PAYBACK Card in Germany: How the Program Works and Whether You Should Get One
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PAYBACK is a free multi-partner reward program in Germany. You will often be asked about it at the checkout in supermarkets, drugstores, petrol stations and online shops: if you show your card or app, your purchase earns points. You can spend these points with partners or exchange them for vouchers, products or Miles & More miles.
The program is useful for people who regularly shop with participating partners and are willing to keep track of coupons. However, it is not “free money”: in exchange for points, you share purchase data with the program and its partners, and the actual benefit without coupons is usually small.
What Is PAYBACK?
PAYBACK works as a single loyalty program for different companies. Members receive one customer number, a physical card or a digital card in the app and use it with participating partners.
According to PAYBACK Group, more than 35 million people use the program in Germany, and points can be collected with more than 700 partners offline, online and through mobile channels. The partner list changes, so it is worth checking the official PAYBACK Partner page before registering.
The PAYBACK website and app show your card, coupons, balance and available partner promotions.
PAYBACK was founded in Munich in 2000. Today, the program is especially visible in everyday spending: drugstores, grocery chains, petrol stations, online shops, delivery services, travel and vouchers.
How Points Are Earned
The basic principle is simple: before paying, show your PAYBACK card, the digital card in the app, or activate the online referral through PAYBACK. Points are credited to your account after the purchase. With some online partners, points are initially held during the product return period.
PAYBACK’s official point value is simple: 1 PAYBACK point equals 1 cent. A common base rate is 1 point for every €2 spent, but conditions vary between partners. At petrol stations, for example, points may be calculated per litre, while services may award them per order or contract concluded.
To avoid mistakes, check the terms for the specific partner and coupon in the app: they state whether points are awarded on the entire receipt, selected categories or only above a minimum purchase amount.
How to Register
To take part in PAYBACK, you must:
- be at least 16 years old;
- live in the European Economic Area or Switzerland;
- accept the program terms and conditions.
You can register on the official PAYBACK website, in the app or through a partner. Once registered, you can use your customer number and digital card without waiting for a physical card.
When registering, carefully review the consents for personalised advertising, market research, postal mailings and digital notifications. Taking part in the program should not require you to agree to everything.
An example screen for choosing marketing consents.
What Data Does PAYBACK Collect?
PAYBACK and its partners process registration data, information about point credits and purchase information. The scope depends on the partner and type of purchase. In its FAQ, PAYBACK states that pharmacy purchases may transmit product categories or groups rather than specific medicines, where this is provided for in the terms.
If you have agreed to personalised advertising and market research, data may be used for coupons, offers and analyses of shopping behaviour. You can withdraw this consent. After withdrawal, the program can continue to work for collecting points, but personalisation and certain advertising services will be limited.
Before using it actively, it is worth reading:
- PAYBACK’s data protection FAQ;
- information about consent to advertising and market research;
- PAYBACK terms of participation.
How to Check Your Balance
Your balance is available in your PAYBACK account and in the app.
An example of viewing the balance in an account.
The app is convenient because it shows your card, coupons and warnings about points that may expire soon.
When Do Points Expire?
Under PAYBACK rules, points are valid for 36 months from the time they are credited to or registered on your account. They usually expire on 30 September of the relevant year. The account and app show points at risk of Punkteverfall (expiry) in advance.
If a PAYBACK Visa or PAYBACK American Express is linked to the account, PAYBACK states that points are automatically exempt from the normal expiry rule while the member remains active. If there have been no point credits for three years, the conditions may differ, so occasional users should still check their balance.
How to Spend Points
Redemption is usually available from 200 points, or €2. The main options are:
- pay for part of a purchase with a partner at the checkout or through the app;
- exchange points for a shopping voucher or e-voucher;
- choose products in the rewards shop;
- transfer points to Miles & More at a 1:1 rate from 200 points;
- donate points through PAYBACK Spendenwelt.
When redeeming for products, compare the price with regular shops. Sometimes it is better to use points as money with a partner than to choose an item from the catalogue.
How to Earn More Points
Coupons
Coupons are PAYBACK’s main tool. They offer multiple points or fixed extra points, but almost always have conditions: an expiry date, a specific partner, a product category, a minimum amount or exclusions.
An example of a partner coupon in the app.
It is important to read the fine print on coupons: some promotions apply only to selected product groups.
Online Shopping Through PAYBACK
For online shopping, start from the PAYBACK website or app and do not block the necessary cookies. If you put an item in your basket first and only then open PAYBACK, the points may not be credited. Points for online orders often become available only after the return period ends.
An example partner online offer: check the terms and crediting period before making a purchase.
Regular Partners
PAYBACK is more worthwhile if you already shop with participating partners. If you choose a more expensive shop or buy unnecessary items just for the points, the bonus quickly loses its value.
PAYBACK American Express
PAYBACK American Express is a separate credit card connected to the PAYBACK program. It can increase the number of points you earn because it awards points not only with PAYBACK partners but also for regular card purchases.
The key conditions that PAYBACK and American Express state for Germany are:
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €0 for the main card and the first additional card |
| Point earning | 1 PAYBACK point for every €3 spent on the card, subject to exclusions in the terms |
| With PAYBACK partners | You can receive the partner’s regular points plus points for paying with Amex |
| Foreign currency | 2% fee for transactions not made in euros |
| Cash withdrawal | 4%, minimum €5 |
| Repayment | The full amount is collected monthly from a current account; instalment payments are not available |
| Card acceptance | American Express is not accepted everywhere, especially in smaller shops |
The card can make sense if you reliably pay the full bill, frequently use it for euro payments and do not use it to withdraw cash. For travel outside the eurozone and for cash machines, another card without these fees is usually better.
PAYBACK Pros and Cons
Pros
- free registration;
- a clear rate of 1 point = 1 cent;
- many partners in Germany;
- coupons can noticeably increase the benefit;
- points can be spent as a discount, vouchers, miles or donations;
- the app makes it easy to see your balance and coupons.
Cons
- without coupons, the benefit is often small;
- partners and point-earning rules change;
- some points are held until the return period is over;
- the program collects purchase data;
- points expire if you do not use them for a long time;
- the PAYBACK American Express card is not suitable for cash withdrawals or transactions in other currencies.
Should You Get PAYBACK?
The regular PAYBACK card is worth considering if you shop regularly with participating partners and are prepared to manage your advertising consents. For newcomers to Germany, it is a simple way to receive a small discount without a membership fee.
User examples can help you understand PAYBACK use cases, but they do not replace calculating the benefit based on your shops, coupons and spending.
You should not get PAYBACK if you do not want the program to link purchases to your profile, or if points lead you to buy more or spend more.
PAYBACK American Express should be considered separately: it is a credit card involving a creditworthiness check, fees and monthly collection. It is better to choose it not for the welcome bonus, but after reviewing your regular spending, Amex acceptance in your shops and alternative credit cards.
FAQ
Is PAYBACK Free?
Yes, participation in the standard program is free. Separate financial products, such as credit cards, have their own terms and fees.
How Much Is 1 PAYBACK Point Worth?
One point equals 1 cent. One hundred points equal €1.
From What Age Can You Participate?
From age 16, provided you live in the EEA or Switzerland.
Can You Opt Out of Advertising?
Yes. You can decline marketing consents or withdraw them later. However, certain personalised services may then be unavailable.
Does PAYBACK Replace Bank Cashback?
No. It is a partner loyalty program, not universal bank cashback. The benefit depends on where you shop and which coupons you activate.
