Woolworths launching new rewards programme – with VIP status for anyone who spends over R36,000 a year

The new programme differs from the group’s previous MySchool and WReward loyalty cards, which allocated a percentage of customers’ spending to their chosen causes or gave them access to specials.

While these benefits remain in play, the new programme will also give instant rewards to customers, similar to other major retailer schemes like Pick n Pay’s SmartShopper and Shoprite’s Xtra Savings.

The new programme works through a physical and virtual rewards card. Physical cards can be signed up for and collected in-store, while the virtual card is accessed through the Woolworths app.

However, the group emphasised that to access all MyDifference benefits, customers must download the Woolies App and successfully register for the programme.

Members using only a physical card without linking it to the Woolies app will only receive instant savings on selected items when shopping in-store, on the Woolies app, or online and won’t access personalised or exclusive app-only rewards.

You will automatically become a MyDifference member if you:

• Join MyDifference on the Woolworths App and successfully register for a MyDifference virtual card by creating a profile.
• Have a MyDifference physical card and create a profile by contacting the customer service centre.
• Have a Woolworths Credit Card.
• Have a Woolworths Store Card.

Customers with the Woolworths app will be directed to sign up for the MyDifference rewards programme, which entails entering your ID number and other details to complete a profile.

The group’s terms and conditions outline exactly how the programme will work.

MyDifference offers members guaranteed benefits such as instant savings, a defined number of vouchers per year and Play & Win campaigns based on your reward level. 

“To receive instant savings, vouchers, goals, and Play & Win rewards, swipe or scan your linked physical or virtual MyDifference card during in-store transactions—this also counts toward your reward level,” the group said.

“Make sure your loyalty card is linked to your Woolies online profile, so it’s automatically applied to online purchases.”

The MyDifference card can be scanned at any Woolworths, Country Road, Trenery, Witchery, selected WCafés, NOW NOW, or other partner stores in South Africa.

Reward levels are determined by how much a member spends at Woolworths and its various store brands.

There are three different reward levels, namely Loyal, Ambassador, and VIP.

How the reward levels work

The reward level is calculated based solely on swiping or scanning a linked MyDifference card when shopping. 

The levels carry thresholds of R0, R12,000 and R36,000 a year, but at launch these will be 50%, reflecting the mid-year start.

“All MyDifference members will receive the full loyalty benefits associated with their provisional tier status for the 2025 calendar year,” the group said.

“To retain these benefits, members are required to achieve at least 50% of the qualifying tier spend within a six-month period, starting from the date of tier assignment.”

From 1 January 2026, standard tier thresholds will apply, and members must meet the full spend requirements to maintain or move between tiers.

This is how customers can qualify for each level and the benefits they can expect:

Loyal <R12,000 a year

To get to the Loyal reward level, customers need to spend up to R12,000 per year. Customers can also give back to their linked cause(s) every time they use your MyDifference card, at no cost to them.

Other benefits include:  

• Instant savings;
• Access to the best promos;
• Earn at least 4 vouchers per year; and
• Unlock select Play & Win games.

Ambassador R12,000 o R35,999 a year

To get to the Ambassador reward level, you need to spend from R12,000 to R35,999 per year.

Benefits include:

• Access to all Loyal benefits;
• Earning at least 16 vouchers per year;
• Unlocking all Play & Win games, and
• Get access to shopping goals to earn more rewards.

VIP >R36,000 a year

To get to the VIP reward level, customers need to spend more than R36,000 per year.

VIP benefits include: 

• Access to all Loyal and Ambassador benefits;
• Earning at least 24 vouchers per year;
• Early access to online promos;
• Access to Play & Win bonus games;
• Request extra goals once have achieved your allocated goals; and
• Exclusive invitations to events and more.

Woolworths noted that the annual spend is calculated from the first to the last day of each calendar year and is based on swiping or scanning the MyDifference card.

Upgrades to higher reward levels happen automatically once a customer hits the required spend. Conversely, downgrades only occur once a year.

The new calendar year’s reward level is based on spending from the previous 12 months, with online transactions finalised by 7 January.

Although the programme officially launches in July 2025, tier status should reflect full-year 2024 behaviour.

“All MyDifference members will start on the tier they qualified for based on their 2024 activity—either VIP or Ambassador,” Woolworths said.

WRewards VIPs will retain their status until 31 December 2025, with possible extensions at Woolworths’ discretion.

Notably, Woolworths Black Credit Card holders will automatically be VIP members and retain their VIP status for the first year only.

Woolworths also highlighted certain exclusions for qualifying spend. The following purchases will not be included in the reward level calculation: 

• Woolworths gift card;
• Payment for utility bills;
• The value of products returned to Woolworths;
• Clothing alterations;
• Coffee shop tips;
• Inter-branch product transfers; and
• Delivery fees 

For the Woolworths Food branches at Engen Foodstops, purchases will not count towards the reward level if it is paid with a Woolworths Credit Card unless customers swipe or scan their MyDifference card, Woolworths Store Card or Woolworths Credit Card before completing the transaction. 

Issued on BusinessTech by Staff Writer | https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/830505/woolworths-launching-new-rewards-programme-with-vip-status-for-anyone-who-spends-over-r36000-a-year/