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Setting up the referral program takes five steps: enable the module, verify the auto-created attributes, configure code generation, define when rewards are issued, and set point amounts and caps.

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Step 1: Enable the referral program

Navigate to Referral in the left sidebar and click Enable Referral Program. You will be prompted to confirm before the module is activated.

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Step 2: Auto-created member attributes

When you enable referrals, Loyalife automatically creates two member attributes. These appear on every member profile and are available in reports and rule conditions: These attributes are system-managed. You cannot manually edit their values through the admin portal, though they can be set via API during bulk member imports.

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Step 3: Configure code generation

Choose how referral codes are generated for your member base. Loyalife generates an 8-character uppercase alphanumeric code for each member (e.g., X3FJ92B7). Codes are:
  • Unique across all members
  • Immutable — cannot be changed after generation
  • Automatically assigned to new members on enrollment (when Auto-generate for new enrollments is enabled)
Bulk generation: Use the Bulk Generate option to create codes for all existing members who do not yet have one. This is typically a one-time action at program launch.

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External code management

If your platform manages referral codes independently, disable Loyalife’s code generation. Supply custom codes via API or file upload instead. The Referral Code attribute is available as a field in the member import file.
Referral Code Setup screen showing Automatic mode selected, