Loyalty programs bring customers back, but badly run ones leak margin through unlimited discounts and untracked liabilities. Here is how to design points, cards and discounts that pay for themselves.

A loyalty program is a promise to give value back later. If you do not track that promise properly, it becomes a hidden debt. If you do not control who gives discounts, it becomes a hidden cost. Both are easy to fix.

Design points simply

Choose points per amount spent and the value of a point, for example 1 point per Rs 100 with each point worth Rs 1. Earn points on what the customer actually paid, set redemption limits, and use tiers and bonus-point campaigns to reward your best customers.

Make joining easy

Enrol members by name and mobile number and print member cards if you like. At the till the cashier types the mobile number or scans the card to see the tier and points, and the customer can pay with points.

Prepaid store and gift cards

Store and gift cards with a 16-digit number are popular gifts. Remember that the balance is money you owe the customer until the card is used.

Book points and cards as liabilities

Points and card balances are liabilities in the accounts: value you owe customers in goods. Hayat posts them that way, so your balance sheet stays honest and you can see the value of points outstanding at any time.

Control every discount

  • Discount reasons with a default and a highest percentage.
  • Supervisor approval above the limit.
  • Promotions and single-use coupons.
  • One report and log for every discount given, by whom and why.

Bank card offers

Offers such as "20% off with this bank's cards" bring footfall, but only if you claim the bank's share. Hayat recognises the card from its first digits, applies the offer, records the bank's share and helps you claim it. Read our bank card offers guide.

One program everywhere

Points, store cards, coupons and bank offers should work at the till, in the online shop, on sales invoices, and at hotel, travel, school and hospital desks if you run them. Customers see their points and tier in the customer portal and the Hayat My app.

Measure it

Track members active in the last 90 days, members by tier, points outstanding and their value, points earned and used this month, and store-card balances. Hayat AI can also show promotion results, build customer segments and suggest the best time to send a campaign.

See loyalty, cards and offers in Hayat ERP.

Read more about Loyalty & gift cards in Hayat ERP, or book a demo.

Frequently asked questions

How should loyalty points be valued?

Set a clear earning rate and point value, for example 1 point per Rs 100 spent with each point worth Rs 1, earn points only on what the customer paid, and record outstanding points as a liability in your accounts.

Are gift card balances income?

Not when sold. Selling or loading a gift card is money received, but the balance is owed to the customer until the card is used, so it is held as a liability.