10 Customer Loyalty Programs with Examples

A customer loyalty program is a marketing strategy designed to reward customers for their ongoing loyalty to a brand or business. These programs offer significant benefits, such as increasing customer retention, enhancing the customer experience, and collecting valuable data on purchasing habits.

A loyalty program is based on the concept of rewarding repeated purchases or engaged behavior. The goal is to motivate customers to remain loyal to the brand by offering tangible benefits. These benefits can take various forms, such as points, discounts, exclusive access to products or services, or unique experiences.

Loyalty programs have evolved alongside technology and consumer expectations. They have become more sophisticated, offering greater personalization and often incorporating elements of gamification to make the experience more engaging. Furthermore, many businesses adopt an omnichannel approach, allowing customers to accumulate and use rewards across different channels, including in-store, online, and through mobile apps.

There are numerous forms of loyalty programs with different mechanics. We will present 10 of them, ranging from the most classic to the most innovative.

A points-based loyalty program is a classic but extremely effective approach to customer retention. The principle is simple: customers accumulate points for each purchase made, which can then be exchanged for various rewards. This method strongly encourages customers to return and continue shopping with the same company.

One of the great advantages of these programs is their flexibility. Businesses can adjust the rate of point accumulation, reward thresholds, and even offer bonus points for special events or purchases in certain product categories. Moreover, programs can be personalized based on customer preferences and buying behavior, allowing for more relevant and attractive rewards.

Here is the example of our client Kaporal, who has chosen a points-based loyalty program.

A cashback program is a popular form of loyalty that appeals to many customers due to its simplicity and direct value. This type of program offers customers a percentage discount on their purchases, credited in the form of real money or shopping vouchers.

One of the main strengths of these programs is their transparency. Customers easily understand the benefit: spend money to get some of it back. This simplicity makes the program appealing and easy to use, which encourages participation and loyalty.

For example, our client Supermarchés Match offers to accumulate 10% discount on the visit and purchases of their choice every 10 visits.

A tiered loyalty program is designed to reward customers based on their level of engagement or spending with a brand. This layered structure encourages customers to increase their interactions and purchases to reach higher levels, thereby offering progressively more attractive benefits.

The main appeal of these programs lies in the progressive rewards they offer. Higher-level customers can enjoy greater discounts, exclusive access to products or services, more favorable return conditions, or even invitations to special events. This structure creates a sense of exclusivity and values the most loyal customers.

A partnership program, also known as a collaborative loyalty program, is a loyalty strategy in which a company partners with other brands or services to offer more extensive benefits and rewards to its customers. This approach broadens the range of rewards available and offers a richer, more diversified customer experience.

One of the main strengths of these programs is the ability for customers to accumulate points or benefits in different areas of business. This enriches the customer experience by offering greater flexibility and variety in the use of loyalty points. Additionally, it allows companies to reach new market segments through cross-exposure with partners.

Here is an example from our client Lapsa, a pet food manufacturer, which offers to use its points in exchange for benefits with partners.

A community loyalty program represents an innovative and interactive approach to customer loyalty. These programs focus on creating and strengthening a brand community, encouraging customers to actively engage with the company and with each other. They go beyond mere transactions to build a deeper and more meaningful relationship with customers.

This can involve participating in online forums, submitting product reviews, sharing photos or experiences on social media, or attending brand-organized events. These actions help to create a sense of belonging and a loyal community around the brand.

In addition to other ways of accumulating points, Decathlon, for example, offers to earn points by encouraging its customers to share their experiences with the brand's products. This is a great way to listen to customers and continuously improve!

A charitable program in customer loyalty involves integrating social or environmental causes into the loyalty program. This type of program allows customers to feel that they are contributing to important causes while interacting with the brand, thus creating an emotional and ethical dimension in the customer-brand relationship.

In these programs, customers can choose to convert their loyalty points into donations for charities or social projects. For example, a customer may decide to donate a part or all of their accumulated points to an environmental, humanitarian, or animal protection cause. Some companies also offer to match customer donations, thereby doubling their impact.

For companies, these programs also strengthen their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and improve their brand image.

Another example from our client Lapsa, which offers to convert loyalty points into donations to shelters. The association is related to the core business of the brand and will resonate with animal-loving customers!

A referral program is an effective loyalty strategy that involves existing customers in the process of acquiring new customers. By encouraging existing customers to recommend the brand to their friends, family, or colleagues, these programs create a loyalty network that extends beyond direct interactions with the company.

Referral programs are particularly effective because they rely on trust and personal relationships. Recommendations from trusted individuals often have a more significant impact than traditional advertising. It's a new form of word-of-mouth.

For businesses, this translates into reduced customer acquisition costs and a potential increase in customer loyalty. For customers, in addition to material benefits, there is the satisfaction of having shared an experience or service they appreciate.

