy’s, Home Depot, Wayfair, AMC
Instant Vouchers are also available in New Zealand and Ireland.
Also read What are Instant Vouchers?
Instant SMS Vouchers
We currently have a some of the biggest restaurant retailers on the SmartSpending™ site offering Instant SMS Voucher discounts, whereby the voucher code is delivered to the customer via SMS instantly at the point of purchase.
Instant SMS Vouchers are only available in the UK.
Key UK examples: Pizza Express, Zizzi, ASK Italian
Cashback
We built our Cashback technology in-house nearly a decade ago, and it continues to lead the field today. We currently have a strong, curated range of retailers who offer the best exclusive savings
Importantly:
- There are no fees, withdrawal minimums, or forced withdrawals.
- Users earn real money, rather than points collection.
- Employees simply collect their Cashback and can withdraw it at any time.
- They can easily choose between withdrawal to their bank account, use it to pay or part-pay for discounted Instant Vouchers (and Reloadable Cards in the UK), or it can be donated to charity.
- Cashback requested to be withdrawn to a bank account will appear in their account in three to five working days.
Key UK examples: Hotels.com, Expedia, Groupon, Carphone Warehouse, Aviva Car Insurance, Sky, Three Mobile, Mobiles.co.uk
Key AUS examples: The Iconic, West Elm, Hotels.com, Expedia, Wotif, Lastminute.com
Key US examples: Hotels.com, TurboTax, Expedia, Walmart, Groupon, IHG
Cashback is also available in Ireland and New Zealand.
Also read Why do we use Cashback?
Reloadable Cards
Available in the UK only, Reloadable Cards offer savings by purchasing store credit at a discount rate with retailers that employees use regularly. There are currently 32 Reloadable Card offers on the SmartSpending™ platform. Cards can be ordered at anytime, anywhere, and on any device – whether a smartphone, laptop, tablet, and desktop computer.
Employees simply log into the platform, choose the retailer they want to buy a Reloadable Card for, and then pay a reduced amount for it. Top-ups are done in the same way. New Reloadable Cards need to be activated before use. Activations/top-ups placed before 11am on weekdays will be ready for use the next day.
We are the pioneering provider of Instant Reloadable Cards, with 9 current offers of this type. With Instant cards, users don't need to wait before they can put them to use. Upon activation or any subsequent top-ups, the money is loaded instantly to the card, 24/7.
This allows for much greater engagement with the offers as members are encouraged by their ease of use and can take the opportunity to load their cards at any time including weekends and during public holidays.
Key UK examples: Tesco, Halfords, EasySaver™ Card, Ernest Jones, H.Samuel, Wickes, Wyevale Garden Centres, Mitchells & Butlers, Greene King, Sainsbury’s, Costa, Caffe Nero, B&Q, Arcadia.
EasySaver™ Card
This is an Instant Reloadable Card redeemable at over 40 of the UK's favourite high-street stores. The EasySaver™ Card gives a fantastic 7.5% discount, as well as the flexibility of spending in a variety of stores.
The EasySaver™ Card is only available in the UK.
Key UK examples: Currys, Argos, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Ernest Jones, H.Samuel, Halfords, Boots, Go Outdoors, Iceland, Matalan, Beaverbrooks, Waterstones, Superdrug, New Look, Wilko, River Island.