Fri Feb 02 2024
Merchants from various industries have had to adjust quickly in response to a sudden change in consumer buying behavior. The truth is, the pandemic also triggered a rapid acceleration in the adoption and usage of digital payments. As a result, many businesses started to digitize so that they could maintain their revenue streams.
The ENTERTAINER business’s Head of Key Accounts and Strategic Sales, Vaibhav Goel, highlights how companies can enhance their brand loyalty through digital payments. Read on to find out more about his key insights on the subject.
Digital Payments
Digital payments are made via online channels without the exchange of physical money. Also, commonly referred to as electronic payments (e-payments) and can be carried out through:
Mobiles
Computers
Tap and Pay
Digital wallets
Card Linked Offers
Credit cards
Debit cards
Prepaid cards
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals
National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Both online and in-person transactions are possible when making digital payments. Thus, it is very convenient as you can even make payments on the go!
Enhance Your Customer Loyalty
Brands are enhancing their payment procedures to guarantee a frictionless and seamless checkout journey. This is because online and in-store checkouts are such an important part of the overall customer experience.
The loyalty landscape today is fast evolving on many fronts and one of the most phenomenal changes includes adapting to digital payments for processing loyalty transactions. This not only extends a smooth experience to members but also offers additional benefits sponsored by financial service partners. Digital payments also build flexibility to add instant gratification during checkout and this can be tactically managed on short notice.
Depending on the size and popularity of the loyalty program, brands can partner on a short term or permanent basis and add credits to a single loyalty wallet. Digital payment options make it easy to integrate and thanks to the quick go-live turnaround, it adds more benefits for end users meaning they do not lose out on opportunities to earn rewards.
To help elaborate, here’s an example of a large multi-brand coalition loyalty or a mall loyalty program, where consumers are benefited via accelerated earning as they potentially shop across hundreds of allied merchants and brands that issue a single loyalty currency. The biggest challenge for such programs is the tedious earn and burn process as well as the huge investments (including time and money) in various partners’ POS integrations. However, with card linked technology, members can map up to five credit cards from any bank and seamlessly earn rewards points. This is applicable every time they use the mapped credit cards at allied outlets.
Final Thoughts
Digital payments can improve Customer Value Proposition (CVP) and the seamless experience can augment the overall engagement in loyalty programs.
Most marketers believe that loyalty yields consumer engagement. However, the reality is the opposite – high engagement leads to absolute loyalty! Hence, loyalty experts are on a continuous quest for low-cost triggers for engagement, preferably as much as possible, uniform to the base and digital payments are playing a crucial role in this.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Penny McNmara, Head of Marketing
Mobile: +971 58 590 1510
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.theentertainerme.com
News
Wio Personal customers gain complimentary access to a curated selection of Buy One Get One Free offers at top restaurants, entertainment venues, attractions and wellness experiences throughout the UAE, directly within the Wio app.
Wio Bank PJSC, the UAE's leading digital bank, has partnered with ENTERTAINER, the region’s leading lifestyle savings app, to provide eligible customers with complimentary access to a curated selection of Buy One Get One Free offers, helping them save across the categories they spend on most.
Available from Monday 13 July, the benefit is integrated directly into the Wio app, giving eligible Wio customers access to 600 Buy One Get One Free offers from 200 popular merchants across fine dining, casual eats and brunches, family attractions, spas, gyms and salons throughout the UAE.
Included in the curated collection are Signor Sassi, Maison Mathis, Carnival by Tresind, Emirates Park Zoo, Sofitel Spa, Café Bateel and many more.