In a referral program, an existing customer receives an incentive, often in the form of loyalty points, discounts, or credits, for each new customer they bring to the business. The new customer may also receive a reward for signing up through a recommendation, creating mutual benefit.

For example, the referral program of Choose consistently offers 10€ to both the referrer and the referee, and even doubles this credit at key times of the year.

A subscription program represents a loyalty approach where customers engage in a long-term relationship with the brand by subscribing to regular products or services. This strategy is particularly effective in sectors where recurring purchases are the norm, such as streaming services, monthly boxes, or subscriptions to everyday consumer products.

In a subscription program, customers pay a fixed amount periodically (monthly, quarterly, etc.) to receive a product or service. The advantage for the customer is twofold: they benefit from the convenience of regularly receiving the product or service without having to place new orders, and they often enjoy a better price or preferential terms compared to one-time purchases.

The recurring nature of the subscription strengthens customer loyalty and thus increases the customer lifetime value.

Here is the example of Lillydoo, which offers a subscription to receive diaper boxes at a discounted price and exclusive benefits. Convenient for young parents!

Want to find out more about the subscription business model? Read our article Subscription: The New Eldorado for Customer Loyalty.

A paid program, also known as a premium loyalty program, is a form of loyalty where customers pay a fee to access exclusive benefits and services. This approach is particularly appealing for brands that want to offer a high-end customer experience and for consumers who are willing to pay for additional benefits.

In a paid program, customers pay a subscription, usually annual or monthly, to enjoy exclusive benefits not available in free programs. These benefits can include special discounts, early access to sales or new products, premium services like free shipping, and other special offers.

Here is an example from our client Naturalia, which offers a monthly, quarterly, or annual membership in exchange for discounts all year round on all their products.

The gamified loyalty program is an innovative approach that integrates elements of gaming into loyalty strategies. This method aims to make the loyalty experience more fun and engaging, encouraging customers to actively and regularly participate in the program.

In a gamified loyalty program, customers earn points, badges, or rewards not only for their purchases but also for their participation in fun activities related to the brand. This can include challenges, quizzes, surveys, or contests. For example, a customer could earn additional points by completing a quiz about the brand's products or participating in a social media sharing challenge.

Take the example of our client RTBF, which uses the Qualifio Loyalty module to create interaction-based loyalty programs. The goal is no longer just to stimulate profile creation through contests but also to encourage identified users to return to the RTBF site, among other things, through games and user knowledge. It is in this context that the media launched its first loyalty program for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

For a loyalty program to be effective and beneficial for both the business and its customers, it must incorporate several key elements. These components are essential to ensure customer engagement and satisfaction, and ultimately, their long-term loyalty.

A loyalty program must be easy to understand and use. If customers find the program complex, with obscure rules or complicated redemption processes, they will be less inclined to participate. Simplicity in the accumulation and use of points or rewards is key to maintaining customer interest and commitment.

The rewards offered must have significant real and perceived value for the customers. It's not necessarily about expensive rewards, but they must be relevant and desirable for the targeted customer base. Personalized rewards, based on customer preferences and buying behaviors, can greatly increase the appeal of the program.

A successful loyalty program must recognize and respond to the needs and preferences of each customer. Using customer data to personalize communications, offers, and rewards can transform a generic experience into a meaningful and appreciated interaction. In short, aim for the wow effect!

Regular, relevant, and omnichannel communication is essential to maintain customer interest in the program. This involves not only information about points and rewards but also reminders, updates on new benefits or changes to the program, and messages of thanks for customer loyalty. Ensure that your customers can access their loyalty program everywhere and at all times (email, SMS, RCS, wallet, in-store, etc).

To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the program, it is necessary to regularly track performance and gather customer feedback. This allows for adjustments and improvements to the program based on evolving customer needs and market trends.

The loyalty program should not be an isolated entity but should be an integral part of the overall customer experience. It should align with the brand, the company's values, and other customer touchpoints, such as customer service, retail outlets, and online platforms. It's really the entire customer experience that needs to be cared for!

A loyalty program, by nature, is based on the collection and use of personal data. Therefore, it must comply with the regulatory framework established by the GDPR. Transparency in the use of personal data will undoubtedly help to overcome barriers to joining your program.

A loyalty program is much more than just a simple reward mechanism for repeated purchases. It represents a dynamic, multifaceted marketing strategy, essential for establishing and strengthening a lasting, emotional, and personalized relationship between a brand and its customers.

An increasingly common and effective trend in designing loyalty programs is to combine different types of actions and rewards. Today's businesses recognize that customer needs and preferences vary and can change rapidly, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By combining the various elements listed above, brands can offer a more comprehensive and appealing experience for everyone.

In summary, the success of a loyalty program depends on its clarity and its ability to evolve with customer needs and market trends, while remaining true to the brand's values and objectives.