These are example set-ups, not case studies of real businesses. Each one pairs a reward and stamp count with how often customers of that kind of business tend to visit. Adjust the numbers to suit your own prices and regulars.
1. Coffee shop
The card: buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free. Staff scan the customer's card with each paid drink.
Why it fits: coffee is bought often, so a regular fills the card in a few weeks and the reward always feels close. It's also the best-known loyalty card there is, so nobody needs it explained.
2. Bakery
The card: 8 stamps on purchases over €3 earns a free loaf or pastry.
Why it fits: the minimum spend stops a single roll from earning a stamp, and a fresh loaf feels like a proper reward while costing relatively little to make.
3. Restaurant
The card: eat with us 6 times and get a free starter or dessert on your 7th visit.
Why it fits: people eat out less often than they buy coffee, so the card is shorter. A starter or dessert is a treat without giving away a whole meal, and it may introduce people to dishes they come back for.
4. Hair salon
The card: after 5 cuts, get a free treatment such as a conditioning treatment or a blow-dry.
Why it fits: clients usually book every few weeks, so even a short card takes a while to fill. A free treatment gives them a taste of a service they might start paying for.
5. Gym or fitness studio
The card: check in 10 times and earn a free class or a guest pass.
Why it fits: stamps tied to visits rather than payments reward people for turning up, which is what keeps a membership feeling worth it.
6. Pet shop
The card: buy 10 bags of food, get the 11th free.
Why it fits: pet food is bought on a fairly fixed schedule. A card gives owners a reason to keep buying it from you rather than adding it to the supermarket shop.
7. Juice bar or smoothie shop
The card: collect 7 stamps, get a free smoothie.
Why it fits: a shorter card means the reward comes round quickly, which helps where there are several similar places nearby.
8. Car wash
The card: 5 washes earns a free upgrade to the premium wash.
Why it fits: visits are irregular, so the card is short. The upgrade lets customers try the premium wash, and some will keep paying for it.
9. Bookshop
The card: a stamp on each visit where you spend over €10; 8 stamps earns €5 off.
Why it fits: independent bookshops rarely win on price. A card rewards the people who choose to shop there anyway.
10. Nail salon
The card: after 6 manicures, get a free gel upgrade or nail art.
Why it fits: appointments come round every few weeks, and the reward introduces clients to extras they may add to future bookings.
What the examples have in common
- They're simple: every card can be described in one sentence.
- They match how often people visit: a regular should be able to finish a card in a month or two.
- Rewards show off extras: a free upgrade or add-on introduces customers to things they might pay for later.
- A minimum spend where needed: it stops very small purchases from earning stamps.
Any of these can be set up in RewardForge: you choose the reward, the picture and the number of stamps. It's free for 30 days.