Nectar Points
Best used at Sainsbury's, and surprisingly powerful when converted to Avios. The Nectar Amex card delivers solid value as an everyday rewards card — equivalent to 1% back at Sainsbury's and Argos.
Value per point
0.5p+
More with Avios conversion
Best for
Sainsbury's
shoppers & Avios collectors
Avios transfer
1:1
400 Nectar = 400 Avios
The honest verdict
If you travel
Nectar points convert to Avios at 1:1. If you shop at Sainsbury's regularly and want an Avios top-up without paying for a dedicated Avios card, the Nectar Amex is a genuinely useful card. The 20,000-point welcome bonus alone converts to 20,000 Avios — enough for a return short-haul European flight off-peak.
If you don't travel
Nectar still works well as a simple grocery reward. The Nectar Amex gives you 1% back at Sainsbury's and Argos — equivalent to a cashback card specifically for those stores. If you do a big weekly Sainsbury's shop, those points add up to meaningful free groceries over time.
Key insight
Download the Nectar app and check it before every Sainsbury's shop. The personalised bonus offers — often 5x, 10x, or 15x on products you already buy — are where the real value is. Without them, Nectar is a modest 0.5p-per-point scheme. With them, it can be significantly better.
How to earn Nectar points
Sainsbury's shopping
1 point per £1Earn 1 Nectar point per £1 spent in Sainsbury's stores and online. The Nectar app adds personalised bonus offers on specific products — often 5x, 10x, or even 15x on things you already buy. Always check before shopping.
Nectar American Express card
1 point per £5 (general) / 2 per £1 (Sainsbury's & Argos)The Nectar Amex earns 1 Nectar point per £5 on everyday spending everywhere, and 2 Nectar points per £1 at Sainsbury's and Argos. At 0.5p per point, the everyday rate works out at 0.1p per £1 — equivalent to 0.1% cashback on general spend, but 1% back at Sainsbury's and Argos. Welcome bonus: 20,000 Nectar points (worth £100 at Sainsbury's).
Argos
1 point per £1Earn Nectar points on Argos purchases in-store and online. Good for larger household purchases — a £200 Argos order earns 200 points (£1 of value), which isn't exciting but is passive.
eBay
Varies by sellerLink your Nectar account to eBay to earn points on eligible purchases. The rate varies and not all sellers participate. Check at checkout before assuming you'll earn.
BP fuel stations
1 point per £1Earn at BP petrol stations in the UK. Useful if you drive regularly and have a BP nearby.
Sainsbury's bonus events
Up to 15x on selected productsThe app regularly offers double, triple, or much higher multipliers on specific products. These promotions are where real Nectar value is generated. Shopping strategically during events can dramatically boost your balance.
The Nectar American Express card
The Nectar Amex is one of the most underrated cards for Sainsbury's shoppers. No annual fee, a strong welcome bonus, and everyday Nectar earning on all spending.
Annual fee
None
Welcome bonus
20,000 points
Earn at Sainsbury's & Argos
2 pts per £1
Earn everywhere else
1 pt per £5
Welcome bonus value
£100 at Sainsbury's
Welcome bonus as Avios
20,000 Avios
The 1% back comparison
At Sainsbury's and Argos, the Nectar Amex earns 2 Nectar points per £1. At 0.5p per point, that's exactly 1p per £1 — identical to a 1% cashback card. The difference is you're earning Nectar points rather than cash, which you can either spend in Sainsbury's or convert to Avios. On general everyday spending (outside Sainsbury's and Argos), the card earns 1 point per £5 (0.1p per £1 — effectively 0.1% back), so it's only worth using elsewhere if you're accumulating for Avios or you don't have a better card for that spend.
How to redeem Nectar points
Avios conversion
0.5p+ per point (plus Avios value)Convert Nectar points into Avios at a 1:1 rate (minimum 400 points = 400 Avios). Since Avios are worth ~1p–2p+ on flights, this effectively multiplies your Nectar value. This is the best use of Nectar points if you travel — convert when you have enough for a meaningful flight redemption.
Sainsbury's grocery spend
0.5p per pointUse Nectar points at the Sainsbury's checkout to reduce your bill. Straightforward, 0.5p per point. Best used during a big shop or when you've accumulated a large balance. Not thrilling but reliable.
Argos purchases
0.5p per pointRedeem toward Argos purchases. Good for household items, gifts, or tech. Same 0.5p per point — no uplift compared to Sainsbury's but useful flexibility.
Nectar Experiences
Variable — occasionally goodSeasonal leisure and experience redemptions via the Nectar app. Value varies significantly. Check the app periodically — occasionally good deals appear on days out, but it's inconsistent.
Redeeming without strategy
0.5p per point — missed upsideSpending Nectar points without checking for bonus events or Avios conversion first is leaving value behind. The app's personalised offers are where the real value hides — always check before your next shop.
Converting Nectar to Avios
Nectar points convert to Avios at 1:1, with a minimum transfer of 400 points. This is the single highest-value use of Nectar points for most people.
What 10,000 Nectar points gets you
- At Sainsbury's checkout£50 off groceries
- Converted to Avios10,000 Avios
- 10,000 Avios used for a flight~£100–£200 of flight value
When to convert vs spend
If you have a specific flight in mind and have the Avios balance to cover it, converting Nectar to Avios makes clear sense. If you don't fly regularly, the grocery redemption is simpler and still represents good value. Never convert small amounts to Avios unless you have enough for a real redemption — Avios under ~5,000 are rarely worth it on their own.
Updated April 2026 — subject to change. Nectar point values, earn rates, conversion ratios, and partner lists can change at any time. Always verify the current rates via the Nectar app or nectar.com before making decisions. Not financial advice. See affiliate disclosure.