For customers
Does this cafe have a loyalty program?
Short answer: probably yes — and earning a free coffee is usually two taps away. Here’s how digital cafe loyalty cards work from the customer’s side, what to look for at the counter, and how to make sure your stamps actually count.
Published
How to tell if a cafe has a loyalty program
The most obvious clue is a small QR code at the counter, on the menu, or stuck near the till. Look for words like stamp card, loyalty, or rewards next to it. If you don’t see one — just ask. A lot of cafes have signed up to digital programs but haven’t put up prominent signage yet.
The older option — a paper card you punch on each visit — is fading out fast. Most cafes that still hand them out now run a digital version too, and the digital one’s easier (no wallet to dig out, no torn cards, your stamps never get lost).
How digital stamp cards work
- 1Point your phone camera at the QR code. Your stamp card opens in the browser — no app to install.
- 2On the first scan you can add your name and email so your stamps follow you to any device. Skip this if you'd rather stay anonymous (your card lives in a cookie on your phone instead).
- 3Order your coffee as usual. Tap 'Request stamp' — the barista approves it on their dashboard.
- 4When you hit the threshold (most cafes do 'buy 8, get 1 free'), the card lets you redeem at your next visit. Tap once, hand the barista your phone, free coffee.
What to look for at the counter
- A QR code — usually small, square, often printed on a stand or stuck to the side of the till.
- Words like “loyalty”, “stamp card”, “rewards” — if you see those, it’s a customer-facing program.
- A barista who knows the term — if you ask “do you have a stamp card?” and they pull out their phone or tablet to scan something, you’re in.
Why cafes do this
The maths is simple for cafe owners. A customer who’s halfway through their stamp card visits ~30% more often than one who isn’t collecting. The free drink at the end is cheap insurance against you walking past their shop to the next one on the block. So most independent cafes have either rolled out a digital loyalty card already, or are about to.
You’re not the product here — there’s no ad targeting, no data sold on. The cafe just wants you to come back one more time. Win-win.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a cafe has a loyalty program?+
Look for a QR code at the counter or on the menu — usually small, square, and labelled 'loyalty card', 'stamp card', or 'rewards'. If you don't see one, ask the barista; many cafes have one but don't advertise it on the wall.
Do I need to download an app to use a coffee loyalty card?+
On modern systems like Brewstamp — no. You scan a QR code with your phone's built-in camera and your stamp card opens in the browser. Older programs (the big chains) often still require their branded app.
How many stamps do I usually need for a free coffee?+
Most independent cafes use a 'buy 8, get 1 free' or 'buy 10, get 1 free' rule. Some shops set their own threshold — it's shown on the card when you sign up.
Will I get spammed if I sign up?+
On Brewstamp specifically, no. You only get an optional email when you've earned a free drink. Other systems may send marketing — check before you hand over your email.
What happens if I switch phones?+
If you've added your email or name to the card, your progress is tied to that account and follows you to any device. If you signed up anonymously (just a cookie), you'd lose your stamps — so it's worth adding a name and email at the first stamp.