Loyalty Card QR Code: How Customers Join and Collect Stamps

A loyalty card QR code lets customers scan a code with their phone to join your loyalty program and collect digital stamps. Instead of carrying a plastic card, they open their camera, scan the QR code at the till or on a receipt, and their stamp card appears on screen.

See also: Apple Wallet Pass Generator: Build Passes Without the Developer Account Headache · Location-Based Lock-Screen Reminders for Wallet Cards

This guide explains how QR loyalty programs work in practice. You will see how customers join without filling in forms, how staff add stamps during checkout, and how to set up a simple digital stamp card for a cafe, salon, or retail shop. It also covers common questions about lost phones, multiple locations, and what happens when a customer reaches a full card.

How a Loyalty Card QR Code Works

A loyalty card QR code replaces the plastic punch card with a scannable link that opens a digital stamp card on the customer’s phone. The mechanics are simple: you print one QR code on a counter sign, receipt, table tent, or window sticker. A customer points their phone camera at it, taps the notification, and lands on a mobile page where they enter a name or phone number. That creates their personal loyalty record. No app download, no password, no email verification.

The same QR code works for every customer. The system identifies each visitor by the phone number or name they enter, then tracks their stamps separately. A cafe owner can put the same code next to the till for months. A salon can print it on the mirror or the appointment card. A car wash can stick it on the payment terminal or the exit gate sign. One code, unlimited customers.

Here is the typical flow in a busy coffee shop:

• A customer orders a flat white and sees a small sign: “Scan to collect a stamp.”
• They scan the loyalty card QR code with their phone camera.
• The page opens and asks for a first name and phone number. They enter it once.
• The barista taps “Add stamp” on the shop tablet, or the customer taps a button on their own phone after showing the screen.
• The customer sees their stamp count update immediately: “3 of 8 stamps collected.”
• On the eighth visit, the screen shows a reward code or a “Free coffee” badge. The barista redeems it and resets the card.

The staff side is just as straightforward. When a customer scans and enters their details, their card appears on your screen. You tap once to add a stamp. If the customer already has a card, the system pulls up their record by phone number. If they are new, the system creates one. There is no separate scanner hardware. The customer’s phone does the scanning; your tablet only displays the result.

Salons and gyms often use a slightly different rhythm. A salon client scans the code at reception after a haircut. The receptionist adds a stamp. After six visits, the client gets a discount on a treatment. A gym can place the code at the front desk and stamp each visit or class attendance. The principle stays the same: scan, identify, stamp, reward.

One useful detail is that the QR code does not need to change when your offer changes. A restaurant might start with “Buy 5 lunches, get the 6th free” and later switch to “Collect 8 stamps for a free dessert.” The code stays identical. Customers keep their existing stamp counts because their records live in the system, not on the printed material.

For shops with multiple locations, the same loyalty card QR code can work across all branches. A customer who collects three stamps at your downtown cafe and two at the suburban branch sees a combined total. That is useful for chains and franchise owners who want one program without printing separate cards per site.

The key point is that the QR code is only the entry point. Print the code where customers already pause: at the register, on the receipt, on the menu, or by the door. The fewer steps between scanning and stamping, the more people will use it.

Scan to Join Without an App

A customer walks into your cafe, orders a flat white, and sees a small card on the counter with a QR code and the words “Scan to collect stamps.” They pull out their phone, open the camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears. A simple page opens in their browser. They enter a first name and phone number, or just tap “Continue with Apple” or “Continue with Google.” The digital stamp card is now saved to their phone’s home screen or appears as a web app. The whole process takes under 20 seconds.

No app store search. No download. No email confirmation loop. That is the core of a scan-to-join loyalty card QR code. It removes the biggest barrier for casual customers: effort. A salon client waiting for a haircut can join while sitting in the chair. A car wash customer can scan the code stuck to the payment terminal while the foam cannon is still running. A gym visitor can scan the code at the front desk while the staff member checks them in.

