If you’re vegan (or buy a lot of plant-based food or vegan beauty/fashion items), it’s nearly always worth buying a vegan discount card. This is because many offer exclusive discounts that you would otherwise not enjoy. Most cost around £20. But for that, you can often use them in independent health stores (so the cards pay for themselves if you regularly shop there for unique items not found in supermarkets). And some also let you have discounts for online beauty, fashion and footwear items.
VeganCard gives access to hundreds of discounts at retail or online stores, from just one purchase. This is a digital discount card that gives discounts from 10% to 50%, depending on where you shop. Join up to see instantly all the discounts available. Some include vegan beer brands and even ethical vegan supplements and award-winning vegan cheeses. All for just £12 a year membership. This also entitles you automatic entry to various competitions, to win vegan goodies!
Viva! Supporters Discount Club is automatic, if you join this wonderful charity, which educates on plant-based lifestyles and conducts undercover investigations in factory farms. This card gives discounts to over 200 brands both here and worldwide (if shopping online or buying items on holiday). From just £1.50 a month.
VegDining is a membership card that can be used worldwide, so ideal if you travel frequently or are going on holiday. It gives discounts to hundreds of restaurants and shops worldwide, from London restaurants to New York bakeries.
Holland & Barrett has its own loyalty card. The chain health store is not so great these days (selling more supplements than food). But it does sometimes sell unique items for vegans, and using this card will help to bring prices down. You may be better off finding an independent health shop, and seeing if it runs its own loyalty scheme (which will likely be more generous).
Consumer watchdog Which? has recently slammed the big supermarkets, saying their loyalty cards are not worth much, as prices are just often hiked up, so people don’t benefit. Of course, the cheapest way to cook is to make your own food from real ingredients, rather than buying ready-meals or making recipes using obscure expensive ingredients.
