Lidl went digital in 2020 launched a new app offering discounts, vouchers, freebies and even digital receipts.
It’s called Lidl Plus and the app is free to download for Lidl customers. Just search 'Lidl Plus' on Google Play or the App Store.
So let’s take a look at everything Lidl Plus gives Lidlers.
1) Discounts off minimum spends at Lidl
Lidl used to run a money-off total bill offer through a newspaper. It would seem the days of cutting out a coupon and handing it in at the till are over for anybody with a smart phone.
Keep an eye out for discounts on the total value of your Lidl shopping when you spend a certain amount. £5 off £30 is a common discount.
2) Discounts on certain products
Lidl Plus currently offers weekly discounts on certain products or even whole product ranges. Effectively, a bigger version of Lidl’s Super Weekend deals.
Discounts can be anything from 10% - 25% off.
Sadly you can only buy one of each product, unlike Sainsbury's smartshop prices that allow you to buy multiple of the same item on offer.
Best thing to do is check the Lidl Plus app every Thursday when new discounts are available. Make sure to scroll through all the offers and hit 'activate' on the ones you want to use. Otherwise you won't get the discount when you scan your app at the checkout.
In addition to this, you can get a wider range of non-personalised offers that work in a similar way to Tesco Clubcard or Sainsbury's Nectar prices. You won't need to activate these in the Lidl Plus app, the discounts will be taken when you scan your app at the checkout.
3) Free stuff and money off when you spend a certain amount
Sadly, this perk used to be much better, But now its mostly freebies until you spend £250 in a month to get 10% of your next shop.
10% off voucher when spending £250 in a calendar month – up to a maximum of £20.
If you spend £100 in a month, you qualify for a free own-brand item, and then again if you spend £150.
Free bakery item when you spend £10 in a month
Lidl Plus is also available in Northern Ireland but offers may differ.
4) Digital scratch card every time you shop at Lidl
This is a fun little extra which I used to love but is now pretty rubbish. It’s a bit like McDonald’s Monopoly.
Simply buy something at Lidl and scan the app at the checkout.
A scratch card will be activated on the app.
The rate of winning used to be much higher and the prizes are really just discounts on products.
Scratch cards are limited to one per hour per shop. So you can’t buy 10 things and put them through as 10 separate transactions thinking you’ll get 10 scratch cards.
5) Partner offers
A nice little bonus but nothing unique at the moment. You can get discounts on subscriptions and services.
Arguably the best offer is discount on cinema tickets at a variety of the big cinema chains.
It says up to 40% off tickets, but on closer inspection the discounts tend to be around 20%-30%. The offer appears to be ongoing.
So while it can’t beat Meerkat Movies for bargain mid-week movies, it could be handy for weekend cinema trips.
I expect as more customers start using Lidl Plus, offers will vary depending on demand.
6) Digital receipts
Being able to look at your receipts online just seems expected these days.
So it’s great to see this feature on Lidl Plus. Your receipts look exactly like the paper ones you get, just conveniently stored in the app.
A) It’s really useful for budgeting during the cost of living crisis so that you can see if you actually stuck to your shopping list…or ended up buying extra bits in the middle of Lidl!
B) It will hopefully reduce paper waste by avoiding printed receipts. It doesn’t look like this is happening at the moment, but hopefully customers will be given the option of printing a receipt instead of the till automatically printing one.
Tips on using Lidl Plus
1) Log in before your next shop to make sure you’ve checked the latest offers. Offers rotate weekly. Thursday is the day most new offers appear on Lidl Plus.
This may also include general in-store offers on branded products that don't require activating on the app.
2) You need to activate an offer in the app to redeem it in store. It won’t automatically give you a discount just because you’ve bought it.
3) If you’re using self-service, sometimes the scanning tool doesn't work. You have the option of manually typing in your Lidl Plus card number instead.
4) Head to Lidl after 7pm to get 30% off all bakery items!
You'll need to activate this offer within the app (it will only be available from 7pm daily).
The products can be frozen or are great the day after.
Summary
However much or little you shop at Lidl, you should definitely get the Lidl Plus app.
It’s free and easy to register an account.
If you’re against companies accessing more of your data, well maybe it’s not for you.
But with the vouchers, discounts and potential extra little freebies, it’s nice to see Lidl enter the digital shopping age with something a bit different to just a standard points card
