Have you ever stood at a Boots checkout wondering if your Advantage Card points could help lower your bill—even if you didn’t have quite enough to cover the whole cost? You’re not alone. Many Boots customers ask whether they can use their loyalty points alongside another form of payment. The short answer is: yes, but only in specific scenarios.
Boots has one of the most generous loyalty schemes in the UK, and knowing how and where to use your points can help you maximise savings. This guide will clarify everything you need to know about using Boots points, including when part payment is allowed, how to redeem points in-store and online, and what to do if you don’t have enough to cover the full cost.
What Is the Boots Advantage Card and How Does It Work?
The Boots Advantage Card is the retailer’s well-known loyalty scheme, designed to reward repeat customers with points for every pound they spend. The system is simple: you earn four points for every £1 spent in-store or online, and each point is worth 1p. This means 100 points = £1.
You can use your points to purchase a variety of items at Boots, ranging from skincare products to over-the-counter medicines. Points are stored digitally on your card or app and can be redeemed when you’re ready. However, knowing how the redemption works and where it works is crucial to using them effectively.
Can You Use Boots Points for Part Payment In-Store?
Yes, you can use Boots Advantage Card points for part payment when shopping in-store. This is where the flexibility of the loyalty scheme really shines.
If you don’t have enough points to cover the entire cost of your basket, you can still use what you have and pay the rest with cash, card, or a gift card. This allows you to reduce your total out-of-pocket expense, even if it’s just by a few pounds.
There are two main ways to use points in-store:
- Self-checkout: You can select “Pay with Points” on the payment screen. The system will automatically deduct your available points, and then prompt you to pay the balance using another method.
- Cashier: If you’re at a staffed till, simply ask the cashier to apply your points to the purchase. They’ll let you know how many points you can use and how much you’ll need to pay to cover the rest.
There is a minimum redemption requirement of 4 points, equivalent to £0.04, but there’s no maximum, so you can apply as many points as you have.
Can You Use Boots Points as Part Payment Online?
No, Boots does not allow part payment with points for online purchases. If you’re shopping on the Boots website or app and wish to use Advantage Card points, you must have enough points to cover the entire cost of your order, including delivery fees.
If your points balance falls short, even by just a penny. you will not be able to apply them at checkout. This can be frustrating, especially for frequent online shoppers. It’s worth noting that this limitation applies even if you’re using the Boots app to complete the transaction.
The checkout system simply doesn’t support combining points with another form of payment online, so always check your points balance before starting an order.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough Boots Points?
If you don’t have enough points to pay for a full item, your options depend on where you’re shopping.
In-store, you can still use your points and cover the rest with cash, card, or a gift card. This makes part-payment easy and convenient. You’ll just need a minimum of 4 points to get started.
Online, the situation is less flexible. You’ll either need to:
- Accumulate more points until you can pay for the entire order
- Pay using a standard method like debit/credit card or PayPal
It’s a good idea to plan your online purchases around your points balance, or consider visiting a store if you want to use a partial amount.
How Can You Check and Manage Your Boots Points Balance?
Keeping track of your points is easy with several options available:
- The Boots app lets you view your balance, activate personalised offers, and even manage special reward programmes.
- On the Boots website, you can log into your account and view your current points total and transaction history.
- You can also check your balance in-store by asking a cashier or looking at your receipt after a purchase.
If your Advantage Card is lost or stolen, Boots offers a replacement and can usually transfer your existing points to the new card. Just contact customer support or manage the issue through your online account.
What Are the Restrictions When Using Boots Points?
While the Advantage Card programme is generous, there are some important restrictions on how and where you can use your points.
You cannot use points for the following:
- Prescription items
- Infant formula milk
- Gift cards
- Stamps
- Mobile phone top-ups
- Delivery charges for online orders
Additionally, points cannot be used in part online, as mentioned earlier. These restrictions are in place due to legal, logistical, or company policy reasons, and they apply both in-store and online.
Always check the terms if you’re unsure whether a particular item is eligible for points redemption.
How Can You Earn More Boots Points Quickly?
Although it takes £25 of spending to earn 100 points (£1 value), there are several ways to accelerate your rewards.
The most effective methods include:
- Boots points events, such as “Double Points Weekends” or seasonal offers
- Exclusive app offers tailored to your purchase history
- Joining reward clubs, like
- Boots Parenting Club – up to 8 points per £1 on baby products
- Over 60s Rewards – 8 points per £1 on Boots own-brand items
- Student Discount Programme – exclusive discounts and bonus points
Taking advantage of these options can significantly boost your points balance over time, allowing for more frequent or larger redemptions.
How Do Boots Points Compare for In-Store vs Online Shopping?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of how Boots points can be used in-store versus online:
| Feature | In-Store | Online |
| Part payment with points | Yes | No |
| Full payment with points | Yes | Yes (must cover entire cost) |
| Minimum points for redemption | 4 points (£0.04) | 4 points (£0.04) |
| Use with other payment methods | Yes (cash, card, gift card) | No |
| Points visible in checkout | Yes | Yes |
If you have a low point balance or prefer flexibility, in-store shopping is more favourable. For online purchases, ensure you’ve saved enough points before attempting redemption.
Can You Make the Most of Boots Points With These Tips?
Maximising the value of your Boots Advantage Card points involves more than just collecting them. Timing your redemptions, engaging with the Boots app, and watching out for special promotions can make a real difference.
Here are some final tips:
- Always activate app offers before shopping
- Look out for ‘points booster’ events throughout the year
- Use the receipt or app to regularly monitor your balance
- Redeem points in-store for more payment flexibility
Over time, using your points smartly can result in considerable savings on everyday items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boots Advantage Card
Can you pay part cash and part points at Boots?
Yes, but only in-store. You can pay part of the total with Advantage Card points and cover the rest using cash, card, or gift card.
Can I use Boots points online if I don’t have enough to pay in full?
No. Boots requires that you pay the full amount with points when shopping online. Part payment is not supported digitally.
Do Boots Advantage Card points expire?
Yes. If your Advantage Card is not used for a period of one year, your points may expire. Use your card or app regularly to keep your balance active.
What is the minimum amount of points I can use?
The minimum is 4 points, equivalent to £0.04. Anything above that can be redeemed based on your available balance.
Are all products eligible for points redemption?
No. Certain products such as prescriptions, infant formula, gift cards, and top-ups are excluded from points use.
Can I transfer points from one Boots card to another?
Boots does not officially support transferring points between customers, but if your card is lost or replaced, your points can be transferred to your new card.
Do I get points on purchases made with points?
No. You will not earn points on the portion of a purchase paid for with Advantage Card points.
