It looks like Microsoft is going the Club Nintendo route and will be implementing an affinity program in the near future. Such programs can be used effectively to retain customers and build brand loyalty. Kotaku got its hands on one of the invites for the pilot. Here’s an excerpt:
This is an exclusive pilot rewards program. That means that the people who get in get stuff. Cool stuff. You want cool stuff, right? Sure you do, we all want stuff. Especially cool stuff. Well, you’ve only got until October 21, 2009 to let us know you want cool stuff, because after that, the doors close and someone else gets the cool stuff.
I’m an absolute sucker for affinity programs. Whether it’s fast-food joints, grocery stores, airlines, etc., I almost always get a card and almost always spend more than I ought to trying to gain points. There’s a 99-percent chance that Microsoft will sucker me into this one too.
What do you think of programs like this and Club Nintendo? Do they make you more loyal to the company? Do you think Microsoft will loudly introduce some really cool benefits so that it can quietly raise the price of Xbox Live?
I got one of these yesterday. It took me to a brief survey, which I dutifully filled out and submitted. I don't know if it will make me spend more, but I do like free stuff.
I still haven't earned anything with my Club Nintendo account.
I don't think I buy enough MS points to benefit from this program. but I like anything that gives back to the consumer
I thought that this is kinda what the whole Gamerscore was originally for.
sure its cool i guess, but im with Sandrock323, ive still never gotten anything with my club nintendo membership. it might sucker a few people in, but i cant imagine it will be enough to really matter in the long run.
@SlickyFats You're correct, but Microsoft saw that people were happy just getting points and didn't do anything with it, until now.
Whenever it comes to Microsoft, I can't help but think that there's some kind of gimmick involved. Though I suppose in this case, the gimmick simply could be getting more people to buy more points… something I rarely do, simply because the concept to me feels like it's milking people for more money (100 points = $1.25, which may not seem so bad until you add it up… 800 points = $10, 5000 points = $62.50) than it feels like.
Granted, they're in it ultimately to make money, but still.
Didn't Microsoft already have a rewards program associated with XBL called the "Diamond" program. I have a Microsoft Diamond card with my XBL Gamertag on it that gets me discounts at participating partner stores.
-M
@Iceman
Do they still offer those? I could use a little help getting credit with the way people are acting over this "economic crisis".