Samsung, which has been trailing Apple in terms of phone manufacturers who also provide a mobile payment platform, is expanding the capabilities of Samsung Pay with the addition of an internal rewards program.

Samsung Pay will now feature a new section on its app – Samsung Rewards. This section will offer rewards to users who make mobile payments using the platform, which can then be redeemed through the app.

“Since its launch just over a year ago, Samsung Pay has driven innovation of the digital wallet experience, helping users slim down your physical wallet – and maybe even leave it at home,” said Nana Murugesan VP and GM of services and new business at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung Pay has added support for more than 500 banks and credit unions, along with a growing number of loyalty, membership and gift cards.

“And it continues to add innovative new features like Deals, which shows coupons and discounts at nearby stores that users can redeem instantly. Samsung Pay now supports in-app payments, and beginning next year, it will start to support online payments, as well.”

Samsung Pay
Samsung’s mobile payment platform has been a ray of light amid the company’s other, darker tidings in the past few months.

As Samsung was forced to recall a large number of devices due to safety issues, the phone manufacturer is looking for any way to salvage good will with its customers and to expand its product range outside of hardware.

That is where Samsung Pay comes in.

As a mobile payment platform, it has not proven quite as popular as Apple Pay, though it is not far off. Samsung enjoys a considerable number of users, up to five and half million as of earlier this year.

Samsung is trying to sweeten the deal for its mobile payment users by offering them the ability to earn rewards points through Samsung Pay with the new Samsung Rewards program.

Samsung Rewards works exactly like a standard rewards points program, whether that is for a credit card or brand-specific.

As customers use Samsung Pay in their everyday lives, they accrue points for the purchases they make. After enough time and enough points have been accumulated, those points can be redeemed for deals and promotions.

Samsung is offering those deals on their own products, letting consumers earn discounts on Samsung devices and services.

Samsung offers point multipliers for frequent users, letting consumers earn double, triple and quadruple points the more often they use Samsung Pay in a given month.

Launch problems
Since Samsung Pay was launched last year, the company saw successful adoption rates, but since then they have struggled to grow at a convincing scale (see story).

The brand is combatting that by offering new incentives for consumers to Samsung Pay.

Samsung Rewards also allows consumers to “double up” on rewards, meaning that if you earn points or miles on your credit card, you can earn them as well as Samsung rewards from one purchase.

Samsung will also offer limited-time bonus events where customers can earn even more points if they make purchases within that window.

This unification of rewards earning across platforms is an integral part of Samsung Rewards, offering consumers an incentive to use Samsung Pay without taking away any of the benefits they normally enjoy from standard credit card use.

“With Samsung Pay, we’re simplifying the payment experience everywhere, and anywhere, you shop,” Mr. Murugesan said.