Calculator
Stamp card reward calculator
Pick the right reward math. Too generous and the program loses money. Too stingy and customers ignore it.
Stamp card reward math
Tune the number of stamps required, the reward cost and the redemption share to find a reward that motivates without giving the shop away.
Inputs
Result
Formula
Cumulative spend = stamps required × average ticket
Reward cost ratio = (reward cost ÷ cumulative spend) × 100
Rewards per month = (transactions × redemption %) ÷ (100 × stamps)
Reward cost as % of revenue = (rewards × reward cost) ÷ (transactions × avg ticket) × 100
Break-even uplift = reward cost ÷ (avg ticket × 0.7 × stamps) × 100
Assumptions
- Average ticket size and monthly transactions are stable across the year.
- Contribution margin assumed at 70% of average ticket (edit your own margin in the ROI calculator).
- Redemption rate reflects only successfully-redeemed stamps. Forgotten or lost cards lower this number.
- The free item's true cost is its COGS, not its retail price.
Notes
- If your reward-cost-of-revenue exceeds ~5%, the program is likely eroding margin. Aim for 6–10% reward cost as a share of cumulative spend.
- If break-even uplift is above ~20%, the reward is too generous; below ~5%, the reward feels stingy and engagement will be low.
What to do with this number
Three next actions
Reward math works when the cost is in the 6–10% range AND the break-even uplift is below the typical 12–25%. Now turn those numbers into a card customers will use.
01 · Calculator
See how it scales to total program ROI
Plug the same ticket size + reward cost into the loyalty ROI calculator to estimate monthly and annual net contribution.
Run the ROI math →02 · Template
Open a stamp card template
Each of the 10 templates is pre-configured for one industry — stamp count, reward, mechanic all set. Open the one that fits and customize.
Browse stamp card templates →03 · Builder
Design the card now
Use the full builder to set up business name, reward copy, mechanic and accent. The stamp count you picked here is already the right default to start from.
Open the builder →
Reading the result
The two most important numbers in this calculator are: reward cost as a percentage of spend (aim for 6–10%) and break-even uplift (aim to be below the typical 12–25% observed in real programs).
Next step
Once you have the reward math, open the builder with the reward already filled in, or browse the 10 industry templates for a pre-tuned starting point.
For the format-free economics see the loyalty cards guide. For total program value, use the loyalty ROI calculator.