FlyBuys card (Australia)

FlyBuys is a prominent Australian loyalty program operated by Loyalty Pacific, a joint venture of Coles Group and National Australia Bank. It has been suggested that Loyalty program cashback be merged into this article or section. ... Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ...

About 2.7 million Australian households are active members of FlyBuys^[1] , using about six million cards^[2]. Members collect points from household consumer purchases (and through credit card use) and subsequently exchange points for flights, shopping vouchers and a range of other rewards.

History

FlyBuys began in 1994 as a joint venture of Shell, Coles Myer (now Coles Group) and National Australia Bank. The program met with substantial interest at launch, with a million Australian households joining within the first six weeks.^[3] Royal Dutch Shell PLC is a multinational oil company of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest energy corporations in the world, and one of the six supermajors (vertically integrated private-sector oil exploration, natural gas, and petroleum product marketing companies). ... Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ...

Telecom Australia (now Telstra) joined the program in 1995 but withdrew after two years, having created the Telstra Visa Card with ANZ (later to become the ANZ Qantas Telstra Visa Card). Telstra Corporation (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications company under private ownership, holding a dominant position in landline telephone services, large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access and Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite and ADSL services... The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited; ASX: ANZ, NZX: ANZ, NYSE: ANZ), commonly called ANZ, is the third largest bank in Australia, after the National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth Bank. ... Qantas (pronounced ) is the name and callsign of the worlds second oldest continuously running independent airline behind Avianca. ... Telstra Corporation (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications company under private ownership, holding a dominant position in landline telephone services, large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access and Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite and ADSL services... Visa or VISA has several meanings: Look up visa in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Visa (document) — a document required to enter a specific country. ...

In 1996, Loyalty Pacific licensed the FlyBuys brand to a consortium in New Zealand, which has operated a similar program since (see Fly Buys (New Zealand)).

In 1998, major changes were made to the program. The offer to members was diluted as the points currency was devalued to increase points required for rewards 20-fold (from a minimum 550 points to 11,000), but standard points issuance only increased four-fold (from 1 point for $20 to 1 point for $5). At the same time, Shell relinquished its one-third ownership of the program, although this was unnoticed by members as Shell continued to issue points through its service station network. Royal Dutch Shell PLC is a multinational oil company of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest energy corporations in the world, and one of the six supermajors (vertically integrated private-sector oil exploration, natural gas, and petroleum product marketing companies). ...

In 2003, the program was revamped, this time with the offer improved for members, with standard points issuance increased to 2 points for $5. This change was accompanied by revised branding and a minor name change from “Fly Buys” to “FlyBuys”.

Collecting points

FlyBuys points collection is directed largely at regular consumer purchases, and most points are issued by the major Coles Group brands – food (Coles Supermarkets and BI-LO), fuel (Coles Express), discount department stores (Kmart and Target), liquor (Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and 1st choice liquor), stationery / office supplies (Officeworks) and car servicing (Kmart Tyre & Auto Service). Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Coles Supermarkets are an Australian supermarket chain owned by Coles Group. ... In Australia, BI-LO was established by John Weekes in Adelaide during the late 1970s. ... Typical Coles Express It should be possible to replace this fair use image with a free one. ... Kmart store at Kurralta Park in Adelaides western suburbs. ... Target Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian company that operates the 250-store Target department store chain. ... Officeworks is an Australian office supplies store, which was established in the early 1990s by Coles Myer. ... Kmart store at Kurralta Park in Adelaides western suburbs. ...

Additional points can be collected from transactions on selected NAB credit cards or the Coles Myer Source MasterCard (issued by GE Australia) if they have been “linked” to a FlyBuys membership. This allows in some circumstances for points to be gained from two sources for the one transaction. Eg if a member pays for grocery purchases at Coles Supermarkets with a NAB credit card, each of Coles and NAB would issue points for the one transaction. The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ... GE Money is the direct-to-consumer financial services arm of General Electric, one of the largest companies in the world. ... Coles Supermarkets are an Australian supermarket chain owned by Coles Group. ... The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ... Coles Supermarkets are an Australian supermarket chain owned by Coles Group. ... The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ...

Several brands not associated with the joint venture also issue FlyBuys points, including Best Western, Budget Rent a Car, Jetset Travelworld, EziBuy (which purchased a former Coles Myer brand, Myer Direct) and Myer (having been sold by Coles Myer (now Coles Group) in June 2006). Myer has signalled its intention to leave FlyBuys at the end of January 2007. ^[4] Best Western is the worlds largest hotel chain, with nearly 4,000 hotels in nearly 80 countries. ... Smart Fortwo rental from Budget Budget Rent a Car is a car rental company that was founded in 1958 in Los Angeles, California by Morris Mirkin. ... Coles Myer Limited is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Myer Emporium, Melbourne flagship store. ... Coles Myer Limited is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Myer Emporium, Melbourne flagship store. ...

In most cases points accrue at the rate of 2 for every $5 spent. The participating retailers also issue additional bonus points on a promotional basis. Points have a life of 3 years. ISO 4217 Code AUD User(s) Australia, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island Inflation 4% (Australia only) Source Reserve Bank of Australia, June 2006 Pegged by Tuvaluan dollar at par Superunit 1000 grand Subunit 1/100 cent Symbol $ or AUD cent ¢ Coins ¢5, ¢10, ¢20...

Former participants include Michael Hill Jewellers and Elders Real Estate. Others such as Red Rooster and Katies, were businesses divested by Coles Myer now Coles Group. Traveland, Megamart and Pulse Energy are now-defunct businesses which were once FlyBuys participants, while Sports Direct, Primary Layers, South Cape and Gifts To Go were short-lived brands long discontinued by Coles Group. Elders Limited is an Australian based agribusiness company. ... For other uses, see Red Rooster (disambiguation). ... Coles Myer Limited is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... Megamart was an Australian chain of stores owned by Coles Myer which sold electrical and furniture items. ... Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ...

Rewards

Initially, the only FlyBuys rewards were flights. However, this was extended by 1996 to include other rewards with a travel or leisure theme, such as accommodation, meals and entertainment. By 1999, a $100 Coles Myer shopping voucher reward was introduced, and general merchandise items followed.

Criticism

FlyBuys has been consistently criticised regarding the perceived effort required to collect enough points to gain a reward. (eg. see ^[5]). For many years, no rewards were available for less than 11,000 points, encouraging critics to claim that $55,000 was required to be spent to gain a reward with a value of around $100.

In recent times, lower point rewards have been available. In November 2006, FlyBuys announced that awards would be available from 2,500 points^[6].

FlyBuys also attracted concerns regarding privacy of information and the ability for the operators to track members’ shopping habits (eg. see^[7]). However in 1995 FlyBuys adopted a stringent privacy policy based on existing OECD principles (and which closely mirrored Australian privacy legislation which was eventually introduced in 2000). FlyBuys did vary its privacy policy in 2006 which enabled information to be passed to Coles Group and National Australia Bank, the owners of the program, unless directed otherwise by members.^[8] Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) is an Australian public company which operates a number of retail chains. ... The National Australia Bank or nab (ASX: NAB, LSE: NAB, NYSE: NAB, TYO: 8637 ) colloquially the National or the NAB. The NAB is part of the NAB Group it is the largest bank in Australia and 28th largest in the world. ...

Notes

2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Loyalty card

In marketing generally and in retailing more specifically, a loyalty card, rewards card, points card, or club card is a plastic card, visually similar to a credit card or debit card, that identifies the card holder as a member in a commercial incentives programme. ...

External links

• FlyBuys (Australia) website
• FlyBuys forum at frequentflyer.com.au