Nandos Loyalty Card Rewards?

[Esmee.]

Hi, I'm a little confused about the Nandos Loyalty Card system in the UK and was wondering if anybody could help me out. I'm visiting on Tuesday and I have 3 green chilies on my card. Does that mean I'm due for a 1/4 reward chicken?

I've searched around on the internet a bit and it seems you're supposed to claim the chicken on the 3rd visit (when you get the 3rd stamp), but surely that means you're paying for your chicken in the first place?

On my 3rd visit, the girl on the till didn't mention anything to do with the card to me when I used it. My order went through as I would expect (I paid around £12 all together, normal for me). When it came to the table I recall the meal being bigger than expected. Do you think its possible the girl put through my normal order, then added a 1/4 chicken on top of it without asking me if I wanted to use it? If so does that mean I've 'wasted' that reward?

Basically what I'm asking is will my next chicken be free, or from your experiences, has the girl used up my reward without me asking for it? I don't visit too often, and get pretty anxious about stuff like this. I hate causing fuss or problems at tills (social anxiety, dont ask). I'm really dreading having a problem there on Tuesday, hence asking you guys in advance.

Thanks.

[Dr. Dave]

Popular Portuguese restaurant chain Nando's is heading into new waters by taking its loyalty scheme online in an effort to hone in on new data-driven marketing opportunities that will help it better target customers.

The brand's loyalty program was overhauled following market research which found that customers kept losing their paper cards and also wanted more reward options.

Nando's traditional paper-based loyalty scheme will be replaced with a card, which diners can swipe in-store as of today, while people have until 30 June 2014 to use their existing rewards on the old paper card that is being phased out.

Customers can now collect chilli credits for every £7 they spend, with a minimum of three needed to redeem a reward. The card links to Nando's mobile app, which has also been overhauled to coincide with the loyalty scheme relaunch. Users can go online to check on their 'Chilli Balance', as well as access the brand's menu, order notepad and restaurant finder.

Meanwhile, the consumer data gathered will be used to send tailored content to customers and expand the types of rewards on offer. Nando's loyalty card is also positioned to steer the brand's marketing activities into new areas.

Additionally, an online portal complementing PR, social media and in-store marketing will be launching in the next few weeks to promote the "widest" range of rewards Nando's has ever offered.