Nebraska-based Pony Express has announced the launch of the Pony Express Rewards app, developed through a partnership with Liquid Barcodes.
The new app — which is available on iOS and Android — gives customers “a faster, more rewarding experience at the pump, in-store and beyond,” the retailer noted in a statement.
The app allows members to earn 10 points for every $1 spent in-store, five points per gallon of fuel and eight points for every $1 spent on certain tobacco products. Pony Express Rewards members can redeem their points in the app’s Rewards Shop for free items and coupons.
Additionally, new members get 10 cents off per gallon of fuel at registration.
Members can play games daily in the app for a chance to win points, prizes and deals. Plus, they can grab Club Card deals like buy 10, get one free coffee energy drinks, and buy five, get one free fountain drinks.
Pony Express noted that it will continue working with the Liquid Barcodes customer success team on campaign planning and ongoing development of the app.
“Every time a customer fills up or steps into one of Pony Express stores, we want that visit to feel like it’s worth something extra,” said Nicolette Mayfield, senior manager, retail operations, Pony Express. “Whether saving a few cents on every gallon, earning points toward a free coffee or playing one of our daily games, we built this app to make the everyday stop at Pony Express a little more rewarding. With Liquid Barcodes, we found a partner that could cover all of our loyalty needs with their full-service platform, and we are thrilled with the upgraded look and feel of our app. Nebraska and Iowa are home to us, and this app is our way of saying thank you to the customers who have supported us here for years.”
“Pony Express is an essential member of communities in Nebraska and Iowa, and that is exactly what a loyalty program should reward,” said Matt Danielson, CEO of Liquid Barcodes. “We are proud to help them bring everyday rewards to the customers who count on them at the pump and in the store.”
The first Pony Express location opened in Winnebago, Neb. as a grocery store. The building had been originally designed for The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which commissioned its economic development corporation, Ho-Chunk Inc., in 1996, to use the property to build the first Pony Express store to meet the needs of the community on the reservation. Pony Express remodeled the location to add gas pumps and a restaurant with a lunch menu.
Ho-Chunk, headquartered on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in northeast Nebraska, has grown to over $260 million with over 1,000 employees in 21 states and 10 foreign countries. The corporation’s other subsidiary operations include information technology, construction, government contracting, real estate development, green energy, retail, wholesale distribution, marketing and transportation.
The chain launched the Pony Express loyalty program in 2015 before revamping it in 2017. Initially, customers simply needed to text to enroll and use their phone number as their ID, or opt for a traditional plastic card. The program was a big hit with truckers, offering stacking rewards on diesel purchases.
The launch of the Pony Express Rewards app will significantly enhance the chain’s loyalty efforts, offering rewards members more frequent, personalized deals on their everyday purchases.
