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Scanner App - Processing Discount Cards

Learn how to process discount card transactions with the Scanner App. Complete guide to recording purchases, tracking spending toward tier progression, monitoring discount percentages, and managing customer advancements.

Michael Francis avatar
Written by Michael Francis
Updated this week

Scanner App - Processing Discount Cards

Overview

The Scanner App allows you to process discount card transactions, tracking customer purchases and automatically managing discount tier progression. This guide covers the complete workflow for discount card operations, including recording purchases and monitoring customer discount levels.

What you can do:

  • Scan customer cards or search by customer details

  • Record purchase amounts to track spending

  • Monitor customer discount tier progression

  • View current discount percentages in real-time

  • Track total customer spending and transaction history

  • Apply appropriate discounts based on customer tier

Before You Begin

Requirements:

Important: Discount cards use spending tiers—as customers accumulate purchases, they automatically advance to higher discount levels. The Scanner App displays the customer's current tier and percentage, but you apply the discount manually at checkout.


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 discount 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 phone or online orders

  • Looking up customer discount level before finalizing sale


Recording Purchase Transactions

Once a customer card is loaded, follow this workflow to record purchases:

Transaction Process

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

  • Check current discount level and percentage

  • View total amount spent to date

  • Note when they last made a purchase

  • See how close they are to the next tier

Step 2: Enter the purchase amount

  • Use the Fill in the purchase amount field

  • Enter the total purchase value before applying any discounts

  • This amount tracks toward tier progression

Important: Enter the full purchase amount before discount. This ensures accurate tier progression tracking.

Step 3: Tap the Add Points button

Step 4: Review the confirmation window

  • Double-check the purchase amount is correct

  • Add an optional internal comment if needed (not visible to customer)

  • Comments help track special circumstances or order details

Step 5: Tap the Add button to confirm

Step 6: Tap Done to complete the transaction

Result: The purchase amount is immediately added to the customer's total spending, and they may advance to a higher discount tier if thresholds are met.


Understanding Discount Tiers

Discount cards operate on a tiered spending system:

How Tiers Work

Tier progression:

  • Customers start at the lowest tier (e.g., 5% discount)

  • As they accumulate purchases, they advance to higher tiers

  • Higher tiers offer increased discount percentages (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%)

  • Progression is automatic based on spending thresholds

Example tier structure:

  • Tier 1: $0-$499 spent = 5% discount

  • Tier 2: $500-$999 spent = 10% discount

  • Tier 3: $1,000-$1,999 spent = 15% discount

  • Tier 4: $2,000+ spent = 20% discount

Your actual tiers and percentages are configured in your discount card settings.

Applying Discounts at Checkout

The Scanner App tracks spending but does not automatically apply discounts. You must apply the discount manually:

Step 1: Note the customer's current discount percentage from the scanner screen

Step 2: Calculate the discount on their purchase

  • Example: $100 purchase with 10% discount = $10 off

  • Customer pays $90

Step 3: Enter the full original amount ($100) in the Scanner App

  • This ensures accurate tier progression

  • Customers advance based on gross spending, not discounted amounts

Step 4: Complete the transaction in your point-of-sale system

  • Apply the discount there

  • Process payment for the discounted amount

Important: Always record the pre-discount amount in the Scanner App to maintain accurate tier progression tracking.


Tier Advancement Notifications

When a purchase pushes a customer to a new tier:

What happens:

  • The customer's tier updates automatically in the system

  • Their new discount percentage displays immediately

  • They see the updated tier in their wallet within moments

  • The new discount applies to future purchases

Communicating tier advances:

  • Check the screen after processing to see if tier changed

  • Announce it to the customer: "Great news! You've reached 15% discount status!"

  • Explain when the new discount takes effect (typically next purchase)

  • Celebrate their loyalty and encourage return visits

Edge case—same transaction advancement: Some businesses apply the new tier discount to the transaction that triggered it. Confirm your business policy and apply consistently.


Customer Information Display

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

Customer Details

  • Name provided during card installation

  • Contact information (phone/email)

  • Customer registration date

Discount Card Information

  • Current discount level - The tier and percentage the customer has earned

  • Total amount spent - Cumulative purchase value across all transactions

  • Card installation date - When customer activated their discount card

  • Last charge date - Most recent purchase transaction

  • Progress to next tier - How much more spending needed for advancement (visible in wallet)

  • Transaction history - Recent purchase records

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


Best Practices

For Accurate Processing

Always use pre-discount amounts: Record the full purchase value before applying discounts to ensure proper tier progression.

Verify amounts before confirming: Double-check the purchase total to prevent errors that affect tier advancement.

Communicate discount clearly: Tell customers: "I'll apply your 10% discount at checkout, and I'm recording this purchase toward your next tier."