"The best banking benefits are the ones customers actually use. Whether that’s earning 2% cash back on everyday spending, growing their savings with some of the most competitive rates in the UAE, or now saving at their favourite restaurant or spa through the ENTERTAINER. Every benefit we offer is designed to give Wio Personal customers genuine, repeated value. This is a bank built around your life, not just your balance." - Prateek Vahie, Chief Commercial Officer at Wio Bank PJSC
"At the ENTERTAINER, we're passionate about helping people enjoy more experiences while making their money go further. Through our partnership with Wio, we're excited to extend that value to Wio customers across the UAE, giving them easy access to savings on dining, attractions and wellness experiences they can enjoy every day." - Donna Benton, Founder and CEO, the ENTERTAINER
What customers get
Wio's curated ENTERTAINER membership gives eligible customers complimentary access to:
600 Buy One Get One Free offers across 200 merchants Premium and casual dining, brunches, attractions, spas, salons and fitness experiences Coverage across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Northern Emirates Convenient access directly within the Wio app Wio Family customers get double the savings, with up to 1,200 offersBuilt around how customers can actually save
This benefit reflects Wio's approach to building Wio Personal around real, repeated value, concentrating rewards where customers spend most, at the merchants they visit regularly. The ENTERTAINER sits alongside Wio Personal's existing financial benefits, including competitive deposit rates, 2% cash back on eligible spending, and easy access to investment products through Wio Invest.
Tue Jul 14 2026
News
The new co-branded platform will provide Banque Misr UAE's VIP customers with access to lifestyle offers and savings across the UAE and Egypt.
Banque Misr UAE has partnered with the ENTERTAINER to develop the Banque Misr ENTERTAINER app, a dedicated lifestyle platform designed for its VIP customer segment.
Powered by the ENTERTAINER, the co-branded platform will provide Banque Misr UAE's VIP customers with access to lifestyle offers and savings across dining, entertainment, travel, wellness, leisure, retail and more in the UAE and Egypt.
The initiative forms part of Banque Misr UAE's commitment to enhancing its premium customer experience by integrating everyday and premium lifestyle benefits into its VIP proposition, strengthening customer engagement and loyalty.
Once launched, customers will be able to access a tailored selection of offers from leading brands and venues, unlocking greater value on the experiences and activities they enjoy most.
As demand for lifestyle-led rewards continues to grow, banks are increasingly looking beyond traditional financial services to create more engaging customer experiences. The Banque Misr ENTERTAINER app reflects this shift by combining banking benefits with everyday lifestyle value.
The ENTERTAINER business supports banks and financial institutions with customised, scalable solutions that help drive customer acquisition, engagement and retention.
Banque Misr UAE and the ENTERTAINER are working closely to bring the Banque Misr ENTERTAINER app to market, with further details to be announced in due course.
Tue Jun 23 2026
News
United Arab Emirates – United Arab Bank (UAB), one of the UAE’s oldest homegrown banks, has partnered with the ENTERTAINER, the leading lifestyle savings app in the region, to offer complimentary 12-month membership with its new Credit Cards.
This exclusive benefit unlocks thousands of Buy One Get One Free offers at top restaurants, attractions, leisure venues, hotels, spas and more across the UAE. As the only bank in the UAE providing full access to the ENTERTAINER offers nationwide, UAB is setting a new benchmark for lifestyle-driven banking rewards and reaffirming its commitment to delivering tangible, everyday value to customers.
The official signing was attended by Emre Yalcin, Head of Retail Banking at United Arab Bank; Donna Benton, Founder and CEO of the ENTERTAINER; and key executives from both organizations.
Emre Yalcin, Head of Retail Banking at UAB, commented: “Our new Credit Card proposition is built around two key pillars; rewarding the needs of families and complementing the everyday essentials of individuals. I am confident that our exclusive partnership with the ENTERTAINER will enhance both verticals, allowing our customers to enjoy a thoughtfully curated suite of benefits.”
The ENTERTAINER app features over 10,000 Buy One Get One Free offers covering dining, wellness, attractions, leisure activities, hotel stays, and everyday services. Popular venues include Ewaan, Mott32, Waldorf Astoria, KidZania, LEGOLAND®, Wild Wadi and many more — delivering a wide array of savings opportunities tailored to UAE residents.
Donna Benton, Founder and CEO of the ENTERTAINER, added: "At the ENTERTAINER, our mission has always been to make savings simple, valuable and accessible. This partnership with United Arab Bank brings that mission to life for thousands of new members across the UAE. We’re excited to help UAB Credit Card holders experience more of what they love, for less."
As the ENTERTAINER continues to grow its network of merchant partners, this collaboration highlights the shared vision of both brands, delivering real value to members while supporting business growth across the UAE. This partnership further enhances UAB’s ecosystem of strategic collaborations aimed at driving long-term value for customers.
Thu Nov 20 2025
