In 2025, customer loyalty plays a major role in the success of rental businesses. Whether you’re renting out photography gear, wedding décor, tools, or formalwear, building customer trust leads to more frequent bookings and stronger long-term relationships.
This is where rental loyalty programs become essential. These programs help turn casual renters into repeat customers using simple features that you can manage directly within your rental management software like Booqable.
This guide covers why loyalty programs matter now more than ever, the benefits they bring to your business, and how to create one using Booqable’s built-in tools.
Why rental loyalty programs matter more than ever
Renting has become a mainstream option across many industries, and customers now expect more from the businesses they choose. Loyalty programs are no longer just a bonus; they are often the deciding factor for repeat bookings.
Whether someone is renting sound systems for events, bikes for a weekend trip, or camera lenses for a shoot, they are more likely to return to a business that acknowledges and rewards their loyalty.
A rental loyalty program does more than offer discounts. It creates a sense of recognition and gives customers a reason to return.
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The real benefits of rental loyalty programs
More repeat rentals
Customers who feel valued are more likely to come back. Even modest rewards can lead to consistent return behavior.
Higher order value
Loyal customers often upgrade their rentals or add more items to their order once they know they are part of a loyalty program.
Deeper customer insight
Having customers register accounts allows you to track rental history, review frequency, and identify your most active and valuable customers.
Increased referrals
Satisfied customers talk. Whether it’s a stylist who rents regularly or a corporate event planner, people recommend businesses that treat them well.
How to reward customer loyalty with Booqable
Setting up a loyalty program in Booqable is quick and manageable. You can use your existing customer database and a few clicks to get started.
Here is a complete guide to each step:
Invite customers to create an account
Accounts allow customers to log in when booking online, so any changes you make to their customer profile will automatically update when they are placing their next rental order. They also help you keep records and apply personalized rewards.
How to do this in Booqable
You have two ways to encourage account creation:
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Make sign-up required during checkout You can configure your Booqable online store to require customers to create an account before completing a booking. This ensures every customer is entered into your database and ready for loyalty perks.
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Send an account invite manually Through the backend, you can send customers a registration link. From the Customers tab, click on a customer and choose “Send account invite” to give them an easy way to register.
For example, a fashion rental boutique requires account creation before customers can reserve items. This allows the business to track usage and reward returning renters with automatic perks.
Apply recurring discounts to customer profiles
Recurring discounts offer long-term value to loyal renters. Customers do not need to request deals or apply codes. Their discount is always ready.
How to do this in Booqable
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For a single customer Go to the customer profile in the Booqable dashboard. Click “Edit,” find the Pricing section, and enter a recurring discount percentage.
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For multiple customers Select several customer profiles from the customer list. Use the “Actions” dropdown and choose “Edit customer.” You can then apply a recurring discount to every selected customer with a single click.
For example, a tool rental shop applies a 15 percent discount to a group of repeat contractor clients using the bulk edit tool. These customers now receive their discount automatically every time they book.
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Tag loyalty customers
Tags allow you to label and organize loyalty program members. This is useful for creating groups like VIP, returning customers, or monthly renters.
How to do this in Booqable
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Tag one customer Open their profile, click the “Tags” field, and add any label you want, such as “VIP” or “Loyalty Member.”
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Tag customers in bulk From the customer list, select all the customers you want to tag. Open the “Actions” dropdown and click “Edit tags.” Add the appropriate tag and apply it to the whole group.
For example, a camera rental company tags their weekly commercial clients as “Pro Tier” so staff know who qualifies for express pickups and special inventory access.
Set up customer barcodes
Barcodes make it easy to look up customer profiles instantly during pickups or returns. They also create a more professional and efficient loyalty program experience.
How to do this in Booqable
Open a customer profile and find the Barcode section. Click to generate a unique barcode for that customer. The barcode can be scanned at any time and is tied directly to their account.
You can also save time by selecting all your loyalty customers by their tag and using the bulk “Actions” menu to select “Generate barcodes.” Each customer will have a unique barcode assigned to their profile, which will automatically apply their discount when scanned onto an order.
For instance, an audio equipment rental service creates barcode IDs for loyal production companies. When they arrive on-site for pickup, staff scan their card to load their account and confirm discounts.
Export and print loyalty barcodes
Printed loyalty cards with barcodes make it simple to verify customers and give them something they can carry or display in-store.
How to do this in Booqable
If you’re already using loyalty cards with barcodes or QR codes on them, you can assign these to customers in Booqable. If you would like to create QR codes from scratch, you can do that straight from your Booqable backend.
For example, a party and event rental business prints branded loyalty cards with barcodes and includes them with deliveries. This allows customers to present the card when making future bookings.
Distribute loyalty cards to customers
Giving a customer their own loyalty card adds a personal touch. It reminds them they are part of an exclusive group and gives them a quick way to identify themselves in future orders.
How to do this in Booqable
Cards can be handed out in-store, mailed, or even sent digitally for customers to display on their phone.
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Use the Booqable mobile app to scan customer barcodes
The mobile app allows you to scan barcodes with your phone or tablet. This helps staff identify customers and apply loyalty benefits instantly, whether they are in the store or working off-site.
How to do this in Booqable
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Download the Booqable app from the App Store or Google Play
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Log in to your Booqable account
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Tap the scanner icon
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Point your device’s camera at the customer’s barcode
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The app will pull up the customer’s previous orders immediately. You can also scan a customer’s barcode to assign them to an order.
Learn more about this in our barcode and locations help article.
Rental loyalty programs keep customers coming back
Rental loyalty programs help your business maintain strong relationships with repeat customers. These programs encourage people to rent again and again without relying on one-time discounts or campaigns.
Using a software like Booqable, you can build your loyalty program directly inside your dashboard. It is easy to set up, flexible for different customer groups, and works for both online and in-store rentals.
Get started by asking customers to sign up, offering recurring rewards, and using barcode tools to make loyalty an easy part of your rental experience. Want help setting up your own loyalty program? Contact our team or visit the Help Center for tutorials and tips.
