Growth · 8 min read
Loyalty tiers that actually drive repeat visits
Points aren't a strategy — tiers are. How to design bronze/silver/gold that a guest can feel, and the math behind rewards that don't eat your margin.
By Tablefllow Team · May 11, 2026
Every loyalty program starts with points. Great ones end with tiers. A tier is a promise: 'Do more, feel more.' Points reward transactions; tiers reward identity.
The 3-tier default that works
- Bronze — anyone with an account. 1 point per $1.
- Silver — 10 visits or $250 lifetime spend. Free birthday dessert.
- Gold — 25 visits or $750 lifetime spend. Priority seating, one 'skip the line' pickup per month, invite-only tasting nights.
The 3% rule
Keep total rewards cost under 3% of revenue. If you're giving a $10 reward at 100 points, and 1 point = $1 spent, you're at 10% — that's a sale, not a loyalty program. Aim for a $5 reward at 200 points minimum.
Reward experiences, not discounts
A free dessert costs you $1.20 and feels like $8. A 10% discount costs you 10% and feels like nothing. Tier perks should be non-discount whenever possible.
Birthday offers that get redeemed
- Send 7 days before, not on the day — people plan.
- Include a friend — 'You + a guest' doubles redemption.
- Expire in 14 days — urgency without pressure.
The win-back sequence
60 days idle → 'We miss you' message with one perk. 90 days → a real offer. 120 days → last-touch, then remove from active list. Tablefllow runs this on autopilot; you just approve the copy.