Loyalty cards are stuck in the past

Sowetan · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · Aug 10, 2026 · 748 words · By Lindile Sifile

Product Promotion ((my)cards) Consumer Convenience Digital Transformation

headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing

Generate a natural audio summary of this story

Daily briefing

What to know about Product Promotion ((my)cards)

Story audio is generated using AI Consumers have embraced smartphones for almost every part of their daily lives, but loyalty programmes are stuck in the past, with shoppers often having to carry cards or search through apps to access their rewards.

Claims checked 6

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center100%

Right0%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Why it matters

As technology has changed the way people bank, shop, travel and communicate, consumers are increasingly expecting the same convenience from loyalty programmes.

Common ground

Byron Rode, founder and CEO of (my)cards, part of Glynt, said loyalty programmes need to catch up with the digital lifestyles consumers have adopted.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Oversimplification: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Product Promotion ((my)cards) story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that The (my)cards app aims to bring existing rewards programmes together in one place, allowing shoppers to access their loyalty cards from their phones?
How does this story connect Product Promotion ((my)cards) with Consumer Convenience over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-08-10-loyalty-cards-are-stuck-in-the-past/

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Oversimplification 70% confidence

Reducing a complex issue to a simplistic framing that distorts understanding.

Why it matters: Recognizing oversimplification helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 6 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

verified Verified By Reference 4

verified Verified 1

check_circle Corroborated 1

verified

Claim 1: “The (my)cards app aims to bring existing rewards programmes together in one place, allowing shoppers to access their loyalty cards from their phones.”

VERIFIED

Web search results explicitly describe (my)cards as a 'loyalty card aggregation app' and a 'Digital Wallet for Loyalty Cards' created by Byron Rode, which aligns with the claim that it brings rewards programmes together in one place on a phone.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Partner loyalty card. Kari. Kari. Карта клуба. Get card.
https://cards.uds.app/c/loyalty-cards?id=24

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Bonus Cards, Discounts, and Rewards inOne App. Create your digital card in seconds, collect points from your purchases, unlock personalized offers, and enjoy a smarter way to shop, save, and live.
https://inone.am/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — I’m incredibly pleased to FINALLY announce that Glynt (formerly Tractor Media Holdings) has acquired Store (my) Cards - "getmycards" a brilliant loyalty card aggregation app created by Byron Rode - an…
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/byronrode_mycards-digital-wal…

verified

Claim 2: “41% of consumers prefer buying from stores where they belong to loyalty programmes.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While the evidence contains general loyalty statistics from LinkedIn and other sources, none of them mention the specific 41% figure or the specific BrandMapp research cited in the claim.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Consumer behaviour is the study of individuals, groups, or organisations and all activities associated with the purchase, use and disposal of goods and services. It encompasses how the consumer's emot…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_behaviour

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — In economics, herd behavior is commonly observed in stock market and marketing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_behavior_(economics)

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Below is a list of notable defunct retailers of the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_retailers_of_t…

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 3: “According to BrandMapp research, 77% of loyalty card users said loyalty programmes influence where they buy groceries.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for this claim is completely irrelevant, consisting of TSA customer service pages and unrelated Wikipedia entries for a radio station and an actress. No mention of BrandMapp research is present.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hot 1027 is a South African commercial radio station based in Johannesburg. Formerly known as Classic FM 102.7, the station was founded in 1997 and catered exclusively to a classical music audience. F…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_1027

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Katherine Frances Brand (born 13 January 1979), known as Katy Brand, is an English actress, comedian and writer, known for her ITV2 series Katy Brand's Big Ass Show and Comedy Lab Slap on Channel 4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Brand

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mapp & Lucia is a British drama television series that was first broadcast on BBC One from 29 to 31 December 2014. The three-part series, adapted by Steve Pemberton and directed by Diarmuid Lawrence, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapp_&_Lucia_(2014_TV_series)

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 4: “The research also found 51% said loyalty programmes influence where they buy fuel”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence consists of Twitch support pages and unrelated Wikipedia entries. There is no evidence regarding BrandMapp research or fuel loyalty statistics.

menu_book

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 5: “He said 45% of consumers use virtual cards for convenience, security or rewards.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence is entirely irrelevant, discussing the number 45 in the context of wedding anniversaries, ammunition (.45 ACP), and general online shopping. No data on virtual card usage percentages is provided.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Affirm Holdings, Inc. is an American financial technology company and a point-of-sale lender. Founded in 2012 by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, it is the largest U.S. based buy now, pay later (BNPL) f…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirm_Holdings

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Online shopping is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to buy goods or services directly from a seller over the Internet using a web browser or a mobile app. Consumers generally find …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_shopping

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), officially abbreviated as PCIe, is a high-speed standard used to connect hardware components inside computers. It is designed to replace older …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

+ 3 more evidence sources

check_circle

Claim 6: “Byron Rode, founder and CEO of (my)cards, part of Glynt”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web search results confirm that Byron Rode is the founder of (my)cards and that the app/entity is part of Glynt (via the acquisition and the launch of Ignis Labs).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Byron Rode, CEO and co-founder of ignis.Says Rode: “Partnering with Glynt is an incredible opportunity to take Store (my) Cards from a passion project to a platform with real national impact.
https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/glynt-acquires-store-my…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Byron Rode, founder and CEO of (my)cards, part of Glynt, said loyalty programmes need to catch up with the digital lifestyles consumers have adopted.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/business/2026-08-10-why-loy…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — In this episode, Byron Rode shares his extensive experience in fintech, privacy, and security, focusing on innovative solutions for informal sectors in South Africa.Human Byron is the Co-Founder and C…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zll0bnoFwRc

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.