Prepaid session passes: how to get paid upfront without losing customers

A ten-session pass is cash today and a committed customer for weeks. The key is the price, the expiry and making sure keeping count takes no effort.

24 October 2026 Β· 2 min read

What a session pass is

A pass is a pack of services the customer pays for upfront, usually with a small discount: 5 or 10 physiotherapy sessions, 10 yoga classes, 6 facials or 10 car washes. Each visit, one session is deducted.

Why it works

  • You get paid earlier. It improves your cash flow and gives you visibility.
  • The customer commits. Someone who has paid for ten sessions won’t switch to a competitor halfway.
  • They come more often. Having paid sessions pushes people to use them.

How to set the price

The usual discount is 5 to 15% compared with paying per session. The longer the pass, the bigger the discount. An example for a €40 session:

PassSingle pricePass priceSaving
5 sessions€200€1857.5%
10 sessions€400€35012.5%

Another option people love: Β«pay for 9 and get 10Β». It’s understood instantly.

Expiry

A pass with no expiry ends up forgotten in a drawer. Set a period that matches the pace of the service: a pass of 10 weekly classes can last 3 or 4 months; 5 physio sessions, 2 or 3 months. State it clearly when you sell it.

Keeping count without paper

The classic card with crossed-off boxes causes problems: it gets lost, forgotten, and you don’t know how many passes are outstanding. With a digital pass, the customer carries it on their phone, you scan it on arrival and the session is deducted automatically. They always see how many they have left, and so do you.

Remind them before it runs out

The best moment to sell the next pass is when one or two sessions are left. An automatic message like Β«you have 1 session left, renew your pass with 10% offΒ» keeps the customer going without a break.

Pass or membership

If your customer comes regularly (every week), a monthly membership may fit better: a fixed fee with included sessions or unlimited access. A pass is better when usage is irregular.

Industries where it works best

Gyms, yoga and Pilates studios, clinics and physiotherapy, beauty salons, academies and laundrettes or car washes.

Frequently asked questions

What discount should a session pass have?

Usually between 5 and 15% compared with paying per session, bigger the longer the pass.

Can passes expire?

Yes, as long as it’s clearly stated when sold. The period should allow all sessions to be used comfortably.

How do I track how many sessions each customer has left?

With a digital pass: it’s scanned at each visit, the session is deducted and both customer and business see the balance instantly.

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