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Scanner App - Processing Membership Cards - Verifying Member Status

Learn how to process membership card visits with the Scanner App. Complete guide to scanning cards, redeeming visits from prepaid packages, tracking subscriptions, recording costs, and monitoring balances.

Michael Francis avatar
Written by Michael Francis
Updated this week

Scanner App - Processing Membership Cards

Overview

The Scanner App allows you to process membership card visits, tracking usage of prepaid packages or subscription-based services. This guide covers the complete workflow for membership card operations, including redeeming visits and monitoring available balances.

What you can do:

  • Scan customer cards or search by customer details

  • Redeem visits from prepaid membership packages

  • Track available vs. used visits in real-time

  • Record visit costs (optional or required based on settings)

  • Monitor membership status and expiration

  • Process class packs, service bundles, and subscription access

Before You Begin

Requirements:

  • Scanner App installed and configured (see installation guide)

  • Active login session (see login guide)

  • Camera permissions enabled on your device

  • Active membership card program in your account

Important: Membership cards can be configured for free or paid memberships. Paid memberships typically include a set number of visits (e.g., 10-class pack, monthly subscription), while free memberships may offer unlimited access during a validity period.


Scanning a Customer Card

Method 1: Camera Scan

Step 1: Tap the Scan button on the main screen

Step 2: Allow camera access if prompted (first-time only)

  • The camera will activate automatically

  • Position the customer's membership card QR code within the frame

  • The app scans and loads the card automatically

Method 2: Manual Search

If the customer doesn't have their card available, you can search for them:

Step 1: Tap the Search button (magnifying glass icon)

Step 2: Enter customer information in any of these fields:

  • Name - Customer's first or last name

  • Phone number - Mobile number used during card installation

  • Email - Email address from their profile

  • Card serial number - Unique identifier on the card

Step 3: Select the correct customer from search results

When to use manual search:

  • Customer forgot their phone

  • Card won't scan due to screen damage or brightness issues

  • Processing bookings or reservations in advance

  • Checking remaining visits remotely before customer arrives


Redeeming Visits

Once a customer card is loaded, follow this workflow to redeem visits:

Redemption Process

Step 1: Review the customer's membership information displayed on screen

  • Check available visits remaining

  • Verify used visits count

  • Note card installation date and last credit date

  • Confirm membership is active and not expired

Step 2: Set the number of visits to redeem

You have two methods:

Using +/- buttons:

  • Tap the + button to increase the visit count

  • Tap the - button to decrease the visit count

  • Adjust to match the service being provided

Direct entry:

  • Click on the counter field

  • Enter the number of visits using your keyboard (if supported)

Step 3: Tap the Redeem Visits button

Step 4: Review the confirmation window

Double-check the visit count:

  • Verify the number of visits is correct

  • Ensure customer has sufficient visits available

Enter visit cost (if applicable):

  • Some membership settings require recording the visit value

  • Enter the service cost or package value

  • Can be left at 0 if not required by your card settings

  • This helps track membership ROI and service usage

Add optional comment:

  • Note the service provided (e.g., "Yoga class," "Personal training session")

  • Record any special circumstances

  • Comments are internal only and not visible to customers

Step 5: Tap the Proceed button to confirm

Result: Visits are immediately deducted from the customer's available balance and recorded in their transaction history.

Understanding Visit Redemption

Single visit redemption:

  • Most common scenario

  • Customer attends one class, service, or session

  • Redeem 1 visit from their membership

Multiple visit redemption:

  • Use for services that consume multiple visits

  • Examples: 2-hour sessions worth 2 visits, couples classes, premium services

  • Adjust the counter to the appropriate number

Partial package depletion:

  • Customer has 5 visits remaining from a 10-pack

  • They redeem 1 visit today

  • 4 visits remain for future use

Package exhaustion:

  • Customer has 1 visit remaining

  • After redemption, balance reaches 0

  • Customer needs to purchase a new membership to continue


Visit Cost Tracking

The visit cost field serves different purposes depending on your membership configuration:

Optional Cost Field

When it's optional:

  • Your membership card settings don't require cost entry

  • Field can be left at 0 to process redemptions faster

  • Useful for unlimited memberships or fixed-price packages

Why you might still use it:

  • Track actual service value for analytics

  • Calculate ROI on membership packages

  • Understand which services members prefer

  • Generate revenue reports by service type

Required Cost Field

When it's required:

  • Your membership card settings mandate cost entry

  • Cannot proceed without entering a value

  • Common for pay-as-you-go or variable-value memberships

Best practices:

  • Know your standard service prices

  • Enter consistent values for each service type

  • Use this data to optimize membership pricing


Customer Information Display

Below the transaction buttons, the scanner shows comprehensive customer and membership data:

Customer Details

  • Name provided during card installation

  • Contact information (phone/email)

  • Customer registration date

Membership Information

  • Available visits - Remaining visits the customer can use

  • Used visits - Total visits redeemed from this membership

  • Card installation date - When customer activated their membership

  • Last credit date - Most recent visit redemption or package purchase

  • Expiration date - When membership expires (if configured)

  • Membership type - Free or paid designation

This information updates in real-time with every transaction, ensuring you always work with current data.


Best Practices

For Efficient Processing

Check availability first: Always verify the customer has sufficient visits before starting service to avoid awkward situations.

Announce remaining balance: After redemption, let customers know: "You have 7 visits remaining on your membership."

