Which reward to offer, and how many stamps?
A good reward costs little to give but is worth a lot to the customer, and it arrives within three to six months of normal visits. So work out the number of stamps from how often your regulars come: a café that sees customers every day can aim for 10 stamps, a hairdresser who sees them every six weeks for 5 or 6.
The three rules of a good reward
- It costs little, it’s worth a lot. What matters to you is the cost price; to the customer, the price on the menu. A coffee, a pastry, a quick treatment: low cost, high perceived value.
- It arrives quickly. Beyond six months, most customers forget the card along the way. Aim for three to six months of normal visits.
- It fits in one sentence. “10 coffees = 1 free” needs no explanation. Write it on the card: customers reread it at every visit.
How many stamps?
Start from your regulars’ rhythm, not a round number:
| A regular’s rhythm | Example | Number of stamps |
|---|---|---|
| Several times a week | Café, bakery | 10 |
| Once a week | Pizzeria, wine shop, vape shop | 8 to 10 |
| Every 2 to 4 weeks | Barber, nail salon | 5 to 6 |
| Every 5 to 8 weeks | Hairdresser, beauty salon | 5, or cashback |
Two tricks that get cards filled:
- Give a first stamp at sign-up. A card that’s already started feels closer to the goal, and customers more often see it through.
- Add a milestone along the way on long cards: a small gift at the 5th stamp, the real reward at the 10th.
The real cost of a reward
Take a coffee sold at €2 with a “10 coffees = 1 free” card. To fill the card, the customer spent €20. The free coffee costs you a few cents of coffee and milk: around 2% of what they spent, for a customer who comes back instead of going elsewhere.
The calculation is the same everywhere: the reward’s cost price divided by what the customer spends to earn it. Stay under 5 to 10% and the card pays for itself as soon as it brings one extra customer back.
Ideas by business type
| Business | Formula | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Café | Stamps, 10 drinks | A drink of their choice |
| Bakery | Stamps, 10 visits | A pastry or a loaf |
| Barber | Stamps, 6 cuts | The 7th cut, or a beard trim |
| Nail salon | Stamps, 5 sets | A free set |
| Hairdresser | Cashback, €1 per €20 | A discount on the next service |
| Restaurant | Cashback, €1 per €20 | A discount on the bill, a dessert |
| Pizzeria | Stamps, 10 pizzas | The 11th pizza |
| Florist | Cashback | A bouquet for a special occasion |
| Wine shop | Points | A bottle, a tasting |
Each business type has its own guide with a worked example: see the industry guides.
Stamps, points or cashback?
- Stamps when the ticket varies little and customers come often.
- Points when you sell many different products and want several rewards of increasing value.
- Cashback when amounts vary a lot: everyone is rewarded in line with what they spend.
To go further, see the digital loyalty card guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many stamps should a loyalty card have?
Enough for the reward to arrive within three to six months of normal visits. Multiply a regular's visits per month by 3 to 6: a customer who comes 3 times a month means a card of about 10; one who comes once a month, a card of 5.
Should I offer a product or a discount?
A product or service sticks in the mind better than a percentage: "the 10th coffee free" says more than "10% off". A discount or cashback in euros suits businesses where amounts vary a lot.
What does a reward really cost me?
Its cost price, not its selling price. One free coffee out of ten costs a few cents in ingredients, while the customer values it at menu price. Compared with what the customer spent filling the card, it's often 1 to 5% of their spending.
Should I give a first stamp at sign-up?
It's a good idea: a card that starts with one stamp already feels under way, and customers more often see it through. Simply stamp the card when the customer adds it.
Can I have several rewards on the same card?
Yes, with milestones: a small gift halfway and the real reward at the end, or rewards of increasing value with points. Quardy supports both.
Create your card with your own rules
Stamps, points or cashback, set up in 2 minutes. Free up to 50 customers.