Yes — a balance card tracks the package, a points or stamp card handles the loyalty on top
A salon selling prepaid treatment packages should use a balance card to track the package itself, decrementing a prepaid value or session count each time the client uses it. That's a different job from loyalty scoring, which is why it works best paired with a separate points or stamp card that rewards ongoing spend rather than tracking a single prepaid bundle.
A balance card answers "how much is left on this package" — a client who bought 500 SAR of prepaid treatments sees that number go down with each visit until it hits zero. A points or stamp card answers "has this client earned a reward yet" — a running total across everything she buys, packages included.
Confusing the two is the common mistake: trying to make one card do both jobs usually means the reward math gets tangled with the package balance, and neither is tracked cleanly.
- Balance card: tracks a prepaid value or session count down to zero — the package tracker
- Points or stamp card: tracks accumulated loyalty across all spend, packages included
- Run both on Growth+ (up to 10 cards) if you want package tracking and a reward program together
- On Free, pick one — most single-package salons should start with the balance card, since it protects the client's prepaid money from being miscounted
Balance card vs. points card: two different jobs
These aren't competing options for the same problem — they solve two separate ones that happen to both apply to a salon selling packages.
| Card type | Tracks | Resets when |
|---|---|---|
| Balance card | Prepaid value or sessions remaining on a specific package | The package is fully used |
| Points card | Accumulated loyalty from all spend, including packages | Only on redemption of a reward |
| Stamp card | Visit count, poorly suited to package-sized transactions | On redemption, but distorted by package purchases |
A worked example: a 500 SAR facial package
A client buys a 500 SAR prepaid package covering 5 facials at 100 SAR each. On a balance card, that 500 SAR is loaded in, and each facial deducts 100 SAR until the balance reaches zero — she and your reception both know exactly how many sessions remain at a glance. If you're also running a points card, that same 500 SAR purchase separately earns 500 points toward her next loyalty reward, tracked independently of the package balance.
Without a balance card, tracking "how many facials does she have left" falls back to a paper note or memory — exactly the kind of manual tracking a digital wallet card is supposed to eliminate.
What happens when the balance runs low
A balance running low is a natural rebooking trigger — a client with one facial left on her package is a client who needs to book again soon, whether or not she renews the package. Waya doesn't have a dedicated low-balance automation, so this is one to watch manually from the dashboard or flag with a hand-picked campaign to clients nearing zero.
Renewing the package before it hits zero keeps her cycle uninterrupted; letting it lapse to zero without a prompt is the most common way prepaid clients quietly drift away.
A message example when a package is topped up
The points/balance-added trigger fires on every scan, including a renewal — write it to confirm the new balance clearly.
For example: "Package renewed — 500 SAR loaded, 5 facials ready to book." Confirming the number reassures her the payment registered correctly.
Free plan supports one card — decide which job matters more first
Free is 0 SAR forever, up to 100 customers, and 1 card — enough to run either the balance card or a points/stamp card, but not both at once. For a salon whose main revenue is prepaid packages, start with the balance card; it protects real prepaid money from being miscounted, which matters more early on than the loyalty layer.
Growth at 85 SAR/mo unlocks up to 10 cards, which is when running a balance card and a points card side by side becomes practical.
Set up a balance card in four steps
This is a straightforward setup once you know your typical package size and session count.
- Step 1: decide the package value
Set the prepaid total (e.g. 500 SAR) that the balance card will track.
- Step 2: set the per-session deduction
Match it to your actual per-visit price for that service.
- Step 3: scan at every session, not just at purchase
The balance only stays accurate if reception deducts it on each visit.
- Step 4: watch for balances nearing zero
Use the dashboard to catch renewal opportunities before the package runs out.
Frequently asked questions
Should a salon use a balance card for prepaid packages?
Yes — a balance card tracks a prepaid value or session count down to zero, which is exactly what a package needs. A points or stamp card handles the separate job of rewarding loyalty across all spend.
Can a salon run a balance card and a points card together?
Yes, on Growth or above, which allows up to 10 cards. On the Free plan's single-card limit, most package-focused salons should start with the balance card since it protects real prepaid money from being miscounted.
Does Waya alert a salon when a package balance is running low?
Not automatically — there's no dedicated low-balance trigger. Check the dashboard periodically or send a hand-picked campaign to clients nearing zero to prompt a renewal before the package lapses.
What happens if I use a stamp card instead of a balance card for packages?
A stamp card assumes each transaction is one visit, so a multi-session package purchase distorts the count. A balance card is built specifically to track a prepaid value or session count, which a package actually is.