El Corte Inglés membership card: is it worth it?
An analysis of the El Corte Inglés membership card: perks like free parking and online shipping, but it is a credit card with fee risks.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The El Corte Inglés card: the fake discount hiding a line of credit
The El Corte Inglés membership card is, above all, a credit card. Anyone expecting magical discounts is in for a disappointment: the benefits are real, but limited. The main draw is free parking at its stores, though with a minimum spend of 35 euros. For online shopping, it offers free shipping from 100 euros, compared with the 130 euros required without the card.
On the plus side: no maintenance fees, as long as you pay in full at the end of the month. There are two versions: the classic (old) one and the modern one, managed by Santander; the latter keeps pushing customers to switch, but offers no extra perks for those who avoid financing purchases.
On the minus side: the risk of spending more than necessary just for the parking or the shipping. And there are alternatives: IKEA Family, for example, gives away coffee, air conditioning and sofas to rest on, with no purchase required.
So, is it worth it?
For those who visit El Corte Inglés regularly and pay in full every month, the card can pay off through free parking and shipping. But be careful: it is easy to fall into the credit temptation. Interest and financing fees can devour any savings. The recommendation: use it only as a debit card, ignore the credit offers and, if you lack self-control, better skip the plastic altogether.
The El Corte Inglés membership card is, above all, a credit card. Anyone expecting magical discounts is in for a disappointment: the benefits are real, but limited. The main draw is free parking at its stores, though with a minimum spend of 35 euros. For online shopping, it offers free shipping from 100 euros, compared with the 130 euros required without the card.
On the plus side: no maintenance fees, as long as you pay in full at the end of the month. There are two versions: the classic (old) one and the modern one, managed by Santander; the latter keeps pushing customers to switch, but offers no extra perks for those who avoid financing purchases.
On the minus side: the risk of spending more than necessary just for the parking or the shipping. And there are alternatives: IKEA Family, for example, gives away coffee, air conditioning and sofas to rest on, with no purchase required.
So, is it worth it?
For those who visit El Corte Inglés regularly and pay in full every month, the card can pay off through free parking and shipping. But be careful: it is easy to fall into the credit temptation. Interest and financing fees can devour any savings. The recommendation: use it only as a debit card, ignore the credit offers and, if you lack self-control, better skip the plastic altogether.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (18 replies).
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