The only criteria is whether ebucks brings them in more than what they give out. People have wisen up to it being an advertisement and so has the value eroded. I also see no reason to jump through hoops. If you want me to check something on an app give me a reason to instead of just checking in to rack up points.
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FNB eBucks change backlash
- Thread starter Hanno Labuschagne
- Start date
In past years ebucks store used to have a wide variety of products in lots of categories and periodically items would get huge discounts depending on your level. And their annual black friday sale was crazy, with everythibg in the store at your discount level.
Now that store is a shadow of its former self.
The ebucks offering used to be a draw card to bank with FNB. I used to recommend FNB to all my mates and family. I am currently ambivalent towards them, and if things get any worse itll be time to start recommending against them.
Now that store is a shadow of its former self.
The ebucks offering used to be a draw card to bank with FNB. I used to recommend FNB to all my mates and family. I am currently ambivalent towards them, and if things get any worse itll be time to start recommending against them.
dogface
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2025
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 14
I think they screwed up big time. They obviously didn't do the analysis properly for the July earn rules changes. Then they were criticised by shareholders and corporate for the cost of the eBucks programme. Then they made a knee jerk surprise change to reduce the levels of all customers, so the total ebucks payout is significantly less. The marketing message was misleading, making me think that the marketing people also don't understand the analysis, if there was any.
Yeah, this screams of a knee jerk reaction with bugger all thought about how much loss of goodwill this will cause. Years and years spent building that up, trashed in moments.
RogueTr00per
Honorary Master
With these latest changes, I can't in good faith recommend them to the average person. The average person will not be able or willing to do all this hoop jumping. So to people looking to move to FNB I say stick with your current banks rewards system if it's decent, else perhaps Capitec if you want a simpler banking life.
I've been with FNB for 38 years and this has left a bad taste in my mouth, even for those able to jump through the hoops, who needs this k@k in their lives? No, the grass isn't always greener on the other side so to those looking to pick a bank with good rewards, I say weigh up Discovery Bank, Std. Bank and FNB against each other as FNB eBucks is now longer head and shoulders above the rest.
Lupus
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 89,544
- Reaction score
- 60,091
The average person barely knows about ebucks and what you could earn.
I've asked a few people with fnb about the ebucks changes and they were like oh okay. Do I pay more?
The family rule has grated my gears for the last 3 years or so that they’ve been around. It isolates a big customer base.
Well that is actually just an indication how bad eBucks became.
Simple programs where "use credit card, get rewards" that people understand people definitely use.
Also the burger special at PnP did show that if you make things simple people will engage.
Back in the day I was earning enough ebucks just from spending. But as with most things the more hoops I need to jump through the less I care. I've got enough going on in my life that I don't also need a PhD in ebucks to earn even just a meagre amount.
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
wow can people moan and groan so much, I mean I get it, you spend so much, you want a bit extra.
problem is this extra also costs money, no such a thing as free lunch, best one can hope for is to spend on things you would anyway spend on, and receive something token back.
kind of like gambling "Comps"
so if you gamble for a certain amount, the Casino would comp, or complimentary things for you to keep you gambling,
and they can change the rules anytime and change the tier and levels anytime,
I think we have it locally as well, just not at the levels of vegas or atlantic city,
my point being rewards cost money, they have to justify to their shareholders all the ebucks rewards and how much they cost to maintain,and show engagement and loyalty,
just like that FNB burger deal for 60 bucks, that was awesome, now its 110 for everybody, when the same combo costs 120 normally
so not that good of a deal.
problem is this extra also costs money, no such a thing as free lunch, best one can hope for is to spend on things you would anyway spend on, and receive something token back.
kind of like gambling "Comps"
so if you gamble for a certain amount, the Casino would comp, or complimentary things for you to keep you gambling,
and they can change the rules anytime and change the tier and levels anytime,
I think we have it locally as well, just not at the levels of vegas or atlantic city,
my point being rewards cost money, they have to justify to their shareholders all the ebucks rewards and how much they cost to maintain,and show engagement and loyalty,
just like that FNB burger deal for 60 bucks, that was awesome, now its 110 for everybody, when the same combo costs 120 normally
so not that good of a deal.
