Record number of loyalty points used in December

More Fly Buys points than ever were spent this Christmas, according to new data from Loyalty New Zealand.  

The figures show Fly Buys customers redeemed more than $11 million worth of rewards during December for presents, food, travel and other festive expenses, the highest ever recorded for the month of December.

Over 52 million points were used for products or services, up eight percent on December 2013. The retail value of these products was over $11.3 million.

Spending patterns mirrored those of the retail sector, with a rush on redemptions coming in later than the year before.

Loyalty New Zealand CEO Stephen England-Hall says using points in lieu of cash was a strategy for some to spend less over the festive season, and for others, a way acquire goods and services they wouldn’t usually buy.

"More than 128,000 products were exchanged for Fly Buys points in December.

“New World gift cards were the most popular items purchased, followed by alcohol, domestic flights and Annabel Langbein’s latest cookbook, which is clearly a hit Christmas gift.

“It’s not surprising – Christmas is the time when we eat well, go on holiday and gift to others. Many Fly Buys customers choose to use their Fly Buys points to pay for those extras,” he says.

‘We have over 2.3 million active members with varying points balances. The rewards guide offers a range that’s accessible to most."

Contact: Melody Brass, Sputnik, 04 801 9485 or melody@sputnik.co.nz.