Apple Pay’s new loyalty rewards program got some attention at this week’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference, but not so fast: It’s expected to take months for the rollout.
The technology required to get customers their points could take a while to implement, 9to5Mac reports. Makers of the terminals that are used to support Apple Pay will first need to enable the new function, which may be a lengthy process. The new feature is expected to roll out starting in the fall.
Point-of-Sale device maker Verifone said it would be the first to allow the Apple Pay loyalty rewards system to function on its terminals. Vin D’Agostino, Verifone’s executive vice president of commerce enablement, said in a statement:
Adding loyalty to Apple Pay will open a world of opportunity for a wide range of merchants to engage consumers and grow their businesses. We are proud to support Apple Pay in expanding contactless payments to include loyalty. This is a powerful reminder of Verifone’s expertise and expansive client relationships, as we continue to simplify payments and enhance customer engagement opportunities for our merchants.
9to5Mac also reported that six retailers will be offering the Apple Pay rewards programs first: Dunkin’ Donuts, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Panera, Wegman’s and Whole Foods.