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Asda AXES key discount card for millions of workers leaving shoppers furious
It comes after it made a similar change last year
ASDA has announced plans to axe its Blue Light Card discount for millions of workers.
The major supermarket said customers who work as firefighters, ambulance drivers and teachers will no longer be able to get a special discount in stores.
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The supermarket quietly posted the update online, stating that from May 27 the service would cease.
It read: "Asda’s partnership with Blue Light Card is coming to an end on May 27 2025.
"From 13th May 2025 11:00 Blue Light Card members will no longer be able to link their Blue Light Card Membership to their Asda Rewards Account. "
It added: "Any accounts linked before this date will continue to receive the exclusive member offer as detailed in the Terms & Conditions until 27th May 2025 23:59, at which point the offer will be removed."
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Some shoppers have blasted the move, with one sharing: "Asda really aren't selling themselves anymore with their rewards scheme."
While a second said: "In other words thanks for all you do but we don't give a damn about it anymore, it's happening a lot lately."
And a third said: "Not worth shopping there recently, rewards went really down hill."
A fourth even threatened to change supermarkets, writing: "Might be time to change supermarkets! The rewards have gone significantly downhill over the last two years."
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Blue Light also send an email out to customers, sharing the news.
It read: "Asda is making broad changes to its strategy and overall approach to value and pricing for its customers, and because of this change in strategy, Asda's discount for Blue Light Card holders is ending two weeks from now, on Tuesday, 27th May.
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"This change is one of several adjustments Asda is making across its business as it implements its new everyday pricing approach.
"You can continue using the current offer for the next two weeks, up to and including Tuesday, 27th May."
An Asda spokesperson said: “We launched our partnership with Blue Light Card during the pandemic to provide additional support for emergency workers and would like to thank them for the opportunity to work with them during the last five years."
"Our focus now is on providing all our customers with outstanding value every time they visit our stores or shop with us online.”
Asda was the only UK supermarket to have a partnership with Blue Light Card.
Last April, Asda said that Blue Light card holders who shop in the stores would receive less back in their Asda Rewards Cashpot.
At the time, Asda confirmed Blue Light Card holders would only receive 5% instead of 10% off fresh food, including meat, fish fruit and veg, fresh fruit juice and smoothies, dairy and bakery.
Shoppers were equally frustrated at the time, branding the move "ridiculous".
CHANGES AT ASDA
It comes amid a period of change for the major supermarket.
At the start of the year, the firm axed its Aldi price match scheme and launched a new "Rollback" scheme which saw it reduce the cost of over 4,000 products.
To entice customers, the firm also said it would cut the price of petrol by 4p to rival other supermarkets.
It comes as the store has been battling a more than £3billion debt pile following its takeover by the billionaire brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa's EG Group.
Asda's latest financial figures show that the supermarket’s total revenue declined by 0.8% to £21.7bn in the 2024 financial year.
WHAT IS THE BLUE LIGHT CARD
The Blue Light Card offers exclusive discounts to a range of workers.
You can grab discounts on clothes, holidays, insurance and cars.
It can be used across thousands of restaurants, shops and venues.
All in all, there are 15,000 discounts to choose from.
You can buy a physical copy of the card for £4.99 or a digital card is free.
Once you've got one it lasts two years.
You can use the digital card by downloading the Blue Light Card app via Google Play or the App Store.
It has a useful interactive map feature to help you find local discounts closest to your chosen location too.
You can also keep tabs on how much you've saved with the card which is useful if you're looking to budget ahead of Christmas.
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The money-saving card was launched in 2008 and now features a number of partners, including Apple, and Alton Towers.
You can read more about who qualifies for one by clicking this link. .
How to save at Asda
Shop the budget range
Savvy shopper Eilish Stout-Cairns recommends that shoppers grab items from Asda's Just Essentials range.
She said: "Asda's budget range is easy to spot as it's bright yellow! Keep your eyes peeled for yellow and you'll find their Just Essentials range.
"It's great value and I've found it has a much wider selection of budget items compared to other supermarkets.
Sign up to Asda Rewards
The savvy-saver also presses on the importance of signing up to Asda's reward scheme.
She said: "Asda Rewards is free to join and if you shop at Asda you should absolutely sign up.
"As an Asda Rewards member, you'll get exclusive discounts and offers, and you’ll also be able to earn 10% cashback on Star Products.
"This will go straight into your cashpot, and once you've earned at least £1, you can transfer the money in your cashpot into ASDA vouchers.
We've previously rounded up the best supermarket loyalty schemes - including the ones that will save you the most money.
Look out for booze deals
Eilish always suggests that shoppers looking to buy booze look out for bargain deals.
She said: "Asda often has an alcohol offer on: buy six bottles and save 25%.
"The offer includes selected bottles with red, white and rose options, as well as prosecco. There are usually lots of popular bottles included, for example, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot and Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C.
"Obviously, the more expensive the bottles you choose, the more you save."
Join Facebook groups
The savvy saver also recommends that fans of Asda join Facebook groups to keep in the know about the latest bargains in-store.
Eilish said: "I recommend joining the Latest Deals Facebook Group to find out about the latest deals and new launches in store.
"Every day, more than 250,000 deal hunters share their latest bargain finds and new releases.
"For example, recently a member shared a picture of Asda's new Barbie range spotted in store.
"Another member shared the bargain outdoor plants she picked up, including roses for 47p, blackcurrant bushes for 14p and topiary trees for 14p."
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