Gratitudes is a Spending Power Network — a new commercial category that connects household bill providers (Issuers) with local merchants (Redeemers) to give everyday consumers value-back they can spend in their community.
Gratitudes are units of spending power issued by bill providers to their customers. They're not points, not cash, and not credit. When a customer pays a bill, they receive Gratitudes — value-back they can use at participating local businesses as part-payment.
Gratitudes was founded by Joseph Raad and is currently piloting in Parramatta, NSW. We're an early-stage network focused on building the infrastructure that connects bill providers, local merchants, and consumers into a single spending ecosystem.
Traditional loyalty programs accumulate points that may or may not be redeemed — and providers often rely on breakage (unredeemed points) for their economics. Gratitudes assumes 100% redemption, creates a network effect between three parties, and is designed as spending power — not a reward. Merchants absorb the cost as a customer acquisition expense, not as a loyalty discount.
For Redeemers (Merchants)
Nothing. Joining Gratitudes as a Redeemer is completely free. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, no commissions on sales, and no contracts.
Yes — and that's the point. When a customer uses Gratitudes, you receive less than full cash for that transaction. That "discount" is your customer acquisition cost — but unlike advertising, you only pay it when a customer actually arrives and purchases. You're never paying to reach someone who doesn't come in.
You set your own acceptance policy — anywhere from 10% to 50% of the transaction value can be paid with Gratitudes. You're always in control. You can change your policy at any time.
We use a simple form at bit.ly/gratitudes-redeem. Recording a transaction takes about 30 seconds. You log the date, business, transaction value, and Gratitudes applied. That's it.
No. The portion of the transaction paid by Gratitudes is treated as your marketing and customer acquisition cost. You are not reimbursed — this is the mechanism that makes the network work without charging you a joining fee.
For Issuers (Bill Providers)
Issuers pay a flat fee of $0.10 (10 cents) per Gratitude issued to a customer. This is the sole cost — there are no redemption fees, no platform charges, and no breakage benefit. All issued Gratitudes are assumed to be fully redeemed.
No. Issuers receive exclusive category rights — only one energy company, one insurer, one telco, etc. can be an Issuer in the network. Being first in your category locks in that position.
Use the contact form on our Issuers page to request a private briefing. We'll walk you through the full commercial model, exclusivity terms, technology architecture, and pilot results in confidence.
For Consumers
Gratitudes are issued by your bill provider — energy company, insurer, telco — when you pay your bill. You don't need to sign up or download anything. Your provider handles it automatically.
At any participating Redeemer business in the network. During the current Parramatta pilot, this means local businesses in Western Sydney. The network will expand as more merchants join and more Issuers come on board.
Gratitudes are designed as spending power, not loyalty points. Expiry terms are determined by your Issuer. Check with your bill provider for specific conditions.