Countrywide launches the UK property industry’s first rewards scheme (From This is Hampshire)

Countrywide launches the UK property industry’s first rewards scheme

4:43pm Monday 15th March 2010

Countrywide, the UK’s largest property services Group, has launched the industry’s first rewards scheme for all new mortgage customers.

Countrywide Rewards is a groundbreaking new scheme for the property industry, designed specifically for all new Countrywide mortgage customers and existing customers wishing to remortgage or renew their insurance policies. Customers will automatically accrue points which can be redeemed for rewards or ‘saved’ so they can grow in value at renewal.

Rewards include discount vouchers from leading retailers, cinema tickets and spa days, while the top rewards on offer include city breaks, free flights and exotic holidays to a choice of 30 worldwide destinations. The rewards are provided through a number of high-profile companies including Champneys, Virgin Wines, Thomas Cook and other top high street brands.

The news coincides with the latest research issued by Countrywide’s mortgage division, which operates a UK-wide network of approximately 700 Mortgage Consultants and the recent introduction of a new range of exclusive mortgage products. The research indicates that new applications have jumped to their highest levels since March 2008.

Alan Snowball, Managing Director of Countrywide Financial Services, said: “Buying a property is one of the biggest purchases people make and Countrywide Rewards provides us with an opportunity to give something back through fantastic rewards - all available at absolutely no extra cost to the customer.”

Customer example: Any new mortgage customer that takes building and contents insurance cover with a mortgage payment protection plan will receive 1,800 reward points, which would entitle them to a choice of rewards, including up to 50 percent off selected holidays, high street discount vouchers, 2 for 1 unlimited usage cinema cards and theatre tickets.

Customers that do not redeem their reward points and instead choose to ‘save’ their points for renewal will see their points grow. For example, if a customer has 1,800 reward points and chose to renew their policies for two consecutive years, their points would grow to 3,000 points with a choice of rewards including free flights and holiday vouchers.

Any mortgage renewal will be rewarded with an additional 1,000 points and customers with 5,000 reward points can pick from an additional range of fantastic rewards, including a free exotic holiday to a choice of 30 worldwide destinations for a family of four.

Grenville Turner, Countrywide Group Chief Executive summarised: “Over 85 percent of people in the UK are involved with at least one type of reward scheme and its common place to collect points when grocery shopping, booking flights and purchasing petrol but Countrywide Rewards is the first of its kind in the property industry. This is an exciting and innovative concept for our customers, the property industry, our retail partners and for Countrywide itself.”

Learn more about Countrywide Rewards by visiting www.countrywiderewards.co.uk