Co-Brand Debit Application Platform

Galileo's Co-Brand Debit Application Platform (CDAP) enables companies in travel, hospitality, and retail to launch loyalty-driven debit card programs to customers. This solution is powered by a white-label mobile and web application that is customized to look and feel like your brand, facilitating seamless customer onboarding and ongoing digital interaction.

Co-branded rewards debit cards give customers who prefer to use a debit card as their primary card—or those who are credit-averse—the ability to earn rewards such as points for everyday purchases, features that are traditionally reserved for credit cardholders. A co-branded debit rewards card can help increase customer engagement, build brand recognition and loyalty, and capture new lines of revenue for your business.

As a program managed, full-stack solution, Galileo acts as an extension of your business. We manage all aspects of the program through a partnership between you, Galileo, and a sponsor bank. Additionally, Galileo account and card services, transaction processing, rewards calculation, and risk management.

Co-branded debit cards are currently available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Co-brand debit use cases

Common uses cases include:

Boost brand loyalty for a hotel chain

In a recent analysis, Sunnyside Hotels observes an increase in bookings made with debit cards, up 20% from last year alone. Hotel management decides to extend their existing rewards credit card to debit cardholders to increase customer and brand loyalty. The debit card program offers 10% off of bookings made with the debit card, plus complimentary upgrades for multiple night stays. This proves to be an attractive option for their customer base, as they receive 500 applications in the first 30 days of offering the debit card. Sunnyside Hotels captures the interchange on card transactions and recaptures revenue from direct bookings through their website.

Expand reach of an airline's rewards program

Up & Away Airlines has had a successful co-branded credit card and rewards program for a few years. In their yearly review, they see that new credit account openings have slowed, with 20% of customers citing concerns with opening a line of credit, or that they were declined for the credit card after receiving an email to apply. They also observe that 47% of flights were purchased using a debit card. The airline leadership decides to launch a co-branded debit card to extend their reach to debit cardholders with a goal to increase loyalty, brand recognition, and ultimately generate a new line of revenue. The co-brand debit offering includes a 500 point sign-on bonus and 2x points for everyday purchases, which customers can convert into miles for domestic travel or other perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and seat upgrades.

Customer experience

On a recent flight, Becky learns about the new co-branded debit card and rewards program. Becky has not been interested in the Up & Away Airlines rewards credit card because it would require her to open a new line of credit, but she is interested in the debit card offering. She knows she can take advantage of the rewards points with upcoming holiday travel and decides to sign up. After opening an account, Becky deposits funds into the account and receives a digital card which she uses to purchase her flight for holiday travel. She also makes this card her primary for merchants like Netflix and Verizon to start accruing points on everyday purchases.

Benefits

• Build brand loyalty and increase customer engagement — Provide ongoing incentives that keep customers within your brand’s ecosystem.
• Competitive differentiation — Attract new and existing customers with a differentiated rewards experience.
• Increase direct spend — Encourage customers to purchase directly with you, reducing reliance on third-party platforms such as booking sites or marketplaces.
• Generate new revenue streams — Generate interchange revenue and drive incremental spending on branded services.
• Personalize your offering through data-driven insights — Leverage transaction insights to offer targeted promotions and refine the program over time.

What this means for your customers

• Greater financial flexibility — Offer a debit alternative to traditional credit cards, avoiding interest charges and debt accumulation.
• Access to rewards benefits — Earn rewards on everyday debit card purchases and enhanced experiences.
• New perks and discounts — Access to exclusive benefits tied to your debit rewards card program, such as room upgrades at hotels, priority boarding on airlines, or discounts at participating retail stores.

Supported in-app experiences

CDAP supports the following user journeys, powered by Galileo’s Program API:

• Onboarding/account opening (with CIP/KYC)
• Authentication (log-in via credentials or biometrics)
• Card issuance (digital and physical cards)
• Secure external account linking
• Account-to-account transfers (for accounts the individual owns)
• Instant account funding via debit card
• Account Dashboard
  • View account and account details
  • Transaction history
  • View statements
• Account settings
  • View/edit profile
  • Preferences
  • Device management
• Card management
  • View and activate debit card
  • Mobile wallet provisioning
  • Lock/unlock card
  • Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card
• Electronic bill pay to service providers*
• View Rewards ID and balance
• Mobile deposit*
• SSO integration*
• Expedited account opening*

CDAP also sends cardholders alerts for account verification, manages security features like password resets, and notifies them of account and card status changes.

*Features planned for release in early 2026.

Customer onboarding experience

When your customer wants to open a co-branded rewards debit card, their experience can be as simple as this:

1. Open the Rewards mobile app.
2. Select the Open a Rewards Debit Card option.
3. Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
4. Set up login credentials (username and password).
5. Enter a Rewards ID.
6. Provide personal information, including legal first and last name, country of citizenship, SSN, address, and mobile phone number (optional).
7. Consent to necessary legal disclosures and cardholder agreements.
8. On the Dashboard, view the account balance, rewards balance, and set up direct deposit to take advantage of the onboarding rewards or instantly add funds from an external account.
9. Receive a digital card in the mobile app which can be used immediately. A physical card with the PAN, CVV, and expiry date is sent to the home address provided during enrollment.

Below is an example of the mobile app experience:

What you provide

• Marketing and brand awareness — Leverage your brand recognition and consumer trust to acquire customers to your co-brand debit program.
• Rewards program design — You bring your deep knowledge of your customers and what they value to design your rewards program with Galileo’s assistance.

See the Co-Brand Debit Program Features for details on the full-stack solution. Contact Galileo if you are interested in launching a co-brand debit program.