AOV Uplift via Top-up Bonus
AOV Uplift via Top-up Bonus
Section titled “AOV Uplift via Top-up Bonus”The goal
Section titled “The goal”Increase the average amount clients load onto their account per top-up session, which drives larger balance reserves, longer sessions, and higher per-visit revenue.
How a top-up bonus moves AOV
Section titled “How a top-up bonus moves AOV”A client deciding how much to top up makes a simple calculation: “Is the extra bonus worth topping up more?” With a tiered structure, the answer is yes at each threshold. A client who would normally top up their average amount stretches to the next tier to unlock a meaningfully higher percentage.
The key: each tier must feel like a genuine reward, not a marginal bump. A 1% increase between tiers doesn’t move behaviour. 4–8 percentage points does.
Step 1. Measure your baseline
Section titled “Step 1. Measure your baseline”Before configuring anything — find your current average top-up amount. This is the anchor for your tier structure.
How to measure: How to calculate average top-up in IZI.
Also note: the distribution of top-ups. If most clients cluster at one amount, your tier 1 threshold should sit just above that cluster.
Step 2. Design your tier structure
Section titled “Step 2. Design your tier structure”Build three tiers from your baseline average top-up:
| Tier | Threshold | Bonus % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (base) | ~1.3× average | 4–6% |
| 2 (mid) | ~2.5–3× average | 10–14% |
| 3 (high) | ~5–6× average | 18–22% |
These are parametric. If your average top-up is 150:
- Tier 1: 200, 5%
- Tier 2: 400, 12%
- Tier 3: 800, 20%
Adjust percentages based on your margin. If bar margins are 60%+, you have room to be generous. If gaming margin is thin, keep tier 3 under 20%.
Step 3. Configure in IZI
Section titled “Step 3. Configure in IZI”For each tier, create a separate bonus rule in Settings → Bonuses → Rules:
- Trigger: Balance top-up
- Condition: Minimum top-up amount = tier threshold
- Reward: Bonus percentage = tier %
- Priority: higher tiers get higher priority (or use “max matching rule” logic if available)
- Validity: 30 days recommended (creates urgency to return without frustrating regulars)
- Save.
Test: top up at each threshold amount in a test account and verify the correct bonus is credited.
Step 4. Activate at the cashier
Section titled “Step 4. Activate at the cashier”The bonus doesn’t work if clients don’t know about it. Brief every staff member on the tiers:
“We have a bonus program — if a client tops up [tier 2 threshold] or more, they get [tier 2 %] bonus. If they’re about to top up less, mention it.”
Add a small sign at the cashier showing the tiers. Clients self-select into higher tiers when the information is visible.
Step 5. Measure impact
Section titled “Step 5. Measure impact”After 6–8 weeks:
- In Analytics → Bonuses — check total bonus accrued by rule (how often each tier was hit)
- In Analytics → Transactions — compare average top-up amount before and after
- In Analytics → Revenue — compare ARPU for the period vs the same period prior
Key signal: are more clients hitting tier 2 and tier 3 than before? Is average top-up moving up?
If tier 2 and 3 are rarely hit — the thresholds may be too high or clients don’t know about the program. Lower the thresholds or improve visibility.
If all clients are clustering at tier 3 — your thresholds are too low and you’re giving away more bonus than needed. Raise tier 2 and 3 thresholds.
Step 6. Iterate
Section titled “Step 6. Iterate”The tier structure isn’t permanent. After the first measurement cycle:
- If adoption is low: lower tier thresholds by 15–20%
- If bonus spend/accrual ratio is below 50%: clients are earning but not returning — address retention separately (see newcomer retention)
- If working well: consider adding a fourth tier for your highest-spend clients
What to watch out for
Section titled “What to watch out for”Bonus farming — a client who tops up only to hit a tier and immediately cashes the bonus on a short session. Mitigate with a minimum session requirement condition on the bonus rule or a longer validity period.
Staff gaming — admins applying discounts alongside the bonus program. Keep discount and bonus data separate in reports.
Low spend/accrual ratio — if clients earn but don’t return to spend, the bonus cost is pure loss. This is a retention problem, not a bonus problem.
See also
Section titled “See also”Frequently asked questions
What is AOV in the context of a gaming club?
AOV (average order value) here means the average amount a client spends per visit — average session revenue plus any bar orders. A top-up bonus can influence the top-up size, which in turn increases the available balance per visit and drives higher session and bar spend.
How long until I see measurable results?
The first data signals appear in 3–4 weeks — enough clients will have topped up, received bonus, and returned to spend it. A statistically meaningful comparison requires 6–8 weeks.
What if my average top-up is very low?
Start by measuring your actual average top-up ([how to find it](/how-to/calculate-avg-topup-in-club/)). If it's low, a tiered structure with tier 1 set at 1.1–1.3× the average can still move behavior — clients who would top up the baseline amount will stretch slightly for the bonus.
Should I tell clients about the bonus program?
Yes. Clients who don't know about the tiers won't optimize for them. A sign at the cashier or a line in the welcome message ('Top up 300 or more and get 10% bonus') is enough to activate the behaviour.