What the customer actually sees

The QR code should link to a mobile-friendly page, not a PDF or a desktop-only website. The page needs three things:

• A clear stamp card visual showing empty slots and the reward (for example, “Buy 8 coffees, get the 9th free”).
• A single join button: “Add to my phone” or “Create my card”.
• A short line explaining what happens next: “Your card opens in this browser. Tap Share, then Add to Home Screen to keep it one tap away.”

If you use a QR loyalty platform like Loyverse, Stamp Me, or a similar service, the join page is generated for you. You print the QR code once, laminate it, and place it where customers already wait or pay: the counter, the till, the mirror at a salon station, the door of a car wash bay, or the table tent in a restaurant.

Why “without an app” matters

Many small businesses lose loyalty sign-ups because they ask customers to download a branded app. Customers resist downloading apps for a single shop. They worry about storage, notifications, and another password. A QR code loyalty program that runs in the mobile browser sidesteps all of that. The customer still gets a persistent card — usually via a home screen shortcut or a saved link — but they never visit an app store.

For the business, this also means faster onboarding. A barista can say, “Scan this and you’ll get your first stamp on this visit,” and the customer can do it while the milk is steaming. A nail technician can point to the QR code on the price list while the client’s hands are under the UV lamp. The join happens in the same moment the customer is already spending money, which is when loyalty intent is highest.

Practical placement tips

• Put the QR code at eye level near the card reader, not on a distant wall.
• Print it large enough to scan from 30–40 cm away. A 4 cm by 4 cm code on a receipt is too small. A 7 cm by 7 cm code on a stand works better.
• Add one sentence under the code: “Scan to join. No app needed.” That phrase alone answers the customer’s first question.
• If you run a restaurant, put the QR code on the bill folder or the dessert menu. That is when customers are already handling their phones and deciding whether to return.
• For a car wash, stick the code on the vacuum station or the exit sign. Customers are standing there with nothing else to do.

A scan-to-join loyalty card QR code works because it meets the customer where they are: in your shop, phone in hand, already buying. The less you ask them to do, the more likely they are to collect that first stamp — and come back for the next one.

Digital Stamp Collection Basics

A loyalty card with a QR code works like a paper stamp card, but the stamping happens on the customer's phone. The customer scans a code at the counter, and the system adds a stamp to their digital card. No app download is required if you use a web-based card that opens in the phone browser. This lowers the barrier to joining, which matters at busy counters.

The basic flow has three steps. First, the customer scans the QR code displayed at your point of sale. This could be a printed stand on the counter, a sticker by the till, or a code on the receipt. Second, the phone opens a page showing the customer's card with their current stamp count. Third, your staff taps a button or enters a PIN to add the stamp for that visit. Some systems let the customer scan a staff-only code to self-stamp, but that invites abuse. For most shops, staff should control the stamping.

A typical setup for a cafe looks like this. You print one QR code and place it next to the card reader. A customer buying a coffee asks to join. Your staff points to the code, the customer scans it, enters a name or phone number, and the card appears. The staff then adds a stamp for that first purchase. The next visit, the customer scans the same code and the card shows one stamp already collected. After a set number of stamps, the card shows a free item or discount. The staff redeems it and the card resets automatically.

Salons and barbershops use the same mechanic for visits rather than products. A client scans the code after a haircut or colour service. Each completed appointment adds one stamp. After five visits, the client gets a discount on the next service. Because salon visits are less frequent than coffee purchases, the reward threshold should be lower. A ten-stamp card in a salon can take over a year to complete, which feels pointless to the client.

Car washes and gyms have a different rhythm. A car wash customer might visit weekly. A QR stamp card with a free wash after six paid washes works well because the reward is close enough to feel achievable. Gyms can use stamps for class attendance. A member scans after each class, and after eight classes they get a free smoothie or guest pass. The key is matching the stamp target to your typical visit frequency.

