Earning Methods
The earning method (accrual_mode) is a company-level setting that determines how loyalty balance is tracked and displayed. It is set during onboarding and affects every points campaign, cashback calculation, and balance display in the platform.
When to use each method
Points — traditional loyalty currency
Best for programs where customers collect a branded currency ("points", "stars", "miles") that they redeem for rewards or discounts. The abstraction from euros gives the brand control over the perceived value and creates a sense of accumulation.
Typical use cases: retail, fashion, sports, beauty — programs where the loyalty currency is part of the brand experience.
Money wallet — direct monetary value
Best for programs where the reward is expressed directly in euros (or local currency). Customers see exactly what they have saved, with no conversion needed. The wallet feels like a payment method — familiar, transparent, and immediately useful at checkout.
Typical use cases: grocery retail, supermarkets, petrol stations — programs where simplicity and immediacy matter most.
A common grocery model: club offers from promotional campaigns (weekly leaflet deals, partner CPG promotions) credit the customer's wallet directly in euros. The accumulated balance — say €3.20 from this week's offers — is available as a direct discount at the next checkout, with no points conversion required. This creates a "digital savings book" experience that drives frequency and cart size.
Two earning methods
| Method | Balance type | Display | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Points ("points") | Integer points | "150 pts" | Traditional loyalty programs with a points currency |
Money wallet ("money") | Monetary wallet | "€8.30" | Wallet programs where earned value is expressed in currency |
Both methods use the same campaigns, lifecycle, API endpoints, and score_transactions ledger. The difference is in how values are expressed.
How the earning method affects effect values
Ratio effect
| Method | Value format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Integer | value: 2 → earn 2 pts per €1 spent |
| Money wallet | Decimal | value: 0.05 → earn €0.05 per €1 spent (5% cashback wallet) |
Direct value effect
| Method | Value format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Integer | value: 200 → earn 200 pts |
| Money wallet | Decimal | value: 5.00 → earn €5.00 wallet |
Percentage effect
Always returns a percentage of the qualifying line value. The output unit adapts to the earning method — pts or currency.
How the earning method affects cashback
| Method | Cashback rate | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Defined in Score Exchange (e.g. 100 pts = €1.00) | Points → € via exchange rate |
| Money wallet | 1:1 — €1 wallet = €1 discount | No conversion needed |
In money wallet mode, the Score Exchange configuration is not required for cashback — the wallet balance is already in currency.
Balance fields in the API response
Regardless of method, the API always returns both the raw balance and its monetary equivalent:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
score | Total accumulated balance (raw — pts or monetary cents depending on method) |
score_as_money | Monetary equivalent of score |
score_available | Spendable balance (raw) |
score_available_as_money | Monetary equivalent of score_available |
Switching earning method
Changing accrual_mode after go-live is a significant operation that affects all existing balances, campaign configurations, and display in the app. It must be coordinated with the Loyal Guru Customer Success Manager and requires a migration window.
Do not attempt to change accrual_mode independently. Contact your CSM to plan the migration.