Stamp Card
A loyalty card that tracks visits or purchases with stamps, unlocking a reward after a set number of stamps.
A stamp card is the simplest and most intuitive form of loyalty programme. The customer earns one stamp per visit (or per qualifying purchase), and after collecting a set number — typically between 5 and 12 — they receive a reward. The reward is usually a free product: the classic 'buy 10 coffees, get 1 free' model.
Stamp cards work because of the endowed progress effect. Research by Nunes and Drèze (Columbia University) demonstrated that customers are more motivated to complete a stamp card when they feel they have already started. A card with 12 slots and 2 pre-stamped performs better than a card with 10 empty slots — even though both require 10 purchases. Digital stamp cards leverage this by showing a visual progress bar that fills with each visit.
Digital stamp cards add capabilities that paper cannot match. Each stamp is timestamped, preventing fraud (no more customers stamping their own cards). Multi-service stamps allow different products to count toward the same reward. And push notifications remind customers when they are close to completing their card.
Related terms
Digital Loyalty Card
A loyalty card that lives in a customer's Apple Wallet or Google Pay instead of their physical wallet.
Loyalty Programme
A structured marketing strategy that rewards customers for repeat purchases or engagement with a business.
Repeat Customer
A customer who has made more than one purchase from the same business.