If you are not a member of at least one loyalty programme, you are officially in the minority.
According to a recent TruthLoyalty and BrandMapp survey, 82% of South Africans used loyalty programmes in 2025 — a notable increase from 76% in 2023 and 67% in 2015. The steady rise tells a clear story: loyalty programmes are no longer a “nice-to-have.” For millions, they are a practical tool for stretching every rand further.
With the cost of living climbing and inflation reshaping household budgets, everyday rewards have quietly become a smart financial ally. Here are four ways loyalty programmes are helping South Africans save.
1. Take Advantage of Special Offers
Many retailers across various sectors offer loyalty programmes that alert members to exclusive promotions, discounts and limited-time deals.
The temptation is to ignore the notifications or promotional messages. But taking a closer look can reveal meaningful savings. When discounts are genuinely attractive, slightly adjusting entrenched spending habits can make financial sense.
Instead of sticking rigidly to routine purchases, loyalty alerts can guide smarter buying decisions — allowing consumers to benefit from opportunities they might otherwise miss.
2. Become More “Spending Aware”
At its core, financial stability depends on budgeting. While budgeting may not feel exciting, the shift from “What do I want to buy?” to “How much do I have to spend?” can be transformative.
Loyalty programmes do not manage budgets on behalf of consumers. However, by incentivising specific spending behaviours, they encourage greater awareness around where money goes and where savings can be made.
Incentives and rewards naturally prompt consumers to think more strategically about purchases. Over time, this builds better spending habits and sharper financial discipline.
3. Keep Down the Cost of Essentials Like Fuel
Few expenses feel as unavoidable — or as volatile — as fuel.
According to Stats SA, the inland price of 93 unleaded petrol was R1.86 per litre in 1995. By September 2025, that figure had climbed to R21.47 per litre. While fuel retailers have no influence over the regulated petrol price and only limited flexibility with diesel pricing, many are helping consumers offset costs through loyalty initiatives.
Various loyalty programmes — including those offered by insurers and fuel retailers such as BP Rewards — provide cashback incentives when customers use their products. While these rewards do not change the pump price, they create tangible value in return.
For households feeling the pressure of rising transport costs, cashback on fuel can contribute meaningfully to monthly savings.
4. Save Time Through Smarter Technology
Beyond direct savings, a strong loyalty programme can also save something equally valuable: time.
Modern loyalty platforms use collected data to personalise offers and recommendations. Instead of spending hours hunting for bargains in newspapers, flyers or across multiple stores, members receive tailored deals directly on their phones.
When technology is effectively leveraged, savings become more accessible and convenient — available anytime, anywhere.
Efficiency matters. In a fast-paced world, time saved can translate into better decision-making and less financial stress.
A Practical Tool for Everyday Savings
Loyalty programmes have evolved from simple stamp cards into data-driven savings ecosystems. Their growth — from 67% usage in 2015 to 82% in 2025 — reflects how deeply embedded they have become in South African consumer behaviour.
As Pride Hlungwani, Senior Marketing & Transformation Manager at bp Southern Africa, highlights, loyalty programmes can help consumers beat inflation, develop stronger budgeting habits and enjoy lifestyle benefits — all while making everyday spending work a little harder.
In a high-cost environment, small advantages add up. And sometimes, the smartest financial strategy is simply making sure you are rewarded for money you were going to spend anyway.
