How to Make Your Rewards Stand Out from Competitors

YumDealz Agents
Aug 14
2 min read

~Proudly rewarding South Africans, one stamp at a time.

In a crowded marketplace, loyalty programs can start to look the same: a free coffee after 10 purchases, a discount voucher after a certain spend, maybe a birthday freebie. While these rewards work, they often blend into the noise.

If you want customers to choose you over the shop next door, you need rewards that stand out — rewards that spark curiosity, feel personal, and create a story they’ll share.

Here’s how to make your loyalty perks unforgettable.

1. Go Beyond Discounts: Offer Experiences

Price cuts are nice, but experiences are memorable.

A behind-the-scenes kitchen tour for loyal café visitors.
VIP seating at a local event or live music night.

Why it works: People remember moments more than rands saved.

2. Tap into South African Culture

Make rewards that feel local and proudly South African.

Heritage Day braai packs for point redemptions in September.
Free bunny chow Friday for every 15th purchase.
Double points on Bafana Bafana match days.

Why it works: It creates an emotional link between your brand and your customer’s lifestyle.

3. Surprise and Delight: Random Rewards

Instead of only rewarding predictable milestones, add random acts of generosity.

“Mystery Monday” – every Monday one random customer wins their entire basket free.
“Lucky Point Drop” – randomly give an extra 200 points to an unsuspecting shopper.

Why it works: People talk about surprises. It feels less like marketing and more like magic.

4. Reward More Than Just Purchases

Customers don’t only interact with your brand at the till. Reward other actions:

Points for referring friends.
Points for posting a review or tagging your store on Instagram.
Rewards for completing a survey that helps you improve.

Why it works: You’re turning customers into active promoters of your brand.

5. Create Limited-Time “Collectibles”

Turn rewards into something to collect or complete.

Seasonal reward menus (Summer Specials, Winter Warmers).
Limited-edition mugs, T-shirts, or tote bags for top spenders.

Why it works: Scarcity and exclusivity drive engagement — people don’t want to miss out.

The YumDealz Advantage

YumDealz gives South African businesses the tools to design creative, flexible, and personalised loyalty rewards without extra admin. From tracking customer habits to sending targeted offers instantly, you can stay ahead of your competitors and keep customers coming back.

Bottom line: In a world of copy-and-paste loyalty programs, uniqueness is your weapon. Make your rewards personal, surprising, and culturally relevant, and you won’t just build loyalty — you’ll build a fanbase.