Editing Loyalty program (section)

==Channels==
Depending on the program, ways that consumers may access their loyalty account (account number, promotions, other information) may include:
*Desktop, mobile, and/or responsive versions of the website(s) for the program and/or of participating merchant(s)
*Mobile apps for the program or participating merchant(s)
*At dedicated kiosks, such as in casinos<ref>{{cite news |title=Global games and FinTech supplier Everi acquires casino kiosk firm Atrient for US$40 million |url=https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2019/03/13/global-games-and-fintech-supplier-everi-acquires-casino-kiosk-firm-atrient-for-us40-million/ |access-date=3 July 2024 |work=IAG |date=13 March 2019}}</ref>
*Traditional methods such as:
**Physical membership cards
**Paper-based mailings of account statements, promotions, and other information
===Mobile apps and websites===
There has been a move away from traditional magnetic card, stamp, or punchcard based schemes to online and mobile online loyalty programs. While these schemes vary, the common element is a push toward eradication of a traditional card, in favour of an electronic equivalent. The choice of medium is often a [[QR code]]. Some prominent examples are Austrian based mobile-pocket established in 2009, the US-based Punchd (discontinued from June 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/google-kills-punchd-mobile-loyalty-card-app/2012-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231021842/http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/google-kills-punchd-mobile-loyalty-card-app/2012-12-17 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=31 December 2012 |date=17 December 2012 |title=Google Kills Punchd Mobile Loyalty Card App |website= fiercemobilecontent.com}}</ref>), which became part of [[Google]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://venturebeat.com/2011/07/12/googles-punchd-acquisition-to-push-mobile-wallet-uptake|date=12 July 2011|work=VentureBeat|title=Google's Punchd acquisition to push mobile wallet uptake}}</ref> and an Australian-based loyalty card application called Stamp Me<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://qsrmedia.com.au/marketingadvertising/more-news/stamp-me-app-replaces-loyalty-cards|date=26 November 2012|title=Stamp Me app replaces loyalty cards|website=qsrmedia.com.au}}</ref> which incorporates [[iBeacon]] technology. Others, like Loopy Loyalty (HK), Loyalli (UK), [[Perka]] (US), and Whisqr Loyalty (CA), have offered similar programs.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/apr/12/10-best-money-saving-apps|date=12 April 2013|title=10 Best Money Saving Apps | location=London|work=The Guardian|first1=Patrick|last1=Collinson|first2=Emma|last2=Lunn}}</ref> [[Passbook (application)|Passbook by Apple]] is the first attempt to standardize the format of mobile loyalty cards.

===Offline with mobile device===
With the introduction of [[host card emulation]] (HCE) and [[near field communication]] (NFC) technology for mobile applications, traditional contactless smart cards for prepaid and loyalty programs are emulated in a smartphone. [[Google Wallet]] adopted these technologies for mobile off-line payment applications.

The major advantage of off-line over the online system is that the user's smartphone does not have to be online, and the transaction is fast. In addition, multiple emulated cards can be stored in a smartphone to support multi-merchant loyalty programs. Consequently, the user does not need to carry many physical cards anymore.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/plink
|title=Plink}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.ventureradar.com/similar/Drop%20Loyalty/8fae528a-3d48-4dc5-8008-81830c0ff41d
|title=Similar companies}}</ref>