Passes
Passes are digital cards that live in your customers' Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. They're the core of everything you do in WalletHero — every loyalty card, ticket, coupon, or offer you create is a pass.
Templates vs Individual Passes
Think of it like printing business cards:
- Pass Template = The design you create (your business card layout)
- Pass = Each individual card you give out (one for each customer)
You create one template, then issue thousands of individual passes to customers. Each pass can have personalized information while sharing the same design.
Types of Passes
Choose the type that best fits your use case:
Loyalty Cards
Best for ongoing customer relationships. Shows membership info, points balance, and tier status.
What customers see:
- Your brand logo
- Their name and member ID
- Points balance
- Current tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.)
- Barcode for scanning at checkout
Great for: Retail stores, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, gyms
Event Tickets
Best for one-time or recurring events. Shows event details and entry information.
What customers see:
- Event name and date
- Venue and seat information
- Entry time
- QR code for scanning at the door
Great for: Concerts, conferences, sporting events, classes, appointments
Coupons
Best for promotional offers with expiration dates.
What customers see:
- Offer description
- Discount amount or percentage
- Expiration date
- Redemption barcode
Great for: Seasonal promotions, new customer offers, partner deals
Generic Passes
A flexible format for anything else.
What customers see:
- Whatever information you need to display
- Customizable layout
Great for: ID cards, membership cards, access badges, boarding passes
Creating a Pass Template
Step 1: Choose Your Type
Select the pass type that matches your use case. This determines the basic layout and available fields.
Step 2: Design the Look
Use the visual editor to customize your pass:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Logo | Your brand mark (appears at top) |
| Icon | Small image for notifications |
| Colors | Background, text, and label colors |
| Images | Header image, background, or thumbnail |
The editor shows a live preview so you can see exactly how it will look on both iPhone and Android.
Step 3: Configure Fields
Decide what information to display:
Standard Fields:
- Cardholder name
- Email address
- Member ID or ticket number
Custom Fields:
- Points balance
- Tier or level
- Visit count
- Expiration date
- Any other data you want to track
Step 4: Set Up the Barcode
Choose the barcode type for scanning:
- QR Code — Best for most uses, easy to scan
- Code 128 — Traditional barcode format
- PDF417 — High-capacity barcode
- Aztec — Compact square code
The barcode can encode the pass ID, member number, or any identifier your system needs.
Pass Fields Explained
What Shows on the Pass
You control what customers see on their pass:
| Location | Best For |
|---|---|
| Header | Logo and pass type |
| Primary Fields | Most important info (points, event name) |
| Secondary Fields | Supporting details (tier, date) |
| Auxiliary Fields | Additional info (location, terms) |
| Back Fields | Full details, terms, contact info |
Custom Fields
Custom fields store data that can change over time:
Points Balance (Number)
- Tracks loyalty points
- Updates when customers earn or redeem
Membership Tier (Text)
- Shows current level
- Changes when customers upgrade
Visit Count (Number)
- Tracks store visits
- Updates on each check-in
Expiration Date (Date)
- Shows when pass expires
- Useful for time-limited offers
Managing Individual Passes
Issuing Passes
Create passes for customers in several ways:
- Manual Creation — Add one pass at a time from the dashboard
- Bulk Import — Upload a spreadsheet of customers
- Landing Page — Let customers sign up themselves
- Email Campaign — Send passes directly to customers
Updating Passes
When you update a pass, changes appear on the customer's phone automatically:
- Update points → New balance shows immediately
- Change tier → Pass design can switch to match
- Add notification → Message appears on lock screen
Sending Notifications
Send messages that appear on customers' lock screens:
- "You earned 50 points on your last visit!"
- "Your Gold status renews in 7 days"
- "Flash sale: 20% off today only!"
Notifications get attention without requiring customers to open an app.
Pass Lifecycle
A pass goes through several stages:
- Created — Pass generated in WalletHero
- Delivered — Sent to customer via email/link
- Installed — Customer added it to their wallet
- Active — In use, receiving updates
- Updated — Data changed, notification sent
- Expired — (Optional) Pass marked as no longer valid
Best Practices
Design Tips
- Keep it simple — Limited space means clear, focused information
- High contrast — Make sure text is readable
- Brand consistency — Match your other marketing materials
- Test on devices — Check how it looks on real phones
Information Tips
- Show what matters — Customers want quick access to key info
- Update regularly — Fresh data keeps passes relevant
- Use notifications wisely — Don't overwhelm customers with messages
Distribution Tips
- Multiple channels — Offer passes via email, website, and in-store
- Clear value — Tell customers why they should add your pass
- Easy process — One tap to add, no friction