MasterCard Advisors, LLC, the global professional services arm of MasterCard International, today announced the launch of the first fully integrated end-to-end rewards solution in the Europe region with MasterCard Rewards Services (MRS).
This launch establishes MasterCard Advisors as the foremost organization in the world with the capability to expand loyalty programs globally.
MRS is designed to enable payment card issuers to integrate their global rewards offerings into one system, thereby streamlining operations and reducing administrative costs and complexity. Built on a platform that supports multiple languages and translation, currency conversion, and country-specific reporting requirements, MRS is ideal for card issuers seeking to increase their international business. The system is customizable and will support the expanded reward offerings of the issuer by country or region, according to the specific business priorities.
"MasterCard Advisors helps clients grow their payments business by continually enhancing its offerings in response to emerging client and market needs," said Lanny Byers, global practice leader, MasterCard Advisors, Loyalty Consulting and Rewards Services. "The MasterCard Rewards Services solution helps to meet the needs of payment card issuers who wish to compete effectively in an increasingly global marketplace This powerful integrated platform supports our issuers' business goals and creates new opportunities to expand their loyalty and reward offerings regionally or around the world."
GE Consumer Finance's Corporate Payment Services unit will be the first issuer to offer a MasterCard-branded rewards program in Europe, utilizing end-to-end MRS services which include call center support, merchandise, gift voucher, and travel fulfillment. Corporate Payment Services' first rewards program based on MRS was Gains Travel Card Rewards program, where enrolled business cardholders receive points when they use their corporate card for eligible purchases. This program launched in the United Kingdom and Ireland in October 2004.
"By taking advantage of what the new MasterCard Rewards Services offers, we will be able to administer our MasterCard loyalty programs in Europe and the U.S. on a single integrated platform," said Jeffery R. Dye, president and CEO of Corporate Payment Services. "The resulting efficiency and flexibility MRS provides will allow us to focus on our number one priority – customer service."
Separately, MasterCard International has announced that it has published its rules directly to Member Service Providers (MSPs), the latest step in the company's ongoing effort to provide increased levels of transparency and customer service.
The new Member Service Provider Rules Manual is available for free download on the MasterCard merchant website.
"MasterCard has a customer-centric vision that differentiates us from our competitors. We have a long history of working with financial institutions as allies and partners, and are consistently working to make sure MSPs, merchants and other important constituencies have that same level of support," said Gerritt Kerkstra, senior vice president, Acquirer Relations. "Providing a better understanding of MasterCard rules and procedures benefits everyone."
MSPs provide critical services supporting member issuing and acquiring programs, including transaction processing, authorization routing, cardholder and merchant solicitation and statement preparation, and chargeback processing. The new rules manual includes a wide range of topics relevant to MSPs providing both acquiring and issuing program services, including the MSP's use of the MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus marks, security requirements, acceptance procedures, and affinity/co-brand program rules.
MSPs previously only had access to abridged rules through their sponsoring acquirers, at a cost to the acquirer. The rules will now be available to all interested parties with no charge. The distribution of the rules to MSPs follows MasterCard's decision last year to enhance its merchant website, and make the rules pertaining to merchant acceptance available to the merchant community. The website also provides information designed to help merchants maximize the benefits and value of accepting MasterCard payment cards.