Innovation in Payments - Reward Programs, Payment Loyalty and Consumer Attitudes
Summary
The concept of loyalty programs can be traced back over a century, to retailers and gas stations that offered customers stamps based on their spending. The accumulated stamps could be exchanged for a range of gifts from a catalog offered by these businesses. Credit card loyalty schemes have rapidly expanded to include frequent flyer points (air miles); collaborations with retailers; and tiered, increasingly individualized and exclusive benefits that operate across multiple platforms and partners. Ultimately, consumers like being rewarded for their patronage – even if they pay for it.
However, Payment Loyalty programs have lost attractiveness in recent years majorly due to COVID-19 pandemic impact and market saturation. Furthermore, reward programs appeal has diminished in recent years. Whereas points schemes were once the major draw of credit cards, now consumers favor cashback on their purchases.
Innovation in Payments - Reward Programs, Payment Loyalty by Region and Consumer Attitudes report explores trends and innovations in terms of the reward programs offered by banking and payment providers, including an exploration of the various approaches companies are taking across the world
Scope
Alternative payment methods have disrupted the payments space. To address such challenges, credit cards fees have been reduced across the world. However, these reductions mean that issuers have had to scale back their loyalty programs.
The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the travel industry. Consumers who used to be frequent travelers dramatically reduced their spending on big-ticket items such as flight and hotel bookings, meaning that travel benefits became much less appealing.
Due to consumers switching providers repeatedly to maximize short-term benefits, issuers have attached conditions for releasing bonuses, such as reaching specific spending milestones on cards.
Reasons to Buy
Understand current and future trends for card-based reward programs.
Identify key players in the reward program space and learn about their offerings.
Discover consumer preferences and attitudes towards reward programs using GlobalData surveying.
Loyalty Rewards Environment
Loyalty programs have evolved since they were first introduced
Payment loyalty programs have lost attractiveness in recent years
Consumers’ Attitudes Towards Loyalty
Most reward programs are focused around either cashback or points
Cashback is now the most popular value-added benefit
Cashback is the most popular benefit across all regions except Latin America
On a global basis, cashback is the most popular benefit across all age bands
Cashback also leads the way across all affluence bands
Payment Loyalty in the Americas
Chase Ultimate Rewards offers two types of reward cards
American Express Membership Rewards
Other popular reward programs in the US
Travel benefits and cashback are popular in Canada
Reward points are a key feature of loyalty schemes in Mexico
Payment Loyalty in Europe
UK banks offer their own distinct programs
Reward programs remain limited in Europe
European consumers show the least interest in loyalty rewards
Payment Loyalty in Asia-Pacific
Most Australian issuers partner with airlines as part of their loyalty programs
Singapore is a competitive market for credit card rewards
Indians have leapfrogged from payment card to mobile wallet loyalty programs
Market Environment
Debit card rewards are not common and often have conditions attached
Credit card reward programs no longer benefit all consumer segments
Enabling consumers to tailor the rewards they receive will be the next big trend