One practical point: the QR code should always lead to the same card for each customer. The system identifies the customer through a cookie or a phone number they entered on first scan. If a customer clears their browser data, they may see a blank card. For that reason, ask for a phone number or email at signup so the card can be recovered. Some systems send an SMS link that restores the card on a new device.

Staff training matters more than the technology. Your team needs to mention the card at the right moment, usually when the customer pays. A simple line works: "We have a digital stamp card, scan this and your coffee today counts as your first stamp." If staff forget to offer it, the QR code on the counter does nothing. The code is a tool, not a salesperson.

For most small businesses, the digital card replaces paper cards entirely. You save on printing costs and avoid the problem of customers losing a half-full card. Customers like not carrying another piece of cardboard in their wallet. The phone is already in their hand at the till, so the scan takes a few seconds.

Replacing Plastic Loyalty Cards

Plastic loyalty cards create friction for both you and your customers. People forget them at home, lose them in drawers, or leave them in a different jacket. Staff waste time searching for a card number or reissuing a replacement. You pay for printing, storage, and the awkward moment when a regular asks for a new card after their fourth lost one.

A QR code loyalty card removes that physical object entirely. The customer scans a code at your counter, on a table tent, or near the till. Their phone opens a simple page that stores their stamp or point balance. No app download, no plastic card, no email login unless you choose to require one.

The practical shift is immediate. A cafe can place a small QR stand at the till. A customer orders a flat white, pays, and scans the code. The barista sees the stamp register on their screen or the customer shows their phone. After eight stamps, the next coffee is free. The same process works in a salon: after a haircut or colour appointment, the client scans the code at reception. The system tracks visits and applies the reward when the threshold is reached.

Car washes benefit from a different setup. Instead of a counter code, the QR code can sit on a sign near the payment terminal or on the receipt itself. The customer scans after washing their car. The digital card records the visit. When they reach the free wash threshold, the system tells them on their next scan.

Restaurants and gyms can use the same principle with slightly different triggers. A restaurant might stamp for every main course ordered. A gym might stamp for every class attended or every weekly check-in. The QR code stays the same; the rule behind it changes to fit your business.

Replacing plastic cards also changes how you communicate. With a physical card, you have no way to contact the holder. With a QR code loyalty program, you can ask for a phone number or email at signup. That lets you send a reminder when a customer is one stamp away from a reward. A cafe owner can text a regular on a Tuesday morning: “You have 7 stamps. Today’s coffee gets you a free one.” That message is impossible with a plastic card.

The cost difference is straightforward. A box of 500 plastic cards might cost a few hundred pounds depending on design and printing. A QR code loyalty card costs nothing to reproduce. You print one sign or sticker, or display it on a screen. When you change your reward structure, you update the digital rules. You do not throw away a box of outdated cards.

Staff training is simpler too. There is no card to handle, punch, or stamp by hand. The customer scans, the system updates, and the transaction moves on. For busy shifts, that speed matters more than most owners expect.

The switch works best when you remove the old plastic option completely. Running both systems side by side confuses staff and slows the counter. Pick a date, tell your regulars, and put the QR code where the plastic card jar used to be.

QR Code Placement Ideas

A loyalty card QR code only works if customers notice it at the right moment. The best placements are where people already wait, pay, or use their phone. Here are practical spots that fit different business types.

At the counter or till point

The checkout area is the most reliable spot. Print a small stand-up card next to the card reader or cash register. A cafe can place it beside the tip jar. A salon can put it on the reception desk next to the appointment book. Keep the sign simple: “Scan to join our stamp card” with the QR code large enough to scan from arm’s length. Avoid cluttering the counter with too many signs, or the code gets lost.

For shops with glass counters, stick the QR code on the inside of the glass facing the customer. This protects the print from scratches and spills. A bakery or butcher can use this spot without taking up counter space.

