Card Types Explained
Cards live inside programs. When you pick a card type you're really picking the design of the wallet pass inside a program. If you're new to the terminology, read Programs, Cards, Campaigns, and Messages first.
Loyalty cards (free for customers)
These cards are free for your customers to install. You use them to reward repeat visits and build loyalty.
Stamp Card
The classic "buy X, get 1 free". Customers collect a stamp on each visit. When the card is full, they earn a reward.
- Best for: coffee shops, bakeries, salons — any business with frequent repeat visits
- Example: "Buy 9 coffees, get 1 free"
Points Card
Customers earn points on each visit or purchase. Points accumulate and can be redeemed for rewards.
- Best for: restaurants, retail stores — when you want flexible reward tiers
- Example: "Earn 10 points per visit, redeem 100 points for a free dessert"
Membership Levels
Multiple tiers (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum) with increasing benefits. Customers climb tiers automatically — you choose whether they level up by visits (how often they come in) or by points earned. You can also give the card a separate redeemable points wallet: points customers spend on rewards, independent of their tier, and you can set them to expire (never, on a rolling window, or a fixed date) to encourage return visits. Spending points never lowers a customer's level.
- Best for: businesses that want to reward their best customers with exclusive perks — and pair visible status with spendable rewards
- Example: "Silver: 5% off, Gold: 10% off + priority booking, Platinum: 15% off + free upgrades — plus 1 point per visit to spend on treats"
Loyalty Card (VIP / Constant Reward)
A simple card with a fixed reward on every visit — no stamps to collect, no points to track. Scan it, get the benefit. It can also carry included benefits — extra perks like a free item every day, a limited set of guest passes, or a standing discount, on top of the fixed reward.
- Best for: member-only discounts, VIP access, "show this card for 10% off"
- Example: "Members get a free appetizer with every meal"
Coupon
A single-use offer. Once redeemed, the coupon is done. Great for attracting new customers.
- Best for: first-time promotions, seasonal offers, event specials
- Example: "20% off your first purchase"
Tip: Coupons can auto-convert to a loyalty card after redemption. A customer uses a "Free coffee" coupon, and their card automatically becomes a stamp card. This turns one-time visitors into regulars.
Paid cards (customer pays via Stripe)
These cards require a payment from the customer before they're added to the wallet. Selling this way is sales-assisted — contact us and we'll connect your Stripe account together. See the Selling with Stripe guide for details.
Want to sell a bundle, store credit, or membership without Stripe — collecting payment yourself instead? That stays fully self-serve: see Selling Bundles, Store Credit & Memberships Yourself.
Bundle (Prepaid Stamps)
Customer pays upfront for a set of visits or items, then redeems them one at a time.
- Best for: service bundles, class packs, treatment packages
- Example: "10 coffees for the price of 9" or "5 yoga classes for €45"
Store Credit
Customer pays a discounted price and receives a higher credit balance to spend.
- Best for: encouraging larger upfront purchases
- Example: "Pay €90, get €100 to spend"
Membership (Subscription)
Customer pays a recurring fee (monthly or yearly) and receives a membership card with ongoing benefits. It can also include included benefits — the same benefits list described above — set up from the program's Setup tab.
- Best for: gyms, clubs, coworking spaces, subscription services
- Example: "€29/month for unlimited classes"
One program = one card
Each program in Passtastic uses exactly one card type. You can't combine two different types on a single card (e.g. a stamp card that's also a points card).
Instead, create a separate program for each offering. A customer can hold multiple cards from your business — for example, a stamp card for coffees and a membership card for VIP benefits. They'll see each of them separately in their wallet.