Point Programs are a powerful tool for offering reward programs to your users. Point Programs differ from traditional Incentive programs in a number of key ways: users can choose between multiple reward options, different modes can be incentivized at different levels, and reward options can be added or removed mid-program.

Learn more about the differences between Incentives and Point Programs.

Already have your program set up and need help managing it?
Check out our Managing Point Programs article.

How Point Programs Work

In a typical Point Program, users are given points for trips they log. Different modes can be assigned different points. Users are credited with points for any trips with eligible modes taken during the eligible program dates, up to a specified per-day maximum (if desired).

After earning points for logging trips, users can then redeem those points for items from the program’s inventory. Administrators can create any number of inventory items for users to choose from, specifying the cost, total number available, and the maximum number per user for each item. Items can be added or removed at any time during the program.

The basic redemption workflow for Point Program items asks the user for the quantity of the item being purchased, then confirms the transaction with a pop-up instructing the user to contact the program’s Point of Contact with any questions.

A program administrator can then review any outstanding purchases and mark them as rewarded or denied or cancel the request to return the user’s points.

Point Programs can also leverage more sophisticated redemption workflows, such as URL delivery or Digital Inventory.

Point Program Use Cases

• Commuter Store programs, offering users a variety of reward items fulfilled by local administrators
• CommuteRewards, a program designed by RideAmigos that provides an easy way to offer users a selection of 90+ digital gift cards and charitable donations
• Emergency or Guaranteed Ride Home Programs
• Anything else you can dream up!

Creating / Editing Point Programs

Click New Point Program or the Edit button corresponding to the program you wish to modify.

Basic Information

Enter your program’s name and description. Markdown Syntax can be used to add extra styling. Note that certain Markdown tags will not display properly in the mobile app view. You can provide an alternate description for mobile users – otherwise, leave the Mobile Description field blank to use the same description everywhere.

Tags can be added for filtering and searching for programs in administrative views, or other advanced features.

Point of Contact information will be displayed to users who may require additional information about your program.

Network Eligibility

Point Programs can be made available to all users of your platform or limited only to specific users.

After choosing eligible networks, select any networks that should be excluded from the Point Program. Exclusions always over-ride eligibility and can be a very useful way of refining your target audience.

Program editing and reporting privileges can be shared with other network managers, or limited only to System Administrators.

Trip Log Eligibility

Select the start and end dates for eligible trip logs. Only trips logged as having taken place on these days will be credited with points.

The program will appear on eligible users’ Rewards areas on the first day of this period.

The Final Trip Log Entry Cutoff Date is the last day users will be allowed to enter eligible trips AND redeem rewards.

By default, trips taken on any day of the week are counted toward point programs, but you can also select only certain days as eligible (e.g. weekdays only.)

Details

Sources: You can restrict eligibility to only trips logged via specific sources, such as the web interface or any supported connected apps, such as Strava, Waze, or Scoop. This can be useful for only counting trips from higher-confidence tracking sources, or promoting 3rd-party integrations.

Eligible modes: Select any modes you wish to earn points for this program. You can select multiple modes by holding down the ctrl or cmd button while clicking.

Points per trip by modes: For each mode selected you must specify the number of points earned per trip. Whole or decimal values are allowed (e.g. 0.5, 1, 1.6, etc.)

Max points per day: Setting a maximum number of points per day can be useful for managing the maximum rate at which users can earn rewards. This is often set as the amount equivalent to two trips of the maximum-value mode.

Start with points: Users can also be credited with points prior to logging eligible trips, which can be useful for providing a bonus incentive just for signing up.

Late-join trip eligibility: For users that become eligible for the program after already being part of the platform (e.g. added to the eligible network after the program is started) by default any trips taken prior to them becoming eligible, but during the program’s eligible dates, will be rewarded with points. However, it is also possible to specify that only trips taken after a user becomes eligible should be counted.

Display Options

Display as Completed: By default, a Point Program will remain in the Active tab of users’ Rewards areas until the Trip Log Cutoff date has passed. However, some programs are designed to be long-running but with a limited number of item redemptions. For situations like these, you have the option of having your program move to the Completed tab if a user has redeemed the maximum number of all active inventory items.

Display in CommuteTracker: By default, Point Programs appear in both the web view and the CommuteTracker app.  If you wish for a program to only appear in the web view, disable this setting.

Inventory

For each item you wish to offer, set a name, total quantity available, maximum redemptions per user, cost, delivery method, and display order.

If an item’s quantity available reaches zero it will display to users as Sold Out until you add more.

Once an item has been redeemed once certain settings for that item cannot be changed.

Items can be archived to hide them from users and prevent future redemptions. New items can be created at any time during the program.

Delivery Options

Self-managed delivery: The user is shown a basic confirmation method. Program managers can then track, approve, and deny redemptions from the program report.

Simple URL delivery: Specify a URL that should be displayed to users upon redemption. Often useful for sharing downloadable content.

Digital Inventory items: Any items that have been configured in your platform’s Digital Inventory system and available to you can be associated with a point program item. Digital Inventory workflows can include additional forms, distribution of unique redemption codes, customized PDF content, and even custom redemption states with separate workflows. 

Once your program is set up and running you can manage it following the instructions found here: Managing Point Programs.

Point Program Examples

Commuter Store

• Date range – Per quarter or semester
• Eligible modes and points – All non-drive alone modes. 0.5 points/trip for carpool, 1 point/trip for walk, bike, transit, or vanpool, max 2 points/day.
• Inventory – Organization or program-branded items (water bottle, notepad, hat, etc.) ranging from 15-50 points, or points can be redeemed for monthly raffle drawings.
• Delivery method: Self-managed delivery

CommtueRewards

• Date range – Per quarter or semester
• Eligible modes and points – All non-drive alone modes, 1 point/trip, max 2 points/day. All users start with 5 points.
• Inventory – $10, $25, and $50 CommuteRewards, with progressive point values giving more $/point for higher values, priced so that $50 reward reflects the highest expected level of participation.
• Delivery method: Digital Inventory connection to allow automatic reward distribution

Emergency / Guaranteed Ride Home

• Date range – Calendar year
• Eligible modes and points – All users start with 4 points. Select one eligible mode but assign 0 points per trip so no new points are accrued.
• Inventory – Ride Home voucher or digital code, one inventory item for each mode offered (e.g. taxi or rental car)
• Delivery method: Digital Inventory workflow requiring additional user input, providing PDF voucher or digital redemption code.