Practical guide
Digital loyalty cards: what they are and how they work
A digital loyalty card lets a business reward customer visits through a phone. When it lives in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, customers save it from a QR code, check their stamps, and receive a reward without downloading the business's own app.
Reviewed August 6, 2026 · 8 minute read
What is a digital loyalty card?
It is the mobile version of a stamp or points card. It identifies the business's program, shows progress, and can update the reward after every visit. A Wallet-based card is stored alongside the customer's tickets, boarding passes, and other cards; it is not a standalone application or a payment card.
How it works, step by step
01
The customer scans the QR code
The business places a QR code at the bar, table, counter, or on printed material. The customer opens it with their phone camera.
02
They save the card to Wallet
The card is added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. They do not need to create a tono account or provide an email address or phone number.
03
Staff record the visit
At checkout, staff scan the card code from a private web page and add the appropriate stamp.
04
Progress becomes a reward
The card updates. Once the agreed threshold is reached, it displays the available reward; staff redeem it and the cycle begins again.
What each person gets
For the customer
The card stays on their phone, shows what remains, and requires no new password or paper card to remember.
For staff
The mechanic remains familiar: scan, add a stamp, and redeem. The business does not need to replace its POS.
For the business
It can update the card, keep the reward visible, and see basic activity without developing and maintaining a custom app.
Paper, a custom app, or a Wallet card
| Aspect | Paper | Custom app | Wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| New download | No | Yes | No |
| Customer account | No | Common | Not required |
| Can be physically forgotten | Yes | No | No |
| Updates and messages | No | Yes | Yes, where the platform supports them |
| Activity visibility | None | High | Basic or expandable |
What a business needs to launch one
Wallet technology is only one part. A useful program needs a rule that is easy to explain, an attainable reward, and a flow staff can run even when there is a queue.
- A concrete rule, such as: buy 8 coffees and get the next one free.
- Visible logo, colours, terms, and reward.
- A QR code placed where customers have time to scan it.
- A short instruction for offering, stamping, and redeeming the card.
Frequently asked questions
Does the customer have to install an app?
Not when the card works with Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The customer opens a link or scans a QR code and saves it to the Wallet on their phone.
Do they need to register or provide personal data?
Not necessarily. tono lets customers claim and use the card without a customer account, email address, or phone number.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. tono generates passes for Apple Wallet on iPhone and Google Wallet on compatible devices.
Does the business need to replace or integrate its POS?
Not during the tono pilot. Staff use a private web page to scan the card, add stamps, and redeem rewards alongside the existing checkout system.
Can it send notifications?
The pass can support messages and location relevance where Apple Wallet or Google Wallet allow them. The platform, device, and user settings determine how and when they appear.