South Africans take loyalty cards seriously. We love a good discount, a cashback reward, or anything that helps the monthly budget behave itself. But the admin? The stack of cards in your wallet? The faded barcodes? The “I swear it was here earlier” scramble at the till?
Nobody loves that part.
That’s why digital loyalty card libraries are gaining traction. They promise a simpler way to keep all your loyalty cards in one place – without the clutter. One of the newest options is Store(my)Cards, a once-off R29 loyalty card app for South African shoppers that lets you load and organise your loyalty cards on your phone.
We tested it and here’s our honest take:
The upsides: Where this app genuinely helps shoppers
1.It declutters your life immediately
Most people carry far more loyalty cards than they realise. Even a neat shopper ends up juggling 6–12 cards across groceries, pharmacies, fashion stores, fuel, pets, books, sport – you name it.
Store(my)Cards turns that pile into one clean, scrollable digital wallet organiser.
No digging. No rummaging. No “please hold on, I’m just finding it.”
It’s a simple way to organise loyalty cards for your everyday shopping without the bulk. And this alone makes the app worth considering.
2.It speeds up checkout – especially when you’re flustered or in a hurry
One quick tap shows your barcode. It scans cleanly at most tills.
You move along. The queue thanks you. Your stress levels stay civilised.
3.It helps you use your loyalty cards more consistently
Here’s the simple truth behind loyalty savings: You only earn loyalty points or rewards when you remember to use the card.
Digitising them removes the biggest barrier – forgetting the thing at home or in the car.
More consistent use means more points, discounts, or cashback rewards.
This is especially helpful for households trying to stretch every rand without changing their whole lifestyle.
4.It encourages smart shopping habits
The more organised your routine, the easier it becomes to make value-driven choices:
- Loyalty card + store offers
- Plus your bsmart card for combined buying power and cashback rewards.
Suddenly your “normal shopping” becomes a smart-shopping system and a way to get the Better Price.
5.Your phone is always with you – so your cards are too
You already carry your phone everywhere. That means your loyalty cards can go wherever you do – no more forgotten cards, no more missed rewards.
It’s one less thing to remember, and one more way to shop smarter.
6.You can share your card with someone else – and still earn the rewards
Need someone else to do the shopping? No problem. Store(my)Cards lets you share your loyalty card via WhatsApp, SMS or email. That means your partner, friend, or family member can scan your card at the till – and you still earn the points, discounts or cashback rewards.
It’s a smart way to keep the savings flowing, even when you’re not the one doing the buying.
The downsides: Because no app is perfect
1.It won’t fix very old, damaged, or outdated cards
Some older cards (think pre-2015 barcode formats) simply don’t scan well.
If your card is ancient, you may need to request an updated one from the retailer before the app can recognise it.
2.Not every retailer accepts digital loyalty barcodes
The majority of the big chains do. Some smaller stores don’t. And a few require their own official app instead of third-party apps.
So, the experience ranges from seamless to “please swipe the physical card.”
3.It can’t replace cards that need a physical swipe
This is important for bsmart members to remember: bsmart still requires a physical swipe at partner tills, so this app won’t replace your bsmart card (at least not yet).
But it works alongside it: store loyalty cards in the app, and your bsmart card in your wallet.
4.It’s simple – maybe too simple for some
If you’re expecting advanced budgeting, price comparisons, or deep analytics…this app isn’t trying to be that.
It’s a wallet organiser, not a financial tool.
So, is it worth the R29 once-off?
If you’re a regular shopper with a handful of loyalty cards, yes – it’s a cheap, tidy fix for everyday convenience.
If you’re someone who relies heavily on loyalty savings to stretch the monthly budget, it’s even more useful. For just R29 once-off, it’s a lightweight cashback rewards app that pays off in everyday life.
If you only have one or two loyalty cards… you probably won’t need it.
And if your cards are older than some of your household appliances, the app will not magically revive them. (It might be time to upgrade those.)
Where does bsmart fit into this picture?
While bsmart still uses physical cards for cashback earning, apps like Store(my)Cards support a more efficient shopping routine:
- You keep your store loyalty cards neatly digitised
- You earn those store-specific rewards easily
- You swipe your bsmart card on the same purchase to earn bsmart cashback rewards
Over time, the combined value adds up quietly but meaningfully.
It’s all about enhancing the way you shop overall.
Where to find the app (if you want to try it yourself)
Store(my)Cards is available on both major app stores:
The basic version is free, and you only pay the once-off R29 if you want to load more than one card. No subscriptions, no monthly fees.
Final take: A small upgrade that makes everyday shopping feel lighter
For many South Africans, financial stress comes from dozens of little friction points – queues, admin, forgotten cards, missed rewards, scattered routines.
A small tool like this, can reduce that friction and make everyday life feel just a bit smoother.
Store(my)Cards isn’t a miracle app.
It’s not flashy.
But it’s honest, affordable, and practical in everyday life.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what a smart shopper needs.