On receipts and packaging

Receipts are easy to overlook but cheap to use. Print the QR code at the bottom of every receipt with one line: “Collect stamps on every visit.” A car wash can add it to the wash code ticket. A restaurant can print it on the bill folder. Customers who just paid are already thinking about whether they will return, so this timing works well.

Food and retail packaging offers another route. A coffee roaster can put the QR code on takeaway bags. A clothing boutique can attach a small tag to shopping bags. The key is to place the code where the customer will see it after leaving the shop, not buried under a fold or seam.

In waiting areas and service zones

Where customers stand or sit idle, the QR code has time to work. A salon can place a framed sign on the styling station mirror or on the waiting-area coffee table. A gym can put it near the check-in desk or on the wall by the water fountain. A car wash can mount a weatherproof sign at the payment kiosk or on the vacuum station. These are moments when people have a free hand and a phone nearby.

For restaurants, the table itself is prime space. A small tent card on each table works better than one sign at the entrance. Diners sit for several minutes before ordering. A QR code on the table tent can say: “Join our loyalty card and get a stamp for today’s visit.” Make sure the code is printed at a size that scans from a seated position without leaning forward awkwardly.

On windows and doors

Entry points catch customers before they enter, but they work best for businesses with regular foot traffic. A cafe or juice bar can put a vinyl decal on the door at eye level. A nail salon can place it on the front window near the opening hours. The message should be short: “Scan to join our stamp card.” Avoid placing the code low on the door where people walk past quickly or where glare from the glass makes scanning difficult.

On staff lanyards or name badges

For service businesses where staff move around, a QR code on a lanyard or badge holder can be effective. A gym trainer can point to it after a session. A barista can mention it while handing over a drink. This works because the invitation is personal. The staff member can say, “Scan this and I’ll add your first stamp.” It removes the step of finding a sign or typing a website.

What to avoid

Do not place the QR code on a moving object like a menu that gets passed around or a receipt that gets crumpled immediately. Do not put it on the floor or on a ceiling. Do not place it behind the counter where customers cannot get close enough to scan. Test every placement with a phone in one hand, standing where a real customer would stand. If the scan takes more than a few seconds, move the code or make it larger.

Tracking Customer Visits

A loyalty card QR code gives you a simple way to see who is coming back, how often, and what they buy. Instead of guessing which regulars keep your shop busy, you can look at the visit data tied to each scan. This works for cafes, salons, car washes, restaurants, gyms, and any other business where repeat visits matter.

When a customer scans your QR code to collect a stamp, the system records the date, time, and location of that scan. Over a few weeks, patterns start to appear. You can see that a particular customer visits every Tuesday morning for coffee, or that a gym member checks in three times a week without fail. You can also spot customers who scanned once or twice and then stopped coming back.

This information helps you make better decisions about staffing, stock, and promotions. For example, if your cafe sees a cluster of scans between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m., you know to schedule an extra person on the espresso machine during that window. If your car wash records most loyalty scans on weekends, you can plan cleaning supplies and staff breaks around that demand.

Tracking visits also helps you identify your best customers without asking them to fill out forms. A customer who has collected eight stamps in three weeks is clearly valuable to your business. You might choose to offer them a small bonus, such as a free upgrade or a complimentary side, before they complete their card. This kind of targeted gesture is much easier when you can see the visit history behind the QR code.

The same data can reveal problems early. Suppose a salon client used to visit every five weeks but has not scanned in over two months. You can send a gentle reminder or a special offer to bring them back. Without the scan record, that client might quietly drift away and you would never know until it was too late.

Restaurants and gyms can use visit tracking to test changes to the loyalty program itself. If you introduce a double-stamp day on Wednesdays, you can compare Wednesday scan counts before and after the change. The data shows whether the promotion actually increased visits or simply shifted customers from other days.

One practical approach is to review your loyalty scan data at the end of each week. Look for three things: new customers who joined, existing customers who returned, and customers who stopped scanning. This takes only a few minutes and gives you a clear picture of your shop's repeat business.

