Study option offered by Fly Buys

The Fly Buys points are building up but you don't need another crock pot - how about a diploma instead?

A new partnership between the Open Polytechnic and Fly Buys will allow members of the loyalty programme to redeem points to study for a qualification.

The polytechnic is the first education provider in Australasia to join a loyalty programme as a rewards provider. The opportunity to redeem 400 Fly Buys points for one of the polytechnic's 1250 courses will be open until the end of August.

Open Polytechnic director of marketing Amanda Malu said it would likely continue the partnership if there were more than 100 enrolments through the scheme. She said it was always looking at ways to make learning options more flexible for people.

"Our partnership with Fly Buys offers an alternative way for people to fund their studies, and make it easier to access the learning they need to progress their careers."

Loyalty NZ chief executive Andy Symons said more than 50 customers had already redeemed points for a polytechnic qualification. They would receive a voucher to send in with their application for an enrolment form.

Andy Hamilton, chief executive of business growth centre The Icehouse said the non-traditional partnership was a sign of businesses taking a lateral approach to growth in tough economic times.

"This could be one of the benefits we see as a result of the recession."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES