Money Moral Dilemma: Is it fair to keep the loyalty points from doing my neighbour’s shopping?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks…

I help a housebound, 82‑year‑old neighbour by doing his weekly shop. He’s got no smartphone and no idea how supermarket loyalty schemes work, so I use my own app when buying his groceries at the same store I use for my family. The rewards only add up to a few quid a month – less than my petrol costs as I usually make a separate trip, so I feel it’s fair to keep them. Telling him about the scheme would only confuse him, and splitting the benefit would be a real faff. Am I morally justified in keeping the rewards?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are sent in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

🤝 If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
🤔 Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.
👀 View past Money Moral Dilemmas.

Emmia

Loyalty schemes can also give a discount on some products, so depending on what you're buying he may already be better off by your use of a loyalty card.

If you tell him, he might just see it as a form of recompense for your efforts - which is costing him nothing.

JGB1955

My husband is in this exact situation - he keeps the loyalty points, no question.

liselle

As above, no question

Bigfra46

Don't see how it's an issue. Claim the loyalty points, you do the shopping. Your saving OAP taxi fares or delivery charges.

neilied

I know someone who uses Tesco for business fuel. He claims the fuel costs but uses his Clubcard. His company has never picked up on it and he swaps points for cruise credit and get great value hols a few times a year and food and drink credit

peterft

I've been doing the same for years now. My neighbour is grateful I help her by getting her weekly shop delivered.

2702

Agree with everyone.

Jodo

I don’t really see any moral issue here. The elderly neighbour benefits from the loyalty card prices, and you get a few points for your trouble. I am sure he is grateful you do his shopping and would probably tell you to keep the reward points if he was aware.

SStitanic

morally you’re absolutely in the wrong, because it’s theft, if you want to do the right thing “morally” then just tell him, like you say he’s confused, just blab it out along with got you the tomatoes, he won’t even register it and morally you will absolutely be in the right. You don’t have to sit down and explain it to him once you speak it you have morally done the right thing. Then carry on as you were.

retired19

No problem with this