This guide will explore how to configure your VIP Program Settings within BrandLift Loyalty & Referrals. These configuration options enable you to tailor your VIP Program to reflect your brand's unique identity and customer engagement approach. We'll delve into three key components: when your program begins, how customers join, and the duration of tier memberships.

Program Start Date

The Program Start Date plays a key role in determining when your VIP tier system begins tracking points or purchases. Consider this scenario: a customer may have a total of 500 points, but if you've set your Program Start Date to February, only the points accumulated from February onward will contribute to their tier advancement.

To update your VIP Program Start Date:

1. Navigate to Programs > VIP from your Loyalty dashboard.
2. Scroll down to Program Settings.
3. Click Edit on Program Start Date.
4. Select a date and click Update.
5. Your customer's tiers will be recalculated based on the new start date.

Entry Method

The Entry Method is how your customers ascend the VIP tiers. There are three options to choose from:

1. Points Earned: Choose this option if you'd like customers to progress based on the number of points they've accrued through your Points Program.
2. Amount Spent: This option allows customers to advance based on their total expenditure in your store.
3. Number of Orders Placed: Select this if you want the number of orders a customer places to determine their VIP tier.

Choose the Entry Method that aligns best with your business model and customer base.

To update your VIP Program Entry Method:

1. Navigate to Programs > VIP from your Loyalty dashboard.
2. Go to VIP Program Settings.
3. Click Edit on Entry Method.
4. Select your preferred Entry Method and click Update.
5. Your customer's tiers will be recalculated based on the new entry method.

Tier Progress Expiry

Tier Progress Expiry determines the duration customers have to reach a VIP Tier.

1. A lifetime: With this generous option, there is no time limit for customers to achieve tiers. They can take as long as they need to progress through the different VIP Tiers.
2. A full calendar year: Select this option to set a time limit, giving customers until December 31 (end of the calendar year) from your Program Start Date to reach a VIP Tier. After this period, their progress resets. On January 1, they must start from zero to accumulate the required amount for the next tier, without counting any spend from the previous year. This defined time limit can boost customer activity and engagement.

To update your VIP Program Expiration:

1. Navigate to Programs > VIP from your Loyalty dashboard.
2. Go to VIP Program Settings.
3. Click Edit on Tier Progress Expiry.
4. Select the option you prefer and click Update.
5. Your customer's tiers will be recalculated based on the new start date.