Martin Lewis, 45, says Asda customers can get a four per cent Christmas shopping boost if they take advantage of a loophole in its savings stamps scheme.
The company has a ‘Christmas savings card’ designed to help people save cash in the run-up to the expensive festive period.
Asda customers can pick up a savings card at any Asda store – then register it on their website so the balance on the card can be protected if lost.
The supermarket designed the card to help saving for Christmas easier – money can be added to the card at any Asda checkout or the Customer Service Desk.
But money expert Martin has found an impressive loophole that could add 4% to anyone’s card – but only if you act fast.
Appearing on This Morning on Friday, Martin said: “Supermarket savings stamps encourage year-long saving for Christmas, yet a loophole allows you to get the year’s bonus in one day.”
According to the Money Saving Expert, if you top up the maximum £144 on Asda’s Christmas Savings Card (which you can pick up in-store by 5pm Sunday 12 November, on Monday Asda will add £6 to the card – which is a four per cent boost.
Martin added: “If you top up less, say £97, you’ll get £3 on top.
“You don’t have to spend the cash on the card all in one go, but you do have to spend it in Asda stores (excludes petrol and lottery tickets).
“in other words, if you’re planning to shop in Asda before Christmas (or in the future, as the cards last two years) then you may as well do this.
“Iceland and the Co-op have similar schemes too.”
Martin also revealed this week how BT Broadband users could dodge its price hike and slash their monthly bill.
BT Broadband users are warned on Thursday by Martin of the rising costs of its service.
But he told Good Morning Britain it could be used as a way to save cash.
Users will soon be sent a letter in the post to notify of BT’s new costs – and here’s where you need to get clever, said Martin.
If you want to leave BT this is the time to do it, as long as you act fast.
He said: “If they notify you of a price change mid contract, you have 30 days for the day the letter is sent to break the contract penalty free.”
But if you are happy with your service and just want a lower rate, it is also time to pick up the phone.
He added: “Call up the standard line and say: ‘I want to stay with you but I can see it’s cheaper elsewhere, so I want you to give me a cheaper price.’”
If this does not work, Martin has a further trick: “Ask to be put through to Disconnections, which is internally know as customer retentions – they have the real power to keep you.”
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