Unfair on Rewards Programme

I have had a Ackermans Rewards card for a long time. Some time back, the cashier at Ackermans told me that the Rewards programme is on hold and i should keep the card and wait for an update. I have continued shopping at Ackermans without them swiping the card. I telephoned the Head Office a few times to be told that a new programme will be replacing the old one. Last week i called again to be told that the old programme does not work and my points are no longer valid. How is this fair and transparent, getting customers to have a rewards programme and then to discontinue it without allowing us to use our points?