Discovery updates its popular Vitality Rewards platform

Discovery Vitality has announced changes to its popular digital programme, Vitality Active Rewards, which measures members’ activity, driving, and spending and pays them for completing weekly targets.

Discovery’s Vitality is a behavioural programme that combines prizes and incentives to encourage individuals to make better choices.

Vitality Active Rewards uses microincentives and rapid pleasure to encourage positive behaviour by gamifying physical exercise. The site was created in 2015 and has since expanded to over 725,000 registered members.

Members can earn a weekly play on a gameboard for meeting their exercise, driving, or spending goals. Each gameboard play exposes secret goodies of different value, awarded in Discovery’s reward currency, Discovery Miles.

“Vitality Active Rewards has been brilliant in making people healthier and keeping them engaged. Our members consistently exercise more frequently and more vigorously the more they use the platform,” said Discovery Vitality CEO Dinesh Govender.

“In 2022, 6.6 billion points were earned, with nine million goals achieved and one million coffees and smoothies redeemed. Members are increasingly choosing to spend Discovery Miles earned on everything from necessities like electricity and cellphone airtime, and data to treats like luxury items, online shopping, and our popular travel rewards.

Discovery announced certain platform modifications for 2023, including:

• The ability for members to earn their grocery, pharmacy and fuel spend back in Discovery Miles. Members can get up to 1,500 Discovery Miles back per tile, based on 1 Discovery Mile for every Rand spent on the largest transaction for the week;
• A Rewards Multiplier – when members achieve specific Exercise goal streaks, starting from five consecutive goals, allowing them to double the Discovery Miles they reveal on the gameboard;
• Members can take a Rest Week – following a 25‑week goal achievement streak to rest and rejuvenate without breaking their goal streak;
• Sneak Peeks – which momentarily reveal a chosen tile so members can try again for a richer reward if they wish;
• Activity tiles for when members achieve Exercise, Drive or Spend goals, give the member the equivalent Discovery Miles for each Exercise, Drive or Spend point earned in the week; and
• A Discovery Tile lets members earn Discovery Miles based on how many Discovery products they have.

“These rewards and incentives, when gamified, are a powerful way to help people exercise, drive better and manage their money well.

“Now, Vitality Active Rewards will be more personalised and more rewarding than ever before, giving members even more reasons to achieve their goals every week. The more they exercise, the better they drive, and the more responsibly they manage their finances, the more they get back,” said Govender.

He also stated that the updates are now available in the Discovery Bank app.

Members who do not have a Discovery Bank account may enjoy their improved Vitality Active Rewards by opening a zero-monthly-fee Discovery Account.

Members can also increase their benefits by opening a Discovery Bank transaction account, credit card, or full banking suite. Members who do not download the Discovery Bank app will continue to have their existing Vitality Active Rewards experience via the Discovery app.