For decades, scanning a little blue card at checkout felt like second nature to millions of New Zealanders.
From petrol stations to grocery stores, Flybuys was everywhere — a quiet companion to everyday life.
But soon, it will be gone.
And with it, a certain way of shopping may be fading too.
A farewell with little fanfare
In 2024, it was officially announced: Flybuys is coming to an end in New Zealand.
After nearly 30 years of collecting points, rewards, and catalogues filled with air fryers and toasters, the curtain is falling.
Quietly. Without drama.
“I didn’t even know it was ending,” says Leanne T., a 38-year-old teacher from Christchurch.
“I kept scanning my card at the supermarket. No one said a word.”
It’s a strange kind of ending — no grand campaign, no public goodbye.
Just a slow fade, and a message on the app saying:
“Flybuys points will no longer be collected or redeemed after [date].”
The change reflects something deeper than just a loyalty program shutting down.
It speaks to how much our shopping habits have changed, and how the meaning of “loyalty” itself is being redefined.
Are we still loyal — or just looking for speed?
In the 1990s and early 2000s, loyalty programs were part of the excitement of shopping.
They offered:
- A sense of belonging to a brand or a store
- Tangible rewards over time
- The thrill of saving points for something big
But in today’s fast-moving, app-driven world, that model feels outdated.
Consumers want instant rewards, personalized deals, and frictionless checkout.
Why wait for 1,000 points when you can get a promo code on your phone in five seconds?
“Loyalty today is less about cards and more about convenience,” says marketing analyst Jamie R.
“We’ve shifted from delayed gratification to instant validation.”
So, what comes next?
The end of Flybuys doesn’t mean we’ve stopped caring — it just means we care differently.
Other models are rising:
- Digital wallets that store discounts automatically
- Apps that gamify savings in real time
- Brand loyalty driven by values — like sustainability or ethics
The quiet exit of Flybuys is a symbol.
Not of failure, but of transition.
And in some ways, it’s also a farewell to a certain kind of shopper — the one who saved barcodes, waited patiently, and flipped through catalogues.
