Pruhealth gym loophole Article Discussion

TooNice_2

Alright, I am still in between Boots and Pruhealth.

Pro Boots:
- Free basic health and eye check. Combined worth up to £45 (though as little as £25 given that you can get free eye checks).
Question: Is this repeated yearly, or a one off for signing up?
- 80 Exclusive Vitality point (30 to join Health Club, 50 per year for the eye tests)

Con Boots:
- 0845 numbers (I don't have a land line I readily use and it's costly on mobile).

Pro of Pruhealth:
- Better communication channel: 0800 number (free with Skype). Can contact via online chat.
- £85 cashback IF you are successful.

Con with Pruhealth:
- Cashback take a long time to claim, and it sounds like it's hit or miss.
- Miss on 80 Boot exclusive Vitality points (30 one off for the Health Club, and 50 per year for the eye tests)

Potential tie breaker:

On the Pruhealth Vitality table, there is a section called Personal Goals with two subsections, one called 'Lifestyle personal goal', and the other called 'Health personal goal'. This is missing from the Boot Vitality table. I am guessing that it's probably present on both, but the Pruhealth file (dated 08/2008) was quicker to update than the Boot file (10/2007). But I just want a confirmation.

bachgammon

Hi folks

TooNice: I had never thought of using Skype to make my 0800 number calls. Great tip!

Punkypickle: I would definitely suggest getting the £85 by going to Pru direct and getting cashback. Quidco (my cashback site) has always worked for me. I use a specific browser for my cashback sites (Internet Explorer rather than the usual Firefox) and make sure I empty existing cookies from it before I log into Quidco. I have earned £60 this year through Quidco and I have Pruhealth still to come.

Question: Can I get Advantage card points if I sign up for a Boots health check (to boost my Vitality)? I can't find health checks on the Boots website at all!

Regards
Rick

QQuaver

TooNice wrote: »

Free basic health and eye check. Combined worth up to £45 (though as little as £25 given that you can get free health checks).
Question: Is this repeated yearly, or a one off for signing up?

I think it was one per year. Basic health screen seems to give 200 points. I've never done it, I have the voucher, but couldn't be bothered. Somehow, once I hit Platinum, willpower wilted
http://www.vitalitypointsguide.com/

On the Pruhealth Vitality table, there is a section called Personal Goals with two subsections, one called 'Lifestyle personal goal', and the other called 'Health personal goal'. This is missing from the Boot Vitality table.

I have it on my Boots.

QQuaver

bachgammon wrote: »

I can't find health checks on the Boots website at all!

Regards
Rick

It seems to be gone, but you can always phone them up (or email?).

punkypickle

QQuaver wrote: »

It seems to be gone, but you can always phone them up (or email?).

If you go to Vitality points on the left, at the bottom is the Boots vitality points.pdf if you download it the health check is listed on it at the very top.

The boots health check is done at selected Boots stores (in the FAQ section)

Hope that helps!

punkypickle

bachgammon wrote: »

Punkypickle: I would definitely suggest getting the £85 by going to Pru direct and getting cashback.

Thanks Rick but I already signed up with Boots.

I am with Quidco, but with boots you don't have to pay for the health check (£25 on the normal pruhealth scheme) and you get a free eye check (£25 usually). And you get a few more points at the start with Boots. I know I'm losing out on a little bit of money, but I need more points from the start on my mission to get to Platinium asap!

punkypickle

Right guys n gals, here's my plan of action.
I'm on the Boots Policy, single premium. Aim to join Virgin Active when I reach Gold status. I've been realistic with gym/fitbug usage (for me) Obviously the guys won't be getting a Pap...
Sorry it's longwinded..I've got in on an excel doc but don't know how to upload it..Hope it all helps!!:money:

Month 1 (Bronze status)

Boots Health Check= 200 pts
Boots Eye Exam= 25pts
Non-smoker declaration= 150 ots
Meal plan online=50pts
Sainsbury's (£20 a week)=40pts
Fitness Assessment= 300pts
Personal Health Review=100pts
Read articles online=30 pts
Stress assessment=50pts
Login at start=50pts
Join Boots Health Club=30pts
Pap smear=150pts
Fitbug 3x 10pts=30pts
Ebay= 40pts

---

TOTAL=1245pts

M2 (Silver status)
Read articles=30pts
Sainsbury's= 40pts
Ebay=40pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts

---

TOTAL=1375pts

M3
Read=30pts
Sainsbury's=40pts
Ebay=40pts (reached yearly limit)
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts

---

TOTAL=1505

M4 (GOLD status)Join gym at £29 a month
Read=30pts
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=1627

M5
Read=30pts
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=1749

M6
Read=30pts
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=1871

M7(not including additonal maintainance/improvement tests)
Read=20pts (reached yearly limit)
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts
Meal plan=50pts
Fitness Assessment=300pts
Stress Assessment=50pts

---

TOTAL=2383pts

M8 (Platinum reached) Gym now £15 a month:money:
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=2475pts

M9
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=2567

M10
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=2659

M11
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=2751pts

M12
Sainsbury's (£16 a week)=32pts
Fitbug 2x10pts=20pts
Gym (once a week)=40pts

---

TOTAL=2843pts


In Year2 I can look forward to 100% off my premium (not inc inflation with age etc) and I keep my platinum status at the gym and I get 10% of my points carried over so I start with 284pts (if I reach my intended total)

Also thinking of getting a Polar computer so I can gain more points by whizzing round sainsburys trying to get the fruit n veg and doing the housework! :rotfl:

TooNice_2

I've heard conflicting things about earning the Gym + Fitness points.

On the Pruhealth it states: 'Please note that you can earn a maximum of 10 Vitality points a day, up to 150 Vitality points a month for any combination of gym, Fitbug and Polar activities.' - Implying that I would be capped at 150 per month no matter what I do.

On the Boots PDF file it states: 'Members can earn a maximum of 10 points per day for gym and Fitbug (pedometer) activities combined.'. Implying that I could potentially earn up to 300 points in a 30 days month if I alternate between Gym and walking/jogging. This makes a pretty big difference - though I don't expect to get 300 a months, I am pretty sure that I can alternate about 20-25 times between gym and walking sessions per month.

Has anyone with Pruhealth managed to hit more than 150 points per month?

I remember that someone mentioned elsewhere on this thread that it is possible to get over 150 points by alternating gym and fitbug, but I am not sure if said individual is joining from Pruhealth or Boots.

punkypickle

I would phone up Boots to confirm, as I reckon their website is maybe out of date...

I think it's all going to be the same scheme whether it's through Boots or Pru as they're the same thing after all...

I'm still waiting for my membership card to come through, then I can tell you exactly what it says when I get it, I applied on Friday, and nothing yet, so I hope it hurries up as I want to crack on with getting those points!

Someone on here somewhere said that when he spoke to them they said that they are scrapping the 15 limit cap, but again, I'd ask boots.

I haven't asked as there's no way I'd reach the limit! I'm just too lazy!:rotfl: :rotfl:

TooNice_2

I found the answer to my own question by asking Pruhealth directly, and can confirm what some people have said elsewhere in the thread: you can gain more than 150 points per month if by using a alternating Fitbug and Gym attendance on different days.