Check tier status first: Before ringing up large purchases, scan the card to know which discount to apply.

For Customer Experience

Announce current tier: When scanning the card, mention: "You're at 10% discount today."

Highlight tier progress: "You're only $150 away from 15% discount status!"

Celebrate advancements: When customers reach new tiers, make it a moment: "Congratulations! Starting next time, you'll save 15%!"

Explain the program: For new cardholders, briefly explain how spending accumulates toward higher discounts.

For Sales Strategy

Encourage tier advancement: When customers are close to the next tier, mention it: "If you add one more item, you'll reach the next discount level."

Track high-value customers: Pay attention to customers approaching top tiers and provide VIP service.

Use data for marketing: Note which customers haven't visited recently and consider targeted retention campaigns.

For Team Consistency

Train on tier thresholds: Ensure all staff know your tier structure and can explain it to customers.

Standardize discount application: Make sure everyone applies discounts the same way (at POS, not before recording).

Document special cases: Use comments for unusual situations (price adjustments, refunds, courtesy discounts).


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

Wrong Purchase Amount Entered

Problem: Accidentally entered incorrect value

Solutions:

  • You cannot edit completed transactions in Scanner App

  • Contact administrator to adjust transaction in customer profile dashboard

  • For small errors, note in comment field of next transaction

  • Significant errors may require tier recalculation

Customer's Tier Doesn't Advance

Problem: Customer's spending should trigger new tier but didn't

Solutions:

  • Verify tier thresholds in discount card settings

  • Check if purchase amount was sufficient to cross threshold

  • Wait 10-15 seconds for system to update and refresh

  • Confirm spending total includes all historical purchases

Discount Percentage Seems Wrong

Problem: Customer claims they should have higher discount

Solutions:

  • Review total amount spent shown on scanner screen

  • Compare against tier thresholds in card settings

  • Check transaction history in customer profile for any missing purchases

  • Verify customer is looking at correct card (not old/expired card)

Customer Information Not Displaying

Problem: Scanner shows card but customer details are missing

Solutions:

  • Check if customer completed profile during card installation

  • Some information is optional and may be blank

  • Verify customer updated their profile in wallet app

  • Contact administrator if essential data is missing

Cannot Record Transaction After Discount Applied

Problem: Confusion about which amount to enter

Solutions:

  • Always enter the original pre-discount amount

  • Example: $100 purchase with 10% off → enter $100, not $90

  • This maintains accurate tier progression tracking

  • Apply discount separately in your POS system


FAQ

Q: Does the Scanner App automatically apply discounts to purchases?

A: No, the Scanner App tracks purchases and manages tiers but does not process payments or apply discounts. You must manually apply the discount percentage shown on screen when processing payment in your POS system.

Q: Should I enter the amount before or after applying the discount?

A: Always enter the pre-discount amount. This ensures customers' tier progression is based on their gross spending, not the discounted amount they paid.

Q: When does a new discount tier take effect?

A: Tier advancements are immediate in the system, but confirm your business policy on whether the new discount applies to the current transaction or begins with the next purchase.

Q: Can customers lose their discount tier if they don't shop regularly?

A: This depends on your discount card configuration. Some programs maintain tiers indefinitely, while others may reset annually or after inactivity. Check your card settings for tier expiration rules.

Q: What if a customer makes a return or refund?

A: Returns and refunds must be processed through the customer profile dashboard in your admin panel. The administrator can adjust the total spending and tier if necessary. The Scanner App is for forward transactions only.

Q: Can I manually change a customer's discount tier?

A: No, tiers are calculated automatically based on spending thresholds. If an adjustment is needed, an administrator must modify the transaction history or tier settings in the admin panel.

Q: How do I know what the tier thresholds are?

A: Check your discount card settings in the admin panel. The thresholds and percentages are configured there. Staff should be trained on your specific tier structure.

Q: Can customers combine discount cards with other promotions?

A: This is a business policy decision, not a Scanner App function. Establish clear rules and train staff on whether discounts stack with sales, coupons, or other offers.

Q: What happens if I process the same purchase twice by accident?

A: The customer's spending total will be inflated, potentially advancing them to an unearned tier. Contact your administrator immediately to remove the duplicate transaction and recalculate the tier.

Q: Can customers check their discount level without making a purchase?

A: Yes, customers can see their current tier and percentage directly in their wallet app. They don't need to visit the store or scan their card to check their status.

Q: How do I handle price adjustments or partial refunds?

A: Process these adjustments through the customer profile dashboard in the admin panel. The administrator can modify specific transaction amounts without affecting the entire spending history.

Q: Do customers receive notifications when they advance tiers?

A: This depends on your notification settings in the admin panel. You can configure push notifications for tier advancements to encourage return visits and celebrate customer loyalty.

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