Set up a birthday automation
A birthday reward is the single most-loved loyalty feature there is — customers plan their birthday treat around it. Here's how to turn it on.
Setup (about 2 minutes)
Merchant Portal → Automations → Birthday.
- Turn it on.
- Choose the reward — bonus points, a free item, or a percentage off. "Free regular scoop during your birthday week" beats "100 points" — be specific about the treat.
- Set the window — we recommend the member's birthday week (7 days), so they have time to come in.
- Write the message — this is what they'll get: "Happy birthday from Sweet Aloha! 🎉 Your free scoop is ready all week — just check in."
- Channel — push notification (free) and/or SMS.
How it fires
- On the member's birthday (or window start), the automation awards the reward and sends the message automatically.
- The reward appears in their app and on your check-in screen when they visit.
- It applies to family members on an account too — each family member gets their own birthday notice, and the reward lands on the primary account with the family member's name on it. See Family accounts.
- Frequency cap: one birthday reward per member per year, automatically — no double-fires, no manual tracking.
Performance
The automation's card shows how many birthdays fired this month and how many came in. Most shops see birthday visits convert at the highest rate of any campaign — it's a gift with a deadline.
Pro tip
Make the birthday reward feel free and generous — this is your best word-of-mouth moment. A $5 freebie that creates a birthday tradition is worth more than a careful margin.
Next steps