Flybuys New Zealand announces closure of popular loyalty program after almost 30 years of operation

A popular New Zealand customer loyalty scheme has announced it will shut down at the end of the year - after almost 30 years of operation.

Flybuys New Zealand will shut down its customer loyalty program at the end of the year, after almost 30 years of operation.

Launched in 1996, the popular rewards scheme boasts millions of members who collect rewards through participating brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Ticketek, Cotton-On and Culture Kings, among others.

In a post on their website, Flybuys New Zealand confirmed the program would close on December 31.

Members are still able to earn points at their partner businesses until 11.59pm on October 31.

Flybuys New Zealand will shut down in December after almost 30 years of operation. The Australian Flybuys company is not affected. Picture: Supplied

“If you have a Flybuys Points balance or have chosen Flybuys Points as your Flybuys reward currency, you will have until 11.59pm on 31st December 2024 to spend your Flybuys Points,” the post continued.

“Any unredeemed Flybuys Points will be expired on 1st January 2025, and the Flybuys programme will be closed.”

Points can still be accumulated by shopping at partner organisations like LiquorLand and BNZ.

The Australian Flybuys program is a separate entity and is not affected by the closure of New Zealand Flybuys.

Loyalty NZ, the company which runs Flybuys, is also shutting down.

In May, IAG New Zealand - the New Zealand subsidiary of Insurance Australia Group - announced it would acquire some of Loyalty NZ’s assets and would be making offers of employment to about a third of staff.

“IAG New Zealand intends to harness the underlying technology and capability of Loyalty New Zealand’s people to significantly enhance its ongoing business transformation activities,” Loyalty NZ said in a statement.

The loyalty program, which partnered with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ticketek, said customers have until October 31 to earn points. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Loyalty NZ chief executive Lizzy Ryley said it had been a privilege being part of the lives of so many shoppers for 28 years.

“The landscape for loyalty programmes has changed, and continues to change rapidly, with businesses now having greater access to technology and capabilities that enable them to create their own highly tailored proprietary loyalty programmes,” she said in a statement.

“The Flybuys model of a services and retailer alliance has run its course.”

Ms Ryley told local media 1News the landscape for loyalty schemes was changing rapidly.

“It’s been a tough week. The outpouring of support from our members has been wonderful — Kiwis do love Flybuys,” she said.

“In essence, what’s happened is that businesses want to be able to talk directly to their customers.

“Coalition loyalty programmes worldwide have started to change or have moved towards propriety programmes.”