A customer loyalty program is one of the most reliable ways to increase repeat visits and build a sustainable local business. On Rambla, you can launch one in under ten minutes — no hardware, no printed cards, no third-party app required. Your program lives inside the same app your customers already use to follow your business.
Rambla supports three loyalty formats. The right one depends on how your customers shop and how often they visit.
Key Takeaways
- Three formats fit most local businesses: punch cards, points programs, and memberships
- Punch cards are the fastest to set up and easiest for customers to understand — start here if you're unsure
- All programs run through Rambla's code system — no hardware or POS integration needed
- Keep the reward achievable: an 8–10 stamp punch card outperforms a 20-stamp one almost every time
- Customers see their loyalty card automatically when they follow your business — no extra steps on their end
Which loyalty format is right for your business?
| Format | Best for | How customers earn | |---|---|---| | Punch card | Cafes, bakeries, high-frequency businesses | One stamp per visit | | Points | Restaurants, retailers, variable spend | Points per £ spent or per visit | | Membership | Gyms, studios, community-first businesses | Monthly or annual subscription |
Not sure? Start with a punch card. It's the format customers already understand, and you can always add a points program later.
Setting up a punch card
Punch cards work on a simple mechanic: visit a set number of times, earn a free reward.
Step 1: Define your reward
Go to your merchant dashboard and open the Loyalty tab. Choose Punch card. Set the number of stamps required (8–10 is a good starting point for most businesses) and describe the reward — for example, "Free coffee of your choice."
Step 2: Set your stamp value
Decide what counts as one stamp. Most businesses use one stamp per visit. You can also set a minimum spend threshold — for example, one stamp for every purchase over £5.
Step 3: Generate codes
Rambla uses merchant-generated codes to issue stamps. In your dashboard, tap Generate code each time a customer visits. Give them the code — in person, on a receipt, or via message. They enter it in the Rambla app and the stamp is applied automatically. No internet connection required on your end if you generate codes in advance.
Step 4: Set a redemption window (optional)
You can set an expiry on stamps — for example, stamps expire after 12 months of inactivity. This is optional but recommended for higher-volume programs.
Setting up a points program
Points programs reward customers based on spend or visit count, with redemption once a threshold is reached.
Step 1: Choose your earning structure
In the Loyalty tab, choose Points. Set how customers earn:
- Per visit — a fixed number of points each time they come in
- Per pound spent — points proportional to spend (e.g., 1 point per £1)
Step 2: Set your redemption threshold
Define what a point is worth at redemption. For example: 100 points = £5 off their next purchase. Keep the math simple — customers should be able to track their progress in their head.
Step 3: Define your reward
Describe what customers get when they redeem. This appears on their loyalty card in the Rambla app. Keep it concrete: "£5 off any order" beats "points discount."
Step 4: Issue points
Same as punch cards — generate a code in your dashboard and share it with the customer. They enter it and points are applied automatically.
Setting up a membership
Memberships let customers subscribe to your business for a flat monthly or annual fee in exchange for ongoing perks — discounts, priority access, or exclusive events.
What memberships are best for: businesses with a loyal regular customer base where a subscription makes sense — gyms, yoga studios, coffee shops with a "regulars" community, independent cinemas, or any business running recurring events.
Requirements: Memberships require Stripe Connect, which lets Rambla handle subscription payments on your behalf. Early access is available now — contact us to get set up.
Setting up perks: Once connected, you define the membership name, price, billing cycle, and the perks members receive. Perks can include a percentage discount on purchases, access to members-only events, or priority booking.
Tips for a successful loyalty program
Launch with a strong offer. The first reward should feel achievable. If your punch card requires 20 stamps, most customers will abandon it before they get to 5. Start at 8–10.
Tell customers it exists. Add a line to your till receipts, mention it when customers pay, and post about it from your Rambla storefront. Customers can't join a program they don't know about.
Keep the reward meaningful. Discounts work, but experiential rewards ("skip the queue," "free tasting session") can be more memorable and cost you less margin.
Check your redemption rate. A high redemption rate means customers are engaged. A low one usually means the threshold is too high or the reward isn't appealing enough. You can adjust both freely — changes apply going forward, not retroactively.
What customers see
When a customer follows your business on Rambla, your loyalty card appears automatically in their Rewards tab. They can see their progress, the reward they're working toward, and any active membership perks — all without downloading a separate app or carrying a physical card.
If you want a closer look at how rewards and redemption work from the customer side, check out how Rambla's rewards feature works or read our deeper take on why loyalty programs work for local businesses. For the broader picture of turning first-time visitors into regulars, see how to bring customers back more often.
Ready to get started? Set up your merchant profile and you'll be able to launch your first loyalty program the same day.