this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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Hi, I was wondering if there is an app that enables loyalty cards sharing. When you open it, you can enter your card code of the Store. Now you can use a card of any other participant who entered his own card for the Store (the backend will send a random one) and your code can be used by anyone else using the service. Usually the cards are just permanent ID (shown as a bar code), so it shouldn't be that hard to implement.

While using this, the shop would have no chance of creating a profile on you and tracking you (as the purchases would be “random”), they have these data anyway. You would only give up the data you fill in when you ask for the card.

Do you know something like this? Or am I missing something important, or do you see some major flaws in this design (I don't use loyalty cards, but sometimes they could be quite useful)? Thanks

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's a great idea! I have thrown together a small web app to "emulate" the loyalty card for Payback, one of Germany's biggest loyalty card providers. Take a look here: https://apfelkompott.codeberg.page/loyalty-card-hosting/

To get started with some of the codes, I have scoured the web for images of cards, and added those to a list. (I've also provided the sources as part of the app.) You can also modify the code in the URL. As long as it's a valid EAN13 value, the bar code should render just fine.

Adding new providers/codes should be easily doable, if we had screenshot of the apps that show the design and the number format used for the code.

Let me know what you think.

PS: For the record, I am not affiliated with Payback, nor do I endorse using other people's card or code. This emulator is meant to be used with your number and your number alone.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's looking quite promising. The main thing missing before being ready for me is filter/add by region and of course shop name. Then it can go out i think (+ give me a random code feature as the next step).

And make a new post with this, no one will notice otherwise (if you haven't already)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for your suggestion! I've created a dedicated post for the app.

Regarding your suggestions, it's already possible to use a random code: When clicking the "Enter code" button at the top, a random code is suggested to you. With a click on "Let's go", you get to the card with that random number.

If you have some experience with TypeScript and/or React, feel free to fork and contribute! I'm always happy for pull requests.