Loyalty scheme creators aim to go global

Feejoa is looking at offering its service in Australia, the US and Britain. Photo / Thinkstock

Creators of a loyalty card that offers to pay part of a drinker's bar tab off their student loan are planning to go global.

Alcohol harm experts hit out in the Herald on Sunday two weeks ago against the Feejoa card scheme, in which promoters pay up to 5 per cent of the amount users spend at participating businesses off their student loans.

Eight of the nine businesses now signed up are bars.

The scheme was condemned by those who deal with alcohol abuse, including Alcohol Healthwatch health promotions adviser Christine Rogan, who said it exploited the vulnerable.

But Feejoa director Phil O'Reilly said the criticism was unwarranted, as the loyalty programme was benefiting members, including a large number who had signed on after the newspaper coverage.

O'Reilly said Feejoa was looking at offering its service in Australia, the United States and Britain.

"We want to conquer the world with this," he said. "We want this to be a great Kiwi idea to tackle a global problem.

"There's so much student debt in America. This [scheme], as far as we can tell, is unique."

As well as the eight bars, the Feejoa card was accepted at the Warehouse Stationery chain.

Feejoa won't say how much has been paid off student loans since it started in November.