Standard redemption amounts: For most services, redeem 1 visit. Only adjust for premium services or special packages.

Process quickly during busy periods: If cost tracking is optional, skip it during peak times to speed up check-ins.

For Accurate Tracking

Consistent visit values: Use standard costs for each service type (e.g., regular classes = $20, premium = $35) for meaningful analytics.

Descriptive comments: Note the specific service: "Hot yoga class," "30-min massage," "Pool access" rather than generic notes.

Track special scenarios: Use comments for make-up classes, complimentary sessions, or membership courtesy visits.

For Customer Experience

Welcome renewals: When a member's balance is low, proactively mention: "You're down to 2 visits—would you like to purchase another package today?"

Explain visit consumption: For services that use multiple visits, explain before processing: "This 90-minute session uses 2 of your visits."

Celebrate milestones: Recognize loyal members: "This is your 50th class with us—thank you for being such a dedicated member!"

Handle expiration gracefully: If a membership is near expiration, inform the customer and explain renewal options.

For Membership Management

Monitor usage patterns: Pay attention to how quickly members use their visits—this helps optimize package sizes.

Identify at-risk members: Note members who haven't visited recently and consider outreach or retention campaigns.

Track peak times: Record when visits are redeemed to understand capacity needs and popular time slots.


Troubleshooting

Card Won't Scan

Problem: QR code doesn't scan when using camera

Solutions:

  • Increase phone screen brightness

  • Clean phone screen if smudged

  • Use manual search as backup method

  • Try holding the phone at different angles

Insufficient Visits Available

Problem: Customer has 0 visits remaining or fewer than needed

Solutions:

  • Inform customer they need to purchase additional visits

  • Check if they have another active membership

  • Verify card hasn't expired

  • Offer to process purchase of new membership package

Cannot Enter Visit Cost

Problem: Cost field is disabled or not accepting input

Solutions:

  • This field may be optional in your settings

  • Leave at 0 and proceed if not required

  • Check membership card settings if cost tracking is needed

  • Contact administrator if field should be editable but isn't

Wrong Number of Visits Redeemed

Problem: Accidentally redeemed incorrect number of visits

Solutions:

  • Cannot undo completed transactions in Scanner App

  • Contact administrator to adjust visits in customer profile dashboard

  • Process reverse transaction (credit visits back) if authorized

  • Add comment explaining the correction for audit trail

Membership Shows as Expired

Problem: Customer says membership should still be valid

Solutions:

  • Check expiration date in membership card settings

  • Verify customer is within validity period

  • Confirm no automatic expiration occurred after visit depletion

  • Contact administrator to extend expiration if error occurred

Visit Balance Doesn't Update

Problem: Customer says their available visits aren't showing correctly

Solutions:

  • Ask customer to pull down to refresh their wallet

  • Wait 10-15 seconds for sync (especially on slower connections)

  • Verify transaction completed successfully (confirmation appeared)

  • Check transaction history in customer profile dashboard


FAQ

Q: What's the difference between free and paid memberships?

A: Free memberships typically grant unlimited access during a validity period without visit limits. Paid memberships include a prepaid number of visits (e.g., 10-class pack) that get depleted with each use. Your membership settings determine which type you're using.

Q: Can I redeem more visits than the customer has available?

A: No, the Scanner App prevents over-redemption. You can only redeem up to the available visit balance. If the customer needs more visits, they must purchase an additional membership package.

Q: Can customers use the same membership at multiple locations?

A: This depends on your multi-location settings. If locations share membership data, yes. If locations are configured separately, memberships are location-specific. Check your account settings for multi-location configuration.

Q: What happens when a membership reaches 0 visits?

A: The membership is depleted and cannot be used until the customer purchases a new package or the membership is refilled. The card remains in their wallet but shows 0 available visits.

Q: Do I always need to enter the visit cost?

A: It depends on your membership card settings. If configured as optional, you can leave it at 0. If required, you must enter a value to complete the transaction. Even when optional, entering costs provides valuable business analytics.

Q: Can I redeem partial visits?

A: No, the Scanner App only processes whole number visit redemptions. If you need to track partial usage, configure your membership to use decimal visits or adjust your visit values (e.g., make premium services worth 2 visits).

Q: How do I handle make-up classes or complimentary sessions?

A: Redeem the visit normally but add a comment like "Make-up session" or "Complimentary visit." This maintains accurate visit tracking while noting the special circumstance.

Q: Can customers share memberships with others?

A: Memberships are tied to the individual who installed the card. Sharing is possible if the original member provides access, but each visit will still deduct from their available balance. Consider creating separate memberships for better tracking.

Q: What if a customer loses their phone with their membership?

A: Customers can restore their membership card using the restore feature (see restore guide). Their visit balance is preserved in your system and accessible once they reinstall the card.

Q: Can I add visits to an existing membership?

A: Adding visits must be done through the customer profile dashboard in your admin panel, not through the Scanner App. Contact your administrator to credit additional visits to a member's account.

Q: How do I track which services members use most?

A: Use the visit cost field and consistent comments for each service type. This data appears in your analytics and helps understand member preferences and optimize your membership offerings.

Q: Can memberships auto-renew?

A: Auto-renewal is configured in your membership settings in the admin panel, not in the Scanner App. The Scanner App processes visit redemptions regardless of renewal status. Check your settings for subscription and auto-renewal options.

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