Campaign Rewards: Push, Pass, and Staff Messages
On the Review & turn on screen of the campaign editor, you'll see three different message fields. Each one shows up in a different place. Understanding the difference is the single biggest thing that will make your campaigns effective.
New to campaigns? Start with Messages and Campaigns.
The three fields at a glance
| Field (as labeled in the editor) | Where the customer sees it | Where your staff sees it |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 The message on their phone | On the phone's lock screen | — |
| 💳 What appears on their card | Inline on the wallet pass | — |
| 🧑💼 What your staff sees at the counter | — | On the scanner app, next to an Apply button |
📱 The message on their phone (push notification)
The short text that pops up on your customer's phone when the campaign fires. A live lock-screen preview updates as you type, right next to the field.
- Required for every campaign and message.
- Delivered through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet (not SMS or email).
- Keep it under 160 characters for best delivery — go longer and the editor's counter turns amber, with a note that longer messages get trimmed on the lock screen (the full text still shows on the card).
- Plain text only — no links, images, or formatting.
Good examples:
- "Happy birthday! Enjoy a free coffee on us today 🎂"
- "We miss you! Come back for 20% off your next visit this week"
- "Happy hour starts now — 2-for-1 until 7pm"
Why it matters: This is the hook. If the push is boring, customers won't open the card. Be specific about the offer and when it's valid.
💳 What appears on their card (pass message)
Optional text that shows up inside the customer's wallet pass — on the front of the card, in a dedicated offer area.
- Optional. Leave blank for push-only campaigns (these render as `MESSAGE` in your Campaigns tab).
- Stays visible until the offer expires or is claimed, so it's a reminder the customer can come back to.
- Good for rewards that customers need to redeem in person.
Good examples:
- "Show this at the counter for 15% off"
- "Bonus: +2 stamps on your next visit"
- "Your free birthday drink is ready — valid through Sunday"
Why it matters: Pushes disappear from the lock screen in minutes. The pass message stays on the wallet pass, so if a customer checks their phone an hour later, they can still see what the offer is.
🧑💼 What your staff sees at the counter (scanner message)
The text your cashier sees on the scanner app when they scan this customer's card and the campaign is active.
- Required once you've filled in the card message — the editor shows an inline reminder if you try to turn it on or save it without one.
- Not shown to the customer.
- Should be written for the cashier — direct and instructional.
Good examples:
- "15% off — birthday treat"
- "Free coffee — week 1 of win-back"
- "Priority seating — Gold member perk"
Why it matters: When three people walk in at rush hour, your cashier needs to know what to do in under two seconds. Keep the scanner message short, specific, and action-oriented.
How they work together
For a birthday campaign with a 15% discount at the counter, you might write:
- Push: "Happy birthday! Tap for a 15% treat today 🎂"
- Pass: "Show this at the counter for 15% off"
- Staff: "15% off — birthday"
When a scanner later scans the customer's card: 1. The cashier sees "Active offers" with "15% off — birthday" and an Apply button. 2. They tap Apply; the customer sees "Offer applied" on the scanner. 3. The offer is marked claimed in your analytics.
See What Your Staff Sees When a Campaign Is Active for the scanner-side walkthrough.