Nectar Connect is closing…(Picture: Getty Images)

Supermarket loyalty card schemes such as Sainsbury’s Nectar have become more popular than ever in the current cost of living crisis – with customers able to put their points towards their supermarket shopping as prices remain stubbornly high.

However one feature offered to Nectar customers is now coming to an end – and it’s likely to affect the way shoppers collect points.

The Nectar Connect scheme closes on October 27 – giving shoppers just one more day to use the scheme.

How will its closure affect customers and is it being replaced? Here’s what you need to know…

When is Nectar Connect closing?

When is Nectar Connect closing?

Nectar Connect is closing at 11.59pm on October 27 – giving shoppers just a few more hours to use it.

The scheme allows Nectar customers to link their bank account to their Nectar account, meaning that they collect points every time they make a qualifying purchase from hundreds of brands, which have been regularly updated.

However the closure of the scheme will mean your bank card will no longer be linked to your Nectar account.

Sainsbury’s shoppers will see their Nectar points decrease as a result of the closure (Picture: Getty Images)

In an email sent earlier this month, notifying customers of the change, it said: ‘We wanted to let you know that Nectar Connect is coming to an end on October 27 – this is the last date you can collect points on Nectar Connect offers.’

After the scheme ends, shoppers who used Nectar Connect, will likely see the number of points they gain decrease meaning they will earn less money to spend in store and at partner stores.

No reason has been given for the closure of the scheme.

How will Nectar Connect’s closure affect shoppers?

The scheme’s closure will mean that the number of points shoppers can gain on their Nectar card will decrease.

Those who were using Nectar Connect could in some cases gain up to 30 points for every £1 spent – with customers being able to take advantage of offers from the likes of Costa Coffee, Nandos, Oliver Bonas, Nike and Deliveroo.

However, in the absence of the scheme there will be fewer opportunities to collect Nectar points – meaning customers will have less points to spend in-store and at partner stores.

Each Nectar point is worth 0.5p to spend in Sainsbury’s stores, meaning 100 points is worth 50p.

However, you can sometimes spend Nectar points at partner stores for a slight boost.

For example, you can spend 350 points at Caffe Nero (usually worth £1.75) on any hot or cold drink.

Alternatively you can convert your Nectar points to Avios to spend on British Airways flights, with 400 Nectar points currently worth 250 Avios.

MORE : Sainsbury’s makes major money-saving change to Nectar points – what you need to know

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

You’ve only got hours left to use it.