The goal is not to collect data for its own sake. Use the visit history to reward regulars, win back lapsed customers, and adjust your daily operations. A qr code loyalty program turns every stamp into a small piece of useful information about how your business actually runs.

Reward Redemption Flow

A loyalty card QR code turns reward collection into a routine that happens at the counter or table. The flow stays the same whether you run a cafe, a barbershop, or a car wash. The customer scans, the staff confirms, and the system updates the balance. What changes is how you handle the moment a reward becomes available.

How a Typical Redemption Works

The customer opens the loyalty card on their phone, either from a saved home-screen shortcut or by scanning the QR code at your till. The card shows their current stamp or point balance. When they reach the threshold, the card displays a redeemable reward. This could be a free coffee, a discount on a haircut, or a complimentary car wash.

Staff should not guess. The screen shows exactly what the customer has earned. In a cafe, a barista might say, "You have ten stamps. That's a free medium drink." The customer taps the redeem button, and the staff member confirms on their own device or the same screen. The system deducts the stamps and marks the reward as used.

Real-World Scenarios

Cafe with a free drink reward

A customer buys a flat white and scans the QR code at the counter. The card adds one stamp. After nine stamps, the tenth purchase triggers a free drink. The barista sees the reward badge on the customer's phone and redeems it. The customer chooses a large latte instead of a medium. The system still deducts ten stamps, and the cafe simply covers the cost difference. This keeps the rule simple for staff.

Salon with a discount reward

A nail salon runs a QR code loyalty program where every visit earns one point. After five visits, the customer gets 20 percent off the next service. The customer books a manicure, arrives, and scans the salon's QR code at the front desk. The receptionist sees the reward is ready. The customer can redeem it now or save it for a more expensive service like a full set. The salon lets customers choose, which reduces pressure and encourages a larger booking later.

Car wash with a free basic wash

A car wash uses a QR stamp card. After eight paid washes, the ninth is free. The customer pulls up to the payment terminal, scans the QR code, and the screen shows eight stamps collected. The attendant taps redeem, and the system resets the balance to zero. The customer drives through for the free basic wash. If they want the premium wash, they pay the upgrade difference. The attendant notes this on the tablet so the next visit starts from zero stamps, not one.

Handling Partial Rewards and Expiry

Some shops offer tiered rewards. A restaurant might give a free side after five stamps and a free main after ten. The QR code loyalty card should show both milestones. The customer can redeem the smaller reward without losing progress toward the larger one. The system subtracts only the required stamps.

If you set an expiry date, show it on the card. A gym might run a 90-day challenge where stamps expire after that period. The card displays "3 stamps expire in 12 days." This creates a reason to visit without surprising the customer later.

Staff Training Points

Keep redemption rules to one sentence per reward. Write them on a small card near the till. For example: "10 stamps = free medium drink. Customer can pay difference for larger size." This removes hesitation during busy periods. The QR code does the tracking; staff only confirm what the screen shows.

A smooth redemption flow matters more than a clever reward. If a customer earns a free item and the process takes more than 30 seconds, the reward feels like a chore. The scan, confirm, and reset should happen in the time it takes to hand over a receipt.

Preventing Stamp Fraud

A paper loyalty card invites shortcuts. Customers lose cards, staff forget to stamp, and some people add their own marks with a pen or duplicate a card at home. A QR-based loyalty system removes most of these risks because the stamp record lives in your system, not on a piece of cardboard.

How QR codes stop the common tricks

The simplest fraud is the self-stamped card. A customer walks in with a card that already has eight stamps filled in with a similar pen or marker. Staff rarely have time to compare handwriting. With a loyalty card QR code, the customer scans to join or scan to collect. The app or web page records the visit on the spot. There is no physical stamp to copy.

Another common issue is the duplicate card. A customer prints or photocopies a stamped card and gives copies to friends. Each copy looks identical. With a QR code loyalty program, each customer account is tied to a phone number, email address or unique customer ID. The QR code itself does not hold the stamp count. It only links to the account. Copying the QR code does not copy the stamps.

Staff fraud is less discussed but just as real. A team member can stamp their own card or a friend's card after every shift. Some staff hand out free stamps to regulars to boost tips. A digital system logs every stamp with a time, date and staff login or till terminal. You can see unusual patterns, such as the same customer collecting three stamps in one day or one staff member issuing far more stamps than others.

Set clear rules for staff

A QR stamp card works only if staff follow one simple process. The customer must scan before or at payment, and the staff member confirms the stamp on the screen. Do not let staff stamp later from memory. Do not let staff scan a customer's personal screenshot unless your system allows a one-time code for that day.

For cafes and salons, a good rule is: no payment, no stamp. If a customer buys a coffee and a cake in one visit, that is one stamp, not two. If a car wash customer buys two washes in one day, you decide whether that counts as one visit or two. Write the rule down and train every new staff member on it.

Most QR loyalty platforms show a simple activity log. Check it weekly for:

• The same customer scanning multiple times within minutes
• A staff member issuing stamps outside opening hours
• A sudden jump in redemptions from one till or one shift
• Customers with different names but the same phone number or email

None of these prove fraud on their own. A customer might scan twice because the first scan failed. A staff member might fix a genuine mistake. But patterns over a week or month tell you where to look.

Simple safeguards that work

For restaurants and gyms, link the loyalty scan to the till or booking system where possible. A stamp is only valid if there is a matching sale or check-in. If that is not possible, use a rotating QR code on a small screen at the counter. A fixed printed QR code can be photographed and used from home. A screen code changes every minute or every transaction, so a customer must be physically present.

For any shop, set a daily limit per customer. Most systems let you cap stamps at one or two per day. This stops the customer who buys one coffee and asks three friends to scan the same code on their phones.

Finally, make redemption require staff confirmation. A customer should not be able to claim a free coffee just by showing a screenshot. The staff member checks the app, confirms the reward, and marks it as redeemed. This closes the last gap in a qr code loyalty program.

Design Tips for QR Stamp Cards

A QR code on a stamp card only works if customers notice it, trust it, and can scan it without friction. The design choices you make directly affect how many people join your loyalty program. Here is what to focus on when creating a QR stamp card for your shop.

Make the QR code large enough to scan from a natural distance. A customer holding a phone at arm’s length should not have to lean in or zoom. For a card that sits on a counter, a printed QR code of at least 2 x 2 cm is a practical minimum. If the card hangs on a wall behind a till, go larger. Test the scan with two or three different phone models, including an older one. A QR code that scans perfectly on your phone may fail on a customer’s device with a weaker camera.

Place the QR code where it cannot be smudged or folded. Paper stamp cards get handled, put in pockets, and placed on wet counters. Avoid placing the QR code on a fold line or near the edge where thumbs grip the card. For laminated cards, position the code away from areas that scratch easily. For a café loyalty card that sits next to a coffee machine, a glossy laminate can create glare that makes scanning difficult. A matte finish usually scans more reliably under shop lighting.

Give the QR code breathing room. Surround the code with a quiet zone of at least four times the width of one of its small squares. Do not place text, logos, or decorative borders directly against the code. A common mistake is fitting the QR code into a tight corner next to the business name. That can confuse the scanner. Leave a clear white or light-coloured margin.

Use contrast that works for scanners, not just human eyes. Dark code on a light background is the safest combination. Black on white or off-white is ideal. Avoid light grey codes on white cards, or white codes on pastel backgrounds. If your brand colours are red and cream, a dark navy or black code on the cream background will scan better than a red code. Reverse codes, where the background is dark and the code is light, can work but test them carefully. Many phone cameras struggle with inverted QR codes under dim lighting.

Do not cover the QR code with decorative elements. A loyalty stamp card often has a logo, a catchy line, and a row of stamp boxes. Keep the QR code separate from these. Placing a small coffee cup icon inside the centre of the QR code can break the pattern and stop the scan from working. If you want to brand the code, use a QR generator that supports a logo in the centre with error correction set high. Even then, test it before printing hundreds of cards.

Show customers what the QR code does. A code alone is not enough. Add a short instruction next to it, such as “Scan to join” or “Scan for your free stamp.” This removes hesitation. For a salon, the line could read “Scan to collect points on every visit.” For a car wash, “Scan after your wash to earn your next discount.” The instruction should be specific to your reward, not generic.

Design the stamp boxes to work with the QR flow. If customers scan the code to collect a digital stamp, the physical card should not ask them to also get a paper stamp. That creates confusion. Instead, print a simple progress area: “Scan each visit. Your phone shows your stamps.” If you still want a physical reminder, use a simple check-off grid that staff can mark, but make clear the phone is the source of truth.

Test the printed card before ordering a large batch. Print one card on the same material you plan to use, place it where customers will see it, and scan it under the actual lighting conditions of your shop. Test it at the counter, near the door, and on a table. A code that works on a bright screen may fail when printed on textured paper or behind a plastic holder.

A well-designed QR stamp card removes every excuse not to join. The scan should take less than two seconds, work from a comfortable distance, and lead directly to a simple sign-up or stamp collection screen.

How PassHive handles this

This site is published by the team that builds PassHive, so we will be direct about what the tool does and does not do.

PassHive lets a shop, cafe, salon, car wash, restaurant or gym issue its own branded loyalty card that customers save to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The customer joins by scanning a QR code at the counter or opening a link. There is no app to download, no account to create on the customer side, and no paper card to carry. Once the card is saved, it sits in the phone's wallet like a bank card or boarding pass.

The card carries the shop's own name, colour and logo. The card on the customer's phone updates itself. The customer does not need to refresh anything or scan again to see the new balance.

PassHive supports two card types. A stamp card works as a visit card, for example buy nine coffees and get the tenth free. You choose the type, the reward rule, and the design.

You can design the card and preview it on iPhone and Android for free. You pay only when you go live.

This pricing matters for a loyalty card QR code setup because the QR code does not care how many people scan it. A cafe with 1,000 customers pays $10 per month on PassHive. The same cafe would pay about $73 per month on PassKit, based on PassKit's published rates of $39.50 per month plus per-pass fees after the first 250 passes. At 10,000 customers, PassKit is roughly $341 per month while PassHive stays at $10. See PassHive pricing for the full breakdown.

PassHive can also send push notifications to saved cards, such as an offer or a message that a reward is ready. Google limits these to roughly three messages per card per day. Location-based reminders can appear on the lock screen when a customer is near the shop. Apple supports up to 10 locations per card with a radius of about 200 metres; Google uses the merchant's listed locations. The phone decides when to show these reminders, so they are best described as "can remind" rather than guaranteed alerts.

If you run multiple branches, you can turn any branch off at any time. Its cards stop working at once. This is useful if you close a location or pause a promotion without rebuilding the whole programme.

PassHive is not a POS, not an e-commerce plugin, and has no named integrations with Shopify, Square, Toast or similar systems. What it does provide is a public REST API with API keys, so a developer or agency can create cards, add stamps, add points and send messages from their own POS, app or website. Documentation is available at passhive.app/docs.

If you want to test how a loyalty card QR code looks and behaves before committing, you can start designing your card free.

PassHive is a flat monthly plan for the whole business, not a fee per branch. The plan sets the maximum number of active branches you can run: $10 a month for up to 100 branches, $25 for up to 275, $50 for up to 600 and $100 for up to 1,250. Yearly billing gives two months free ($100, $250, $500 or $1,000 a year). A cafe with one branch pays $10 a month in total, whatever the number of cards or customers. That is what "pay for your branches, not your customers" means: the plan size follows how many branches you run, never how many people save your card.