The rumoured Google Play Points loyalty rewards program found earlier this month has become official overnight, with Google launching the program in Japan.
As expected there are five levels of reward, much like a frequent flyer program ranging from Bronze, up through Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Loyalty points are awarded for every ¥100 (about AUD $1.23) spent on apps, games, IAP for purchases and subscriptions, as well as media content including Books, Music and Movies. Google says you can use your points ‘to unlock special items in apps and games or convert to Google Play Credit’.
A tracker for Google Play Points has been included in the Google Play app, with a ‘Play Points’ section added to the nav drawer.
The levels for Google Play Points and how many you’ll need to ‘level up’ looks like this:
- Bronze level (up to 249 points):
- 1 point earned for every ¥100 spent
- Silver level (250–999 points):
- 1.25 points earned for every ¥100 spent
- 1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
- 1 ¥100 movie rental
- Gold level (1,000–3,999 points):
- 1.5 points earned for every ¥100 spent
- +1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
- 2 ¥500 ebook credits
- +2 ¥100 movie rentals
- Platinum level (4,000–14,999 points):
- 1.75 points earned for every ¥100 spent.
- +1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
- +4 ¥500 ebook credits
- +4 ¥100 movie rentals
- Diamond level (more than 15,000 points):
- 2 points earned for every ¥100 spent
- +2 ¥300 credits for in-app items
- +6 ¥500 ebook credits
- +5 ¥100 movie rentals
The reward levels appear to expire a the end of each calendar year, with Google saying ‘When you reach a new level, you’ll stay at that level until the end of the next calendar year. At the start of each calendar year, your level might change based on how many points you earned the year before’.
The program is definitely only live in Japanese territories for now, and there’s no word on when (or if) it will extend further, with that eventuality likely depending on the success (or failure) of the service in Japan.
Do you think they have a Map on a dart board somewhere that they use to decide what geographical region gets what items first? 😉