April 20, 2026, 8:07 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The bonus program Deutschlandcard is nearing its end. Many are familiar with the question at the checkout about whether they want to collect points. Often, the card or smartphone is quickly pulled out for this purpose. However, this routine will soon disappear. The company has announced it will completely discontinue the program. This ends an offer that has been used for years while shopping to collect points and later exchange them for rewards or vouchers.
The operational business of Deutschlandcard is set to be discontinued by November 30, 2026, at the latest. This decision has already been communicated to employees in a meeting. In total, around 90 employees are affected. Solutions are to be found to cushion the impact as socially as possible. The goal is to create perspectives for the time after the program ends.
The company cites changed conditions as the main reason. Particularly important is the loss of key partners. In recent years, several companies have realigned and exited. A decisive turning point was Edeka’s withdrawal in early 2025. This significantly reduced the program’s reach and attractiveness. Edeka then switched to Payback, which further increased competitive pressure. Under these conditions, continuing was no longer economically viable.
Adjustments Brought No Success
The company had attempted to modernize the offering. This included improvements to the data base, product development, and an overhauled campaign management. The goal was to strengthen the platform as a marketing tool for partners and as a shopping aid for users. Despite these measures, success was not achieved.
According to Dirk Kemmerer, CEO of Bertelsmann Marketing Services, the business was particularly burdened by difficult overall economic conditions and weak demand.
Also of interest: How to collect a lot of points with the Payback app
How Long You Can Still Use Points
For users, little changes initially. The company plans an orderly transition phase. Points can still be collected and credited in the app until the end of October. More time is available for redemption. Collected points can still be used until at least the end of 2027, such as in the rewards shop. The company has not yet provided further details on the process.