Stamp Card Reward Redemption Online

Stamp cards are a classic loyalty concept: "buy 9, get the 10th free". In Vendion, guests can redeem their stamp card rewards directly at online ordering – without showing a physical card.

How stamp cards work in Vendion

Each stamp card has:

• A reward – e.g., "Free coffee", "Free dessert"
• A number of stamps required – e.g., 9 coffee purchases
• A validity time – e.g., 12 months
• A holder register – who has how many stamps

Every time the guest buys a product that counts toward the stamp card, a stamp is added. When the required number is reached, the reward can be redeemed.

The guest's flow online

1. Guest logs in via OTP-verified phone number
2. At checkout, the section "Gift card, points, or stamp card?" is shown
3. The system shows available stamp cards where the guest has met the requirement:

   Redeem stamp card
   ├─ Coffee (9 stamps filled)
   ├─ Dessert (8 stamps filled)
   └─ Champagne (12 stamps filled)
   

4. Guest clicks Redeem next to desired reward
5. The reward is added to the order as a discount equal to the product's price
6. Guest pays the remainder

How it looks in the chat

Your order: 425 kr
- Caesar salad     145 kr
- Cava              85 kr
- Today's          195 kr

[+] Gift card, points, or stamp card?
    ├─ Redeem stamp card
    │   ✓ Free coffee (9/9 stamps)
    │     [Redeem]
    │
    └─

✓ Free coffee redeemed (-39 kr)

To pay: 386 kr
[Pay with card]

The coffee can also be added directly as a "free" product if the guest wants it this time.

What happens behind the scenes

1. The system fetches the guest's stamp cards with status
2. Guest selects one with available rewards
3. The system increases redeemed rewards and returns the reward product with 0 kr price
4. On payment, the discount is posted

Multiple rewards in the same order

The guest can redeem multiple stamp cards in the same order:

• 1× Free coffee
• 1× Free dessert

Total discount = sum of all redeemed rewards.

What happens to the stamp card after redemption?

After redemption:

• Redeemed rewards increases by 1
• Available rewards decreases by 1
• Stamps are not recalculated – remaining stamps stay for the next reward

If the guest has 18 stamps and redeems 1 reward (requires 9 stamps), the guest still has 9 stamps left for the next free product.

Accounting

Stamp card rewards are posted as revenue reduction – just like loyalty points.

• No liability arises on the balance sheet (unlike gift cards)
• The discount decreases the revenue account for the product type given free
• VAT decreases proportionally

Example: Free coffee worth SEK 39 (incl 12% VAT):

• D 3001 (Food/drink revenue) 34.82 kr
• D 2610 (Output VAT 12%) 4.18 kr
• C 3001 (Revenue) 39 kr

Resulting net effect: -39 kr on revenue and -4.18 kr on VAT.

See accounting article "Stamp Cards – Accounting Free Items" for a deep dive.

Limitations

One reward per type per order

The guest cannot redeem 2× free coffee in the same order (even if they have 18 stamps). This is a design choice to prevent abuse.

Reward must be available in the menu

If the product "Espresso" is hidden or inactive, the reward cannot be added. Contact the restaurant.

No combination restrictions with points

Stamp cards and loyalty points can be freely combined in the same order.

Security

• SMS verification required before redemption – prevents abuse of another's balance
• Atomic transaction – either the entire redemption succeeds, or none
• Each redemption is logged with order ID, guest ID, and timestamp

Common problems

"No available rewards"

The guest hasn't reached the requirement for any reward. Show balance (e.g., "5/9 stamps to free coffee").

"Stamp card has expired"

The stamp card's validity has passed. Unused stamps forfeit. Contact the restaurant for potential manual handling.

"Product no longer exists"

If the restaurant has removed the product from the menu (e.g., "Espresso" is archived), the reward cannot be redeemed. The restaurant should replace with a similar product in stamp card settings.

Tips for restaurateurs

• Promote stamp cards online – guests often forget they have stamps to redeem
• Reasonable amount of stamps – 5-10 stamps is common, not 20+
• Clear reward – "Free coffee" is clearer than "10% discount"
• Remind guests via SMS when they're 1 stamp away from a reward