u3a

Thorley

u3a Shopping Discounts Scheme

The u3a Trust are delighted to launch u3a Friends Extra - a new range of benefits, offers and services exclusively for members of the u3a Friends community. The benefits include discounts for shopping, travel, insurance and more. Friends Extra is exclusively available to anyone who signs-up to receive the u3a Friends Newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter here: Subscribe to the Newsletter

After subscribing to the Newsletter you can access the Friends Extra website to create your account Friends Extra website

u3a member Val has created a tutorial for us demonstrating how to use the website. Watch the video now on our YouTube channel - and find more information on our website.

Notes From Your Thorley Committee

Scheme Management

The u3a Shopping Discounts Scheme (u3a Friends Extra) is managed by Parliament Hill Ltd. for the u3a Trust.
Thorley u3a committee has nothing to do with the scheme or its management.
If you use the scheme, any queries must be addressed to Parliament Hill Ltd.
Contact Parliament Hill: by email to u3a@parliament-hill.co.uk or by phone on 0333 200 1981

  • The scheme allows you to buy Gift Cards at a discount. Either physical cards or eCards delivered by e-mail.
  • There is a postal delivery charge of £1.88 on physical gift cards, or 1.88% on a card with a value £100.00. So the headline rate of savings is not achieved.
  • Small value cards can actually lose you money after charges. eg. £50 John Lewis card, saving of £1 (@2%), charges are £1.88
  • Delivery charges are less, at £0.25 on eCards, delivered to you via e-mail
  • Most cards will have an expiry date on them. Always check the expiry dates.
  • If a company goes into liquidation, you can lose the value of the card.
  • If you lose a card it's like losing cash.
  • The scheme is most beneficial when used for larger value purchases, where the charges become less significant.
  • Payment by Debit card only, not Credit cards

HMRC Gift Aid

"The u3a Trust has taken professional advice and received clear and succinct advice in writing that the benefit of Friends and Friends Extra does not affect u3as’ eligibility to claim Gift Aid.  This is because the opportunity to join Friends is open to anyone, not just u3a members, and is free of charge."