MasterCard develops tech spec for mobile loyalty

While online redemption of offers is commonplace for consumers, the industry is just starting to deliver the

same functionality at point-of-sale checkout via a mobile app.

MasterCard says its loyalty middleware specification enables mobile applications to offer a seamless connection between payment, promotions and reward redemption. It enables consumers to select their loyalty card, the coupons/promotions they want to redeem, and make a payment in a single or double tap at a contactless terminal.

“We’ve all been there, fumbling with a loyalty fob, coupon and payment card. We’ve worked closely with various industry partners to develop and implement one standard approach to enable a seamless experience in redeeming loyalty points or promotions when making mobile payments at the point of sale,” says James Anderson, executive vice president, digital payments, MasterCard. “Having one standard will make it easier and less costly for merchants, wallet issuers, terminal providers and others in the industry to implement these programmes and focus on other elements of the customer experience.”

The card scheme is demonstrating the first fruits of the initiaitve at the Cartes event in Paris with an implementation of loyalty and promotion redemption using Ingenico Group’s MarketPlace. Demos are also being shown with Spire Payments and PAX devices. Additional industry partners participating in this effort include eThor, Newland and Panasonic.

Anderson says MasterCard will extend the programme to other industry partners in the coming months.