Digital loyalty card: what it is, how it works and what it costs

The classic stamp card, but inside your customer’s phone. Here’s how it works, what changes for your business and what to check before choosing one.

23 October 2026 Β· 4 min read

What a digital loyalty card is

It’s the phone version of the paper stamp card. Instead of carrying it in their wallet, the customer saves it in their phone’s wallet: Apple Wallet on iPhone or Google Wallet on Android, the same place they keep boarding passes and cinema tickets.

Every time they come back, your team scans the card with any phone and the stamp or points appear instantly. When the card is complete, a notification lands on their lock screen: Β«Your free coffee is readyΒ».

How it works, step by step

  1. You design the card. You choose the programme type (stamps, points, prepaid pass, members’ club…), upload your logo and decide the reward.
  2. You put a QR code on the counter. You can also share a link on Instagram, WhatsApp or your website.
  3. The customer scans it with their camera, types their name and email or mobile, and taps Β«Add to walletΒ». It takes about 10 seconds and they don’t download any app.
  4. Your team stamps by scanning the card with their own phone. No hardware needed.
  5. The card updates itself on the customer’s phone and lets them know when they’re close or when the reward is ready.

Advantages over a paper card

Paper works, but it has three problems every cafΓ© owner knows: it gets lost, it gets left at home and it can be faked with a similar stamp. Digital solves all three, and adds things that are impossible with paper:

  • They always have it with them, because it’s on their phone.
  • You know who your customer is. You see how often they come, when they last visited and who hasn’t shown up for weeks.
  • You can message them. A birthday note, an offer for a quiet hour or a Β«we miss youΒ» reaches their lock screen at no cost per message.
  • No cheating. Every stamp is recorded with the time and the person who added it, and you can limit how many can be added per day.
  • Nothing else to print. Just the poster with the QR code.

Does the customer need to download an app?

No. This is the biggest difference from the loyalty apps of the past. Asking someone to download an app for a free coffee doesn’t work: most people say no. The wallet comes pre-installed on every iPhone and most Android phones, so saving the card is as quick as saving a ticket.

If the customer doesn’t want to use the wallet, they can also open their card as a web page from the link they receive.

Types of card

The stamp card is the best known, but not the only one. Depending on your business, another may suit you better:

  • Stamps: Β«the tenth one is freeΒ». Ideal for small, frequent purchases like coffee or a haircut.
  • Points: points for every euro, redeemable for rewards. For variable tickets, like a shop or a restaurant.
  • Prepaid passes: ten sessions paid upfront, for beauty salons, physiotherapy or classes.
  • Memberships and members’ clubs: a fee in exchange for perks.
  • Cashback: a percentage of each purchase is saved as credit for the next one.

If you’re not sure, the loyalty advisor recommends one based on your average ticket and how often your customers come back.

What it costs

Programmes for small businesses are usually paid with a monthly fee. At Fidelizando the Basic plan costs €7.90 a month and Pro €14.90 a month, with no commitment and a 14-day free trial. You can see everything each one includes on the pricing page.

To know if it’s worth it, do the maths backwards: if the programme gets a handful of customers to come once more a month, the fee pays for itself. That’s the calculation the advisor does for you.

What to check before choosing one

  • That it works in both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, not just one.
  • That your team can stamp with their phone, without buying readers.
  • That the data is yours and you can export it whenever you want.
  • That it complies with GDPR: clear consent and data stored in Europe.
  • That there’s no commitment and no cost per customer or per message.

Frequently asked questions

Does the customer have to download an app?

No. The card is saved in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, which already come with the phone. It takes about 10 seconds.

Do I need to buy a reader or any hardware?

No. Your team scans the card with the camera of any phone.

What happens if the customer changes phone?

They log in with their email or phone number and get their card back with all their stamps.

Can I move my existing customers to digital?

Yes. You can import them from an Excel or CSV file with their balance, or sign them up when they come back.

Try it in your business.Create your loyalty card in 2 minutes. 14 days free, no credit card.
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Practical guides Β· 3 minCustomer loyalty programme: what it is, types and examples for small businessesA loyalty programme is a clear reason for your customer to come back to you instead of the competition. Here are the types that work in a local business and how to choose yours.
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