Finding bargains and loyalty clubs worth the data you give

Key rules

• Final price: Compare the total with shipping and check the seller's reputation before you buy.
• Mercadona: Mercadona has no loyalty club, so there is nothing to join.
• Your data: You can refuse marketing, withdraw consent, and ask a company for access to your data or its deletion.
• Outlet discounts: Advertised outlet discounts of roughly 30% to 60% are not guaranteed, so compare with online prices.

Compare the final price, not the headline price

Check three things before you buy online: the final price with shipping, the seller's reputation, and whether the same item is cheaper elsewhere.

• Price comparison sites. Idealo, Google Shopping and Kelkoo list the same product from many shops side by side.
• Deal communities. Chollometro is a Spanish community site where users post discounts and codes. Check that a deal is still live and that the "discount" is real against the usual price.
• Amazon price history. Keepa and CamelCamelCamel show how an Amazon price has moved, so you can tell a real drop from a fake one.
• Cashback and voucher sites. Many people use them, but they track your purchases too. Apply the same data test as for loyalty clubs below.

Site popularity changes, so try two or three and keep the ones that work for you.

Which loyalty clubs are worth it

A club is worth joining when you shop at that chain every week and the discounts are personal and automatic. It is not worth it for a shop you visit twice a year.

Main programmes you will meet:

• El Corte Inglés card and club: points, discounts and financing. Skip the financing unless you have read the terms.
• Carrefour Club: cheques and offers through the app.
• Lidl Plus: coupons in the app. Good for a weekly shop.
• Dia Club: personalised discounts.
• Eroski Club, Alcampo, Decathlon, Sephora and Zara's app: worth it only if you already shop there regularly.

Mercadona has no loyalty club. Its prices are the same for everyone, so there is nothing to join.

What you give in return

Clubs usually collect your name and contact details, an ID number or date of birth, and your purchase history. Some also collect your location and preferences. They use this to target offers.

A simple test: join if the saving is clear and you shop there often. Hesitate if the sign-up asks for more than the discount justifies, such as ID details for a small coupon.

You keep control of your data:

• Refuse marketing messages when you sign up, or later.
• Withdraw your consent at any time.
• Ask the company for a copy of your data or for it to be deleted. If the company does not answer, you can complain to the AEPD.

Programmes and terms change, so read the privacy options before you accept.

Outlet villages

Outlet centres can be worth a trip for brand fashion, mainly during sales periods. Village-type centres advertise discounts of roughly 30% to 60% off recommended prices. These are advertised figures, not guarantees. Compare with the online price before you buy.

The best known are La Roca Village near Barcelona, Las Rozas Village in Madrid and Viladecans The Style Outlets near Barcelona. There are others around Madrid, Málaga, Mallorca and Sevilla. Store lineups and opening hours change, so check before you travel.

The questions below cover some of these points again in short form.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mercadona have a loyalty club?

No, Mercadona has no loyalty club, so there is no card or app to join for its prices. Chains such as Carrefour, Dia, Eroski and Lidl do run clubs with app coupons or personal offers.

What personal data do loyalty clubs collect?

Loyalty clubs usually collect your name, contact details, ID or date of birth and your purchase history, and sometimes your location and preferences. You can refuse marketing, withdraw your consent, and ask the company for access to your data or for it to be deleted. If the company does not respond, you can complain to the AEPD, Spain's data protection agency.

Are outlet villages like La Roca Village worth the trip?

Yes, they are worth a trip mainly for brand fashion in sales periods, because village-type centres advertise roughly 30% to 60% off recommended prices. Those are advertised figures, not guarantees, so compare with online prices before you buy. Las Rozas Village near Madrid is another well-known one.

Which sites help me find the best online price in Spain?

Idealo and Google Shopping compare prices, and Chollometro is a community site for discounts and codes. For Amazon, price trackers such as Keepa show past prices.