Are you an FNB employee? The FNB value proposition has deteriorated significantly. Decisions was made on the value proposition. FNB changed the value proposition after they managed to get the clients.
So now the same reason why people joined FNB will cause people to leave FNB.
I am not sure why anybody would defend any company making their products worse.
They want moar profits?
He probably attended the same loyalty school most Apple customers attend because they also defend detrimental changes. You know Apple and FNB, know best.
zerocool2009
Honorary Master
It’s not defend. It boils down to: if it’s not in your hands, adapt or move, or be silent. Been following this week’s events. It’s so funny, the twitter retweets. Lol
The % of clients to push ebucks to the max aint huge. The bank waked up, that my view.
Reading from TFSA account to revolving loans, dont invest with a bank, you bank with a bank. Dont make debt, that is what they want.
What?
FNB got a lot of customers because people recommended them. I was one of those people who actually convinced people to swith to FNB back in the day.
But it goes both ways.
So we are all here exercising our free market rights. In fact I am going to start making a list - my goal for the next year is to get 20 people to open a bank account and use it to some degree with a bank that is not FNB.
I think that is a noble goal.
I hate the ensh1331action trend. So I will proactively fight it.
zerocool2009
Honorary Master
I got alot of FNB subscribers (clients), within month 1, level 5.
Looking back over the years. Clients quickly upgraded to earn more, as the system was in favor of the clients.
Fnb wont be doing anything regarding complaining. Their model is to make money, different products. Look how they added rules for mobile, or insurance over the years.
If Discovery can offer better rewards, or a Capitec account makes you smile to pay R5 in banking fees, then go for it.
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
no, I'm not an FNB employee (I wish),
but at the same time cant help but laugh at how people wail and yell and complain about this,
its a bank, its primary purpose is to take your money, and store it for you, while generating profits based on how you use its services,
if you do enough of X they will give you a small gift in reward points that you can only use with them, and where they tell you.
its like complaining about Mcdonalds reward points, are peoples lives so empty and unfulfilled that they scream when the bank decides to change the rules around a bit, they have every right to do this, you sign away your rights when you join.
but I do get it, people feel betrayed, and angry about losing ebucks, although I believe that its misguided,
FNB is a company that needs to generate profits, no such thing as a free lunch, they make money from this decision as is with everything else.
are other banks better?
hardly, Discovery if you are part of vitality and do some token exercise you get a chance to earn miles, completely up to chance, almost like a roulette wheel, and every so often you can buy vouchers with that points,
but the tiers and amounts change frequently and randomly
And lets not forget, Vitality costs X a month over and above your Medical aid, and it still gives you some discounts, but not a lot.
you kind of have to be smart in how much value you get out of it. but again you PAY for the REWARD points,
same with FNB, you PAY for the reward points, Indirectly sure, but you do pay for them, same with McDonald's or Clicks or whatever out there you want.
as I keep saying no such thing as a free lunch, best you can hope for is a small discount if you eat at a restaurant of their choosing.
DrJohnZoidberg
Honorary Master
I gave up trying to play the eBucks game years ago, I have no intentions on being a circus monkey.
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
this, I have a basic Disco account, and don't really see the big deal with it, sure you get some small rewards, but remember you PAY for Vitality, same with everything else,
its all about finding out what works out better for you, Im on aspire and for me im quite happy with what I get out, its more than adequate, every 12 months get a nice reward, and every month get my kuawi voucher, without much effort or spending more than you ever did.
and if FNB decides to go after those reward points, will I get mad? no not really,
its just a banks rewards system, can always move to other things if I wanted to.
Jet-Fighter7700
Honorary Master
thats the right spirit to have,
some people going bananas when FNB decides to change the rules, why? its a bank, its purpose is to make money from you.