Living in or visiting London can be expensive. Like most capital cities, sightseeing, eating out, shopping, visiting attractions and theatre trips can be costly, but savings can be made via various discount schemes and cards. The Ace card is one of the cheaper options available to residents and visitors. How does it work, what are the costs and how much can be saved?
What is the Ace Card?
This is a discount card scheme that offers money-saving opportunities within London. A card holder simply shows their card to a participating venue, retailer, attraction or restaurant and will then be given the deal on offer.
How Much Does the Ace London Discount Card Cost?
Current costs quoted on the scheme's website are:
- £19.95 in the UK.
- $31.60 in the U.S.
- €24.83 in Europe.
Each card is valid for one year and can be used as often as the holder wishes.
Where Does an Ace Card Give Discounts in London?
The Ace card can potentially save money in a variety of ways. It gives discounts that could cut the costs of both regular spending for those living in the capital and on events/attractions that may appeal to visitors. Offers are split into:
- Clubs and music (35 venues).
- Health and fitness centres (60 participants).
- Museums, galleries and exhibitions (30 attractions).
- Restaurants (110 participants).
- Shops (45 stores).
- Sports and leisure (20 venues).
- Theatres (60 venues).
The discounts on offer with the card will vary according to the partner company or venue.
Get Two for One Deals, Discounts & Freebies With a London Ace Card
The deals given with an Ace card are generally based around two for one offers and percentage or money off discounts. In some cases, cardholders may alternatively be given something free when they use their card. So, for example, participating restaurants may offer a percentage discount on a bill (between 15-50%) or may give cardholders a free bottle of wine.
Many of the theatre and entertainment offers are based on a two for one basis. Some venues may, however, give money off discounts or half price entry. Shopping usually gives a percentage discount (currently quoted at between 10-20%). Partner stores include some high-street names (such as Toni & Guy and Specsavers in selected locations and Young's Suit Hire) and a range of independent retailers.
Is an Ace Card Worth it?
According to the Ace website, this card will typically pay for itself by the second time it is used. This may, of course, depend on how it is used. A 10% discount in a restaurant may not be worth as much as a two for one deal on West End theatre tickets.
It is worth checking out the deals on offer before buying an Ace card. Although these discounts may save some a lot of money, savings really will depend on how much the card is used. From a tourist/visitor perspective, the card does cover some major attractions/venues but not all and it may be worth comparing this with other schemes to see where the best offers lie.
Visitors to London may also find the following articles useful:
- The London Pass: Discounts on Sightseeing, Travel & Restaurants
- Buckingham Palace Tours: Summer Opening & Ticket Information
- Changing The Guard at Buckingham Palace Schedule & Times
- How to Find Cheap Hotels in London
Source: The ACE Card
Carol Finch - Carol Finch is the Topic Editor for Retirement Planning, Budgeting, E-Commerce & Technical/Business Writing on Suite101.
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