Choose the Right Digital Loyalty Card Type
“Which type of loyalty card is right for me?”
Each card type is designed for different business models and customer behaviors. Find the perfect match for your loyalty program goals.
The Problem
Too many loyalty program options make it confusing to choose the right approach for your business type and customer base.
- Unsure which loyalty structure fits your business
- Don’t know what motivates your customers most
- Worried about choosing the wrong approach
- Want flexibility to experiment with different types
- Need guidance on best practices
Our Solution
Kardly offers 6 proven card types, each designed for specific business models and customer behaviors.
- Clear guidance on which card type fits your business
- Ability to test different approaches
- Proven templates for each industry
- Flexibility to switch between types
- Expert recommendations based on business type
6 Types of Digital Loyalty Cards
Each type serves different business needs and customer behaviors. Choose one or combine to create the perfect loyalty experience.
🎟️ Stamp Cards
Best for: Simple rewards, cafes, retail stores
Perfect for simple “buy X, get 1 free” loyalty programs. Customers collect stamps with each purchase.
WHEN TO USE: When you want a simple, easy-to-understand loyalty program that encourages repeat visits.
EXAMPLES:
- Buy 9 coffees, get 1 free
- Buy 5 pizzas, get 1 free
- Get a free haircut after 8 visits
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Easy for customers to understand
- ✓ Simple to set up and manage
- ✓ Works great for fixed-price items
- ✓ Instant visual progress for customers
💯 Points Cards
Best for: Variable pricing, restaurants, services
Customers earn points based on purchase amount or frequency, redeemable for rewards or discounts.
WHEN TO USE: When your business has variable pricing or you want to reward based on spending amount.
EXAMPLES:
- Earn 10 points for every $1 spent, redeem 500 points for $50 off
- Earn 1 point per visit, unlock special rewards at different point levels
- Double points on weekdays between 2-5 PM
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Flexible reward structure
- ✓ Encourages higher spending
- ✓ Can offer multiple reward options
- ✓ Easy to run promotions (double points, etc.)
🏆 Tier Cards
Best for: Gamification, long-term engagement
Create gamified loyalty with point thresholds that unlock new tiers and increasing benefits.
WHEN TO USE: When you want to gamify the experience and motivate customers to reach point thresholds for tier progression.
EXAMPLES:
- Bronze (100 pts), Silver (500 pts), Gold (1000 pts) with increasing benefits
- Level up after reaching point milestones to unlock exclusive rewards
- Tier-based discounts that increase with customer loyalty tier
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Creates engaging, game-like experience
- ✓ Motivates long-term customer engagement
- ✓ Clear progression path keeps customers interested
- ✓ Allows for tier-based reward differentiation
⭐ Continuous Cards
Best for: Recurring rewards, subscription-like benefits
Automatically reward customers when they reach certain milestones, with rewards that reset and continue.
WHEN TO USE: When you want to create an ongoing reward cycle that keeps customers coming back.
EXAMPLES:
- Every 10th visit gets 20% off, then counter resets
- Automatic birthday rewards
- Seasonal milestone rewards
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Automatic reward detection
- ✓ Creates predictable reward cycles
- ✓ Encourages habitual visits
- ✓ No manual redemption needed
🏷️ Coupon Cards
Best for: Promotions, new customer acquisition
Single-use digital coupons to drive immediate sales and attract new customers.
WHEN TO USE: When you want to drive immediate sales or attract new customers with limited-time offers.
EXAMPLES:
- Get 10% off your next visit—valid until June 1st
- Buy one, get one free - limited time offer
- First-time customer special: 20% off
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Creates urgency to purchase
- ✓ Great for attracting new customers
- ✓ Easy to track redemption rates
- ✓ Perfect for time-limited promotions
📄 Flyer Cards
Best for: Information sharing, event promotion
Digital flyers to share information, menus, event details, or announcements.
WHEN TO USE: When you want to distribute information that customers can access from their wallet.
EXAMPLES:
- Digital menu cards
- Event invitations
- Membership information cards
- Special announcements
KEY BENEFITS:
- ✓ Always accessible from wallet
- ✓ Can include links and contact info
- ✓ Update content anytime
- ✓ Eco-friendly alternative to paper flyers
Quick Selection Guide
Not sure which card type to choose? Use this guide to find the perfect match for your business.
☕ Coffee Shops & Cafes
Fixed pricing, repeat customers
Recommended: Stamp Cards Example: “Buy 9, get 1 free”
🍽️ Restaurants
Variable pricing, different meal values
Recommended: Points Cards Example: “Earn points based on spending”
✂️ Salons & Spas
Long-term engagement, gamification
Recommended: Tier Cards Example: “Earn points to level up”
🛍️ Retail Stores
Ongoing promotions, variable products
Recommended: Points or Tier Cards Example: “Earn points on purchases, unlock tiers”
🎯 Special Promotions
Limited-time offers, grand openings
Recommended: Coupon Cards Example: “Time-limited offers with urgency”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple card types?
Absolutely! Many businesses run different card types for different purposes - like points cards for regular loyalty and coupon cards for special promotions.
Which card type works best for new businesses?
Stamp cards are often the best starting point - they’re simple to understand, easy to explain, and proven to work across most business types.
Do all card types work with Google Wallet?
Yes! All our card types are fully compatible with Google Wallet. Customers can add any card type to their mobile wallet with one tap.
Complete Loyalty Solution
Card types are just the beginning. Explore our complete loyalty platform.
- Scanner App - Quick and easy way to validate cards at the counter. Works on any smartphone. Learn more →
- Remote Rewards - Reward customers for online orders and delivery. Perfect for modern businesses. Learn more →
Ready to Choose Your Card Type?
Create your first digital loyalty card in minutes. No commitment - you can always change your approach as you learn what works best.
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