And these are not "savings" cards. As others have said, they jack up the prices then "lower" them when you use your card (and they farm all your data). They use them to try to force you to come to the store again, they hope you forget to scan your card from time to time so you pay full price, and they make their policies and redemptions so complicated that even the store managers have a hard time figuring it out.

Used to be they were true savings cards. Food Lion used to send you a check quarterly based on how much shopping you did, or send you great coupons like $5 off ANY purchase.

At least some places, Bi-Lo and Kroger, give you gas points which are super easy to keep track of and use.

Then again, every card I have, I make up a fake name for the card so no one can really track me personally.