Consumers fume after Woolworths announces sweeping changes to Everyday Rewards Extra program

Shoppers are up in arms after Woolworths announced a suite of changes to its popular Everyday Rewards Extra program.

Shoppers have been left fuming after a suite of changes to Woolworths’ popular Everyday Rewards Extra program were announced that significantly reduced its value.

The retailer announced three major changes to the program, which only launched last year, which included increasing the annual subscription fee from $59 to $70.

Members would also no longer be able to access a 10 per cent discount at Woolworths and Big W online, with the discount now to be only be available in store.

Points have also been reduced from 3x to 2x for both Woolworths and Big W for online and in store shoppers.

Shoppers are not happy they can no longer get a discount online. Picture: Facebook

Consumers will be paying more and receiving less for their money, but the company has argued it had to make changes to ensure the program “continues to provide great value to our members and a core part of our offering”.

“Everyday Extra has been in pilot phase for the past year. As we look to roll out the Everyday Extra program more broadly, we’ve had to make some changes to the program to ensure it continues to provide great value to our members and a core part of our offering,” a spokesperson said.

“We know the vast majority of Everyday Extra subscribers are redeeming their 10 per cent discount in store and in order to streamline the offering, we have made the decision to make the 10 per cent discount only available in store.”

By reducing the points bonus, the retailer said it would be better able to “offer the service to more members” and enable it to “invest in additional member benefits in the future”.

“Our Everyday Rewards program helps members save hundreds of dollars on their shopping every year, by earning reward points and boosting offers when shopping in our stores and with our partners,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“It’s been a year since we started to trial Everyday Extra and it’s been pleasing to see the value early subscribers have unlocked from the program, saving on average $30 a month.

“Now as we continue to invest in Everyday Extra and our broader Everyday Rewards program, we are making some changes to the pricing and benefits in the coming months.”

The changes will take effect on July 1, the spokesperson said.

Not having a discount for online shopping was a deal-breaker for many shoppers. Picture: Facebook

“Everyday Extra subscribers can still save up to $100 a month with monthly discounts shopping across Woolworths and BIG W, double Everyday Rewards points on their everyday shopping and Extra Perks including free products.”

The retailer offered some advice to members who wanted to continue with their Extra subscription, saying regularly checking the phone app was the way to go.

“We encourage our Everyday Extra members to regularly check the Everyday Rewards app as it allows them to quickly activate offers and boosters which often include 10x points on certain products at the click of a button – making it simpler for members to reach their next redemption even quicker,” a statement read.

Consumers were notably peeved by the changes, with many threatening to cancel their subscription.

In an online poll that surveyed almost 2000 members, 67 per cent indicated that not having access to the 10 per cent discount for online shopping was a “deal-breaker”.

“Having no car due to the cost of living pressure and a little one, the only way I can shop at Woolies is online once a month. Losing the online code for Woolworths is a huge deal-breaker for us as we get a huge benefit from it,” one person responded.

“I live 1.5hrs from a Woolworths and do a big online shop monthly. The main reason I used it was for the discount, so no online code is a deal-breaker,” another said.

“Losing my 10 per cent off online means I’ll cancel my subscription as I do 95 per cent of my shopping online as I find it too hard to get to the shops,” a third person wrote.

To soften the blow, Woolworths has offered three months of additional free access on the current annual plan for Everyday Extra subscribers, while monthly subscribers will receive a month free.

Originally published as Consumers fume after Woolworths announces sweeping changes to Everyday Rewards Extra program