How does a prepaid card work?
The customer pays an amount at the counter; staff top up the card, adding a bonus if you offer one. On later visits, staff charge purchases to the balance. A variant is the pack: the customer buys, say, 10 coffees up front and one is ticked off at each visit.
Why does it matter for a shop?
- Money comes in before the goods go out, which helps cash flow in quiet months.
- A customer with a balance has a reason to choose you over the shop next door.
- The bonus is the cost: a 10 % top-up bonus works like a 10 % discount for your most committed customers.
What should you check first?
When a shop holds its customers’ money, gift-card or electronic-money rules may apply. EU payment rules exclude instruments that can only be used at the issuer’s own premises or within a limited network of shops, which usually covers a single shop’s card, but the details depend on your situation and country. Check with your accountant before launching, especially if the card is valid in several shops.
How does Fidelia handle it?
Prepaid cards and packs are Pro card types. You set a top-up bonus from 0 to 50 %, or an item, a number of items per pack and an optional price. Staff use “Top up”, “Charge” or “Use” on the scanner; the Wallet card shows the balance or items left, every action is logged and a manager can correct a mistake, and spending a balance keeps working even if a subscription lapses.