Loyalty Level-Up: How Aussie Clubs Can Borrow Big Retail Wins

Australian loyalty programs are getting bolder, and clubs can swipe a few pages from their playbooks. Here’s a quick hit of five standout campaigns from retail and hospitality—and how your club can riff on each to turn members into true insiders.

1. Hyper-Boost Points Mania

Woolworths smashed records with its “Boost Your Budget” 10× Everyday Rewards points offer across 1,000+ products—and paired it with a daily “Big Night In” draw for 1 million points every day until July 8, 2025.

Club Copy: Launch a limited-time “10× Game-Day Points” week tied to your busiest bar nights. Let members trigger the boost via your app or kiosk, then watch them fill the venue to chase VIP access or free meal credits.

2. Freebie Frenzy with Premium Gifts

Coles partnered Flybuys with SMEG kitchen knives—worth ~$900—unlockable for free after just a $20 spend and card scan. The viral buzz drove app downloads and social chatter long after the knife set sold out.

Club Copy: Team with a local brewery, distillery or restaurant to offer a premium paddle board or tasting experience. Members earn “club credits” with every bar spend, redeemable for the big-ticket prize—then brag about it on socials, amplifying your reach.

3. Sustainability Tier Rewards

Qantas’ “Green Tier” rewards customers for eco-friendly behaviours—like choosing digital boarding passes or offsetting flights—unlocking lounge access and bonus points.

Club Copy: Incentivise green choices at your venue: BYO reusable cups, cycle-to-the-club arrivals or public-transport check-ins earn “Green Member” status. Offer table upgrades or entry to eco-focused events to deepen their emotional buy-in.

4. App-Only Seasonal Rush

Applejack Hospitality’s Summer Points Frenzy rewarded members with 10 points per $1 spent across Darlinghurst venues. With 10 million points sitting unredeemed, the campaign nudged app users to cash in before the March reset—driving foot traffic and redemption buzz.

Club Copy: Run a “Summer Shout-Out” in your club app—double points on meals, gaming or bar tabs for two weeks. Then spotlight top redeemers in-venue and online, turning point redemptions into moments of pride and social proof.

5. Digital Loyalty Reinvention

Francis Venues swapped plastic cards for Frisbie Rewards, a fully digital program that tracks punters’ spend in real time and lets them convert points into free pints or snacks. Early feedback highlights the simplicity of seeing “pints = points” balance climb on-screen.

Club Copy: Ditch punch cards and paper stamps—launch a slick app or kiosk sign-in that streams points live. Gamify it: a “Leaderboard” wall in the venue showcases top point earners each month, feeding into FOMO and friendly rivalry.

Why it works:

- Community: Big giveaways and leaderboards spark chatter and bring folks together.
- Opportunity: Unique perks—like SMEG knives or “Green” status—give members fresh reasons to engage.
- Reward: Instant, tangible wins (points, freebies, upgrades) keep members hooked.
- Enjoyment: Seasonal sprints (summer, winter promotions) break routine and add excitement.
- Involvement: App-only campaigns and eco-tiers invite members to co-create the experience, driving true belonging.

Clubs that repurpose these ideas—tailoring them with local partners, seasonal themes, and your unique vibe—will not just reward spend, but build a tribe. Ready to level up? Hit “activate” on your next loyalty sprint and watch the club come alive.

For more articles and helpful hints head to From the Vault — Buzz Consultants