Product Guide

Digital Loyalty Cards That Work

Paper loyalty cards are dying. Discover why 73% of customers prefer digital programmes, and how to choose the right loyalty model for your business.

73%vs27%
Customer preference
89%vs43%
Card retention rate
2.3×vs
Redemption rate
100%vs0%
Data insights

Free tier available · No credit card required · 5-minute setup

What is a Digital Loyalty Card?

A digital loyalty card is the modern evolution of paper punch cards and stamp programmes. Instead of carrying physical cards, customers access their rewards through their smartphone— either via Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or a simple QR code.

Every purchase is tracked automatically. Customers see their progress in real-time. And you get valuable insights into who your customers are and how they behave.

Always in the customer's pocket—never lost or forgotten
Automatic tracking means no more manual counting
Push notifications bring customers back at the right moment
Real data on customer behaviour and preferences

Digital card in Apple/Google Wallet

Always accessible, never forgotten

Why Digital Beats Paper Every Time

Paper loyalty cards served businesses well for decades. But in a mobile-first world, they're holding you back. Here's the head-to-head comparison.

Feature
Paper Cards
Digital Cards
Card loss rate
19% of cards lost or forgotten
0% - always on customer's phone
Setup time
2-4 weeks for printing
5 minutes to go live
Ongoing costs
£50-200/month for printing
Free to £49/month
Customer data
None - anonymous transactions
Full purchase history & insights
Fraud prevention
Easy to fake stamps
Cryptographically secure
Programme changes
Reprint all cards
Update instantly
Environmental impact
Constant paper waste
Zero physical waste
Customer notifications
Not possible
Push notifications & reminders

The verdict is clear: digital loyalty cards outperform paper in every measurable way.

Make the switch today

Choose Your Loyalty Model

Three proven programme types, each with unique psychology and best-fit use cases. Many successful businesses combine multiple models.

Stamp Cards

The classic, modernised

Digital version of the traditional punch card. Customers earn stamps with each purchase and redeem a reward after collecting a set number. Simple, familiar, and highly effective.

Example
Buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free
Best for
Cafés & coffee shopsBakeriesQuick-service restaurantsCar washes
Psychology

Visual progress towards a tangible goal creates anticipation and commitment

78%
Participation rate
67%
Redemption rate

Points Programmes

Flexible rewards currency

Customers earn points based on spend (e.g., 1 point per £1). Points can be redeemed for various rewards, giving customers choice and encouraging higher spending to reach point thresholds.

Example
Earn 10 points per £1, redeem 500 points for £5 off
Best for
Retail shopsRestaurantsSalons & spasMulti-product businesses
Psychology

Accumulated value creates switching costs and encourages consolidating purchases

71%
Participation rate
58%
Redemption rate

Tiered Programmes

Status and exclusivity

Customers unlock higher status tiers based on cumulative spending or visits. Each tier offers better benefits, creating aspirational goals and rewarding your best customers.

Example
Bronze → Silver → Gold with increasing discounts and perks
Best for
Premium brandsHigh-frequency businessesSubscription servicesHospitality
Psychology

Status recognition and fear of losing achieved benefits drive continued loyalty

65%
Participation rate
72%
Redemption rate

Not sure which model fits your business? Stampet supports all three—start with one and evolve.

Try All Programme Types Free

The Psychology of Loyalty

Understanding why loyalty programmes work helps you design more effective rewards. These principles are backed by decades of behavioural research.

Endowed Progress Effect

Customers given a head start (e.g., 2 stamps already on a 12-stamp card) are 82% more likely to complete the card than those starting from zero on a 10-stamp card.

How to apply

Give new members 1-2 welcome stamps to trigger this effect

Loss Aversion

People feel losses twice as strongly as equivalent gains. Expiring points or 'use it or lose it' offers create urgency that drives action.

How to apply

Send 'Your points expire in 7 days' notifications

Variable Rewards

Unpredictable rewards (surprise bonuses, mystery offers) create dopamine spikes that are more engaging than predictable rewards alone.

How to apply

Add occasional bonus stamps or surprise rewards

Social Proof

Seeing others participate validates the decision to join. '5,000 members and counting' signals that the programme is worth joining.

How to apply

Display member counts and testimonials prominently

Goal Gradient Effect

Effort accelerates as people approach a goal. Customers visit more frequently when they're 8/10 stamps than when they're 2/10.

How to apply

Remind customers when they're close to a reward

Reciprocity

When given something of value, people feel obligated to return the favour. Free rewards create goodwill that translates to loyalty.

How to apply

Offer a welcome reward just for signing up

Why Choose Stampet

Purpose-built for UK small businesses. All the power, none of the complexity.

5-Minute Setup

No technical skills required. Create your first digital loyalty card before your coffee gets cold.

Apple & Google Wallet

Customers add your card to their mobile wallet with one tap. Always accessible, never forgotten.

One Universal QR

Unique to Stampet: customers use one QR code everywhere. Simplicity drives participation.

All Programme Types

Stamps, points, tiers—or combine them. Start simple and evolve as your business grows.

Real-Time Analytics

See who's visiting, what's working, and where to improve. Data that drives decisions.

Free to Start

Launch your digital loyalty programme with zero cost. Upgrade only when you're ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about digital loyalty cards.

Ready to Go Digital?

Create your first digital loyalty card in under 5 minutes. Free to start, no credit card required.

Join thousands of UK businesses already using Stampet