Guide
Stamps vs points: which one fits your business?
The short answer: use stamps when guests buy roughly the same thing each visit, and points when the bill varies a lot. The longer answer is about how quickly a regular reaches the first reward — because that, more than the mechanic, decides whether a programme works.
The rule of thumb
| Business | Typical visit | Best fit | Starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café / coffee shop | Daily or weekly, small bill | Stamps | 8 stamps → free drink |
| Bakery / juice bar | Weekly, small bill | Stamps | 8–10 stamps → free item |
| Quick-service restaurant | Weekly, medium bill | Stamps or points | 6 stamps → free meal |
| Casual & fine dining | Monthly, variable bill | Points | 10 points per rial |
| Hotel outlets | Varies from coffee to dinner | Points | Points on outlet spend |
| Hotel stays | A few times a year | Stamps | 5 stays → upgrade |
Getting the numbers right
Aim for six to eight weeks
A regular should reach the first reward within six to eight weeks of normal visits. Longer, and people give up; shorter, and you give away margin.
Price the reward at cost, not retail
A free coffee costs you the ingredients, not the menu price — so a generous-feeling reward can be cheap.
Points need a catalogue
With points, offer a few rewards at different prices so light and heavy spenders both have something to aim for.
Changing your mind later
Programmes evolve. In LoyaltyJuice the programme is versioned, so you can change the reward or the numbers and let guests who are part-way through finish on the rules they started with.
Frequently asked questions
- Are points more complicated for guests?
- Slightly, which is why they suit higher, variable bills where the fairness matters. For a daily coffee, stamps are simpler and just as effective.
- Can I switch from stamps to points?
- Yes. Publish a new version of the programme; guests mid-card can finish their stamps before moving to points.