Digital payments in Nepal have grown faster than anyone imagined. If you’ve used eSewa, you’re probably familiar with Reward Points, the little incentives you earned whenever you paid bills, recharged your phone, or scanned QR codes at local shops.
Recently, eSewa made a major announcement: Reward Points are now part of a bigger, more flexible system called Fonepoints. This isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a massive upgrade in how you earn, track, and spend your rewards.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything: how it works, how to join, how it affects you, tips to maximize your points, and even real-life examples of how points can save you money or get you exclusive offers.
A Look Back: eSewa Reward Points
Reward Points were eSewa’s way of saying “thank you” for using the app. The more you used it, the more points you earned.
How it worked:
- Paying bills: Electricity, water, internet, or school fees. Points were earned based on the amount paid.
- Mobile recharge: Prepaid top-ups rewarded points, often with small bonus multipliers during promotions.
- QR payments at merchants: Coffee shops, stationery stores, and small restaurants offered points when you scanned their QR codes.
The system was simple, but limiting. You could only use points inside eSewa, and if you used other apps like Fonepay, the rewards were separate. It felt like having pieces of treasure scattered across multiple chests—you couldn’t enjoy the full value in one place.
Why Fonepoints Is a Game-Changer
Fonepoints is more than just an upgrade. It’s a centralized, flexible, and rewarding loyalty system designed to give you more control and benefits.
1. Consolidated Rewards
No more juggling points across apps. With Fonepoints, all your points—whether from eSewa or other partner apps—are consolidated.
Example: If you have 500 eSewa points and 300 Fonepay points, previously you had to redeem them separately. Now, all 800 points are in one place, ready to spend at partner merchants.
2. More Redemption Options
Fonepoints partners with a wider network: coffee shops, online stores, restaurants, movie tickets, and even experiences. Your points now feel real—they can get you things you actually use.
Example: Use points to get:
- A discounted coffee at your favorite café
- Partial payment for groceries online
- Movie tickets with friends during the weekend
3. Earn Points Across Multiple Apps
Fonepoints allows points from multiple partner apps to accumulate in the same account.
Example: Pay your electricity bill via eSewa and order food through Fonepay—both transactions add points to your Fonepoints wallet. This encourages active digital payment usage.
4. Better Deals and Bonuses
Fonepoints regularly runs special offers—bonus points during festivals, seasonal discounts, and merchant-specific deals. It’s a much more exciting and rewarding system compared to the old Reward Points.
Example: During Tihar, Fonepoints might give double points on grocery purchases or bonus points for topping up mobile phones.
How the Transition Works
Switching from eSewa Reward Points to Fonepoints is simple but requires consent.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open the eSewa app and log in.
- Navigate to the Reward Points section on the home screen.
- Tap Proceed and accept the updated Terms & Conditions.
- Your old points automatically move to Fonepoints.
- From now on, all eligible transactions earn Fonepoints.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip consent—you’ll miss out on all the new offers and bonuses if you stay in the old system.
Comparing Old Reward Points vs Fonepoints
| Feature | eSewa Reward Points | Fonepoints |
|---|---|---|
| Apps Covered | Only eSewa | eSewa, Fonepay, and partner apps |
| Redemption Options | Limited | Expanded (cafes, restaurants, online, offline) |
| Management | eSewa only | Centralized dashboard |
| Deals & Offers | Basic | Seasonal, festival-specific, partner bonuses |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
Clearly, Fonepoints gives you more freedom, more ways to earn, and more ways to spend your points.
Nepali Section
पुराना पोइन्टहरू अब के हुन्छन्?
eSewa Reward Points अब Fonepoints मा ट्रान्सफर हुन्छन्। पुराना पोइन्टहरू हराउँदैनन्, तर तपाईंले सहमति दिनु पर्नेछ।
मैले के गर्नुपर्छ?
- eSewa एप खोल्नुहोस्।
- “Reward Points” सेक्सनमा जानुहोस्।
- “Proceed” थिच्नुहोस् र Terms & Conditions स्वीकार गर्नुहोस्।
- पुराना पोइन्टहरू Fonepoints मा ट्रान्सफर हुन्छन्।
- भविष्यमा Fonepoints कमाउन सकिन्छ।
यसले मलाई के फाइदा?
- सबै पोइन्ट एउटै प्लेटफर्ममा।
- प्रयोग गर्न सकिने ठाउँ बढ्छ।
- नयाँ अफरहरूको पहुँच।
Story-Driven Example: How Fonepoints Works in Real Life
Imagine it’s Tihar season. You’re buying gifts for friends and family. Here’s how Fonepoints makes life easier:
- Pay Bills and Earn Points: Electricity, water, and internet bills are paid through eSewa. Points are automatically credited to your Fonepoints wallet.
- Mobile Top-Up: You recharge your phone via Fonepay and earn points again.
- Shopping: Grocery shopping online earns extra points, maybe with a bonus multiplier because it’s a festive season.
- Coffee Break: Redeem points for a coffee at your favorite café while running errands.
- Movie Night: Use points for partial payment on tickets with friends.
In the old system, points were scattered. With Fonepoints, every transaction counts, and your points are much more valuable and easier to use.
Seasonal & Festival Tips
- Dashain & Tihar: Double points on grocery or gift shopping, special festival vouchers.
- New Year Promotions: Extra points on mobile recharge or bill payments.
- Back-to-School Season: Discounts or points on stationery and school essentials.
- Weekend Deals: Use points for entertainment, coffee, or movie discounts.
Pro Tip: Always check Fonepoints app before big shopping trips. Offers change frequently, and using points strategically can save you hundreds of rupees.
Tips to Maximize Your Fonepoints
- Redeem Strategically: Don’t waste points on small items. Look for deals that give real value.
- Track Points Regularly: Points can expire, so check your balance and upcoming expiration dates.
- Connect All Apps: Link Fonepay, eSewa, and other partner apps for maximum points.
- Seasonal Awareness: Festivals and seasonal promotions are perfect times to maximize points.
- Combine Transactions: If you can, make bigger transactions together to get more points and bonus multipliers.
FAQs
Q: What happens to my old eSewa points?
A: They’re merged into Fonepoints once you give consent.
Q: Can I skip joining Fonepoints?
A: Yes, but you’ll miss all new offers and bonuses.
Q: How do I earn points?
A: Eligible transactions on eSewa, Fonepay, and partner apps earn points.
Q: Can points be converted into cash?
A: No. Points can only be used for discounts, vouchers, or offers.
Q: How long do points last?
A: Validity depends on the program; always check your Fonepoints wallet regularly.
Conclusion
Switching from eSewa Reward Points to Fonepoints is a massive upgrade for anyone using digital payments in Nepal. It centralizes points, makes earning easier across apps, expands redemption options, and gives access to special deals and bonuses.
Think of your old Reward Points as small sparks—they were nice, but limited. Fonepoints turns them into a flame, letting you spend smarter, save more, and enjoy perks you didn’t have before.
If you’re active on eSewa or Fonepay, give consent, move your points to Fonepoints, and start taking full advantage. Points aren’t cash, but used wisely, they can save you real money, give you fun experiences, and make your everyday payments more rewarding.