> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.qtap.qa/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Points Programs Overview

> How points programs work in Qtap and what settings are available.

A points program assigns points to customers based on how much they spend. You set how many points they earn per currency unit, and they spend those points on rewards you define. Qtap tracks balances and issues rewards automatically when a customer reaches a threshold.

<Frame caption="The Points page lists each program with its status. Use the tabs to filter, or Create Program to add one.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qtap/hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3/images/merchants/points/points-overview-list.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3&q=85&s=d5efe6520fd89f6a2c45d9f66bde0bd4" alt="The Points Programs page showing a program card with an Active status badge, the All, Active, Drafts, and Inactive filter tabs, and the Create Program button" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/merchants/points/points-overview-list.png" />
</Frame>

## How points programs work

When a customer makes a purchase, staff record the transaction amount in the Qtap app. The customer earns points based on your **Points per currency** setting. For example, if you set 1 point per 1 QAR and a customer spends 50 QAR, they earn 50 points.

When a customer's balance reaches a reward threshold you've set, they receive the reward automatically and can redeem it on their next visit.

## What you can configure

**Program details**

* **Program Name** — shown to members in the app
* **Description** — a short line displayed on the card
* **Points per currency** — how many points a member earns per one unit of your currency. Defaults to 1.
* **Currency** — the currency your program is denominated in. Defaults to QAR.
* **Card Icon** — an emoji shown on the points card
* **Card Color** — the background color of the card

<Frame caption="The program details: name, points per currency, currency, description, card color, and a live preview of how the card looks in the app.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qtap/hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3/images/merchants/points/points-overview-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3&q=85&s=8325004ef10e4ed40713f922b5508aed" alt="The Create Points Program form showing the Program Name, Points per, Currency, and Description fields, the Card Color swatches, and a phone preview of the points card" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/merchants/points/points-overview-settings.png" />
</Frame>

**Rewards**

You add one or more rewards and set a points threshold for each. When a member's balance hits that number, the reward is issued. For example, a free coffee at 100 points, or 20% off at 500 points.

**Expiry rules**

You can set points to expire, which encourages customers to visit more often. Options for expiry type are:

* **From earn date** — points expire a set number of days after they are earned
* **From last activity** — the clock resets every time the customer earns new points
* **Calendar year** — points expire at the end of each calendar year

If you leave expiry off, points never expire.

<Frame caption="The three expiry types: from the date points are earned, from the member's last activity, or at the end of the calendar year.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qtap/hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3/images/merchants/points/points-overview-expiry.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hPDg3JS3G3Wiayc3&q=85&s=2a5621f083e1831e48ccde505c8c653e" alt="The Expiry Type dropdown open, showing From date earned, From last activity, and End of calendar year" width="373" height="126" data-path="images/merchants/points/points-overview-expiry.png" />
</Frame>

**Availability period**

You can restrict the program to a specific date range. If set, members can only earn points between the start and end dates you define.

**Valid Locations**

You can limit the program to specific locations. If no locations are selected, the program is valid at all your locations.

**Terms and conditions**

Optional text shown on the back of the card in the member app.

## Program statuses

* **Draft** — saved but not visible to members yet
* **Active** — live and available for members to join
* **Inactive** — no longer accepting new members or points transactions

<Warning>
  You cannot switch between a stamp cards program and a points program after onboarding is complete. If you need to change your loyalty type, contact Qtap support.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Points programs and stamp cards share the same plan limit for loyalty cards. Your total number of active programs (stamps and points combined) cannot exceed your plan's loyalty card limit.
</Note>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Creating a Points Program" href="/merchants/points/creating">
    Step-by-step guide to setting up your first points program.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Points Operations" href="/merchants/points/operations">
    How staff issue points and process redemptions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>