Waitrose owner John Lewis Partnership is making changes to its Partnership Credit Card, reducing the number of points customers earn when spending outside of its own stores.

From 1 August, cardholders will earn one point for every £10 spent at other retailers, down from the current rate of one point per £4, reported The Guardian. Each point is worth 1p and converts into vouchers to spend at John Lewis or Waitrose.

The change means customers will now have to spend more, or wait longer, to earn the same value in gift vouchers when shopping outside the group.

However, the reward rate for spending in John Lewis or Waitrose will remain the same at five points per £4 spent, which equates to £1.25 in vouchers for every £100 spent in-store.

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To soften the blow, the retailer said it would boost rewards for loyal customers during August. For the next three years, shoppers will get triple points in-store and double points online at johnlewis.com throughout the month.

A spokesperson said: “These changes enable us to invest in the rewards that are most valued by our customers, alongside a new bonus to help customers earn additional points throughout August.”

The partnership said the card still comes with other perks, such as double-points promotions, competitions, and partner offers, and it plans to add more in future. Cardholders unhappy with the changes can choose to close their account, the retailer added.

The move brings the card’s external spend rewards more in line with those from other major grocers, such as Sainsbury’s Nectar Credit Card and Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Card.

This is also not the first time John Lewis has reduced rewards on general spending. In 2020, the card’s earn rate for non-partner purchases was halved from one point per £2 to one per £4.