Loyalty card calculator
What does your loyalty card reward really cost?
This calculator divides the actual cost of one reward by the number of stamped visits needed to earn it. Enter your own figures to see the cost per qualifying visit if every earned reward is redeemed. The result is not a return-on-investment estimate and cannot predict how often customers will come back.
What does your reward really cost?
Start with the reward's actual cost to your business, not its selling price. This first calculation assumes every earned reward is redeemed.
This spreads the cost across visits; it is not a revenue or return forecast. It excludes software, staff time, tax and other costs.
How many extra visits would cover the costs?
Enter your assumptions. The chart shows only the arithmetic of your scenario; it does not predict how many people will return.
Enter your own business figures in every field to see a scenario.
Formula: customers × assumed extra visits × (contribution per visit − reward cost per visit) − monthly Iterum cost
Contribution margin is what remains from a visit after variable costs. Enter an assumption for reward cost per extra visit here; it may differ from the average cost per stamped visit above. Other costs and indirect effects are excluded. Extra visits are not guaranteed.
The formula and what it leaves out
Reward cost per stamped visit = actual cost of one reward ÷ visits required. If a reward costs a café €1.20 and takes eight eligible visits to earn, that is €0.15 of reward cost per visit. These are example numbers; use the cost in your own business.
The calculation assumes every earned reward is redeemed. It cannot tell whether the card brings in additional visits: you need real before-and-after evidence for that. It also excludes the subscription, staff time, printing, tax and other expenses.
Choose the reward, target and visit rule
Enter what the complete reward costs your business, not its menu price. If the reward is a discount, consider its actual effect on the transaction where it is used. Write any conditions alongside the card.
Decide what counts as an eligible visit and who may award a stamp. Iterum records visits confirmed by staff; it does not read the POS receipt automatically. The customer loyalty programme guide helps with clear rules, while the café guide shows a counter example.
Calculate your real cost
Include the variable cost of the complete item or service you plan to give.
Set a reasonable target
Use actual visit patterns without assuming the card itself will increase them.
Test with staff
Ask staff to simulate both a stamp and a reward redemption before sharing the QR code.
Check the programme after launch
Record enrolments, staff-confirmed visits and redeemed rewards. Compare similar periods and account for seasonal demand, promotions and changes in store traffic. More stamps alone do not prove more sales.
The Iterum panel records visits and redemptions. Aggregate analysis and customer lists depend on the chosen plan. Read the digital loyalty card guide to understand the full flow before activation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the result the total cost of a loyalty card?
- No. It only spreads the cost of one reward across the visits needed to earn it, assuming every earned reward is redeemed.
- Should I enter the reward's selling price?
- No. Enter the actual cost to your business. The selling price may be quite different from the cost of the item or service.
- Does this calculator forecast return on investment?
- No. It cannot forecast new visits, revenue or profit. Estimating an effect needs real data and an appropriate before-and-after comparison.
- Do I need an Iterum account to use it?
- No. You can change the values on this page without registering; the arithmetic runs in your browser.