Loyalty and rewards

New, experimental consumer marketing programs have played a significant role in the way technology has upended the payment business in recent years. And Visa is looking to get in on the action.

As he assumes the role of CEO of 'buy local' offers company Buzz Points, Dwayne Spradlin predicts that certain trends in technology and consumer habits will breathe life into a loyalty model that has stagnated in the past.

Starbucks Corp., which now handles 16% of its U.S. sales through its mobile app, revealed today just how dominant its position has become even as it plots new features such as preordering.

Retail ATM operator Cardtronics Inc. is testing a system that takes location-based offers, which are typically linked to a card account or a mobile app, and makes them available to consumers who may prefer to pay with cash.

An older mobile-wallet technology is getting fresh attention at Westpac Bank in New Zealand, which wants to encourage people without the latest iPhone or Android handset to make contactless mobile payments.

Shopkick has launched its mobile commerce and rewards service in Germany with a group of the country's largest merchants.

Visa Europe is working with edo, a Chicago and Nashville-based card-linked marketing firm, to launch a pilot of edo's technology in the U.K. this year and eventually expand to other European countries.

American Express Co. customers whose reward points are too meager for flights, ballet tickets or even a yoga mat are getting a new list of options: a McDonald's menu.

Shopkick is being acquired by SK Planet (SKP), and aims to replicate success of its Seoul-based buyer, which serves three-quarters of South Korea's population of 50 million.

MasterCard has launched Pay with Rewards, a mobile app that allows MasterCard credit card holders to use their reward points for purchases by swiping their card at the point of sale.

SpendSmart Networks has purchased the e-commerce solutions division of TechXpress and plans to integrate the company's online and mobile services with its existing loyalty program offerings.

Macy's is using a mix of technology to pitch offers to consumers as they move within its store and shop across channels.

Nearly 50% of customers between 26 and 34 say they are likely to switch banks to get targeted rewards, according to a new whitepaper from Cardlytics.

Park Bank of Madison, Wis., is offering Buzz Points to provide consumers with bonus rewards for shopping at local merchants.

Merchants are leveraging their digital gift card platforms for quick digital promotions.

A new malware botnet is using thousands of compromised computers to launch attacks on point-of-sale systems with the intent to steal card data, says a warning from security company FireEye.

MasterCard Inc. has completed its acquisition of Pinpoint Pty. Ltd., an Australia-based loyalty and rewards service provider.

In SaveUp's first foray into the payments industry, the financial management provider is linking its reward program to PayPal's prepaid MasterCard to attract younger consumers.

Loyalty programs can be a challenge because in Brazil's anti-coupon culture. Pizza Hut is overcoming this hurdle with a combined loyalty and prepaid card.

Starbucks may soon make the tools behind its successful m-commerce strategy available to other retailers.