Do you remember that special birthday where you were given some cash inside a card you never read?  Do you really remember who gave it to you?  Would it be a fair guess that you would rather have had something other than THAT?  Something where you knew they were thinking of you or at least trying to think of you.  It just seemed like a last minute gift or a cop out?  Maybe even “cheap”? It’s a well-known saying and cliché, “Cash is King”.  We all love a roll of bills in our pocket or the check that arrives in the mail.  We even get excited to receive that PIN number to activate a virtual prepaid card online.  Why?  Generally, it is because of instant gratification and has a known or expected quality.  Yes, the check usually takes a few to several weeks to arrive.  Yes, the virtual prepaid card cannot usually be used for fuel, paying bills, or in the grocery store, but it’s there for other things. So why, in today’s world where most loyalty programs based on cash incentives, are they struggling to keep their end-users engaged and performing?  One word: emotions.  Just like the introduction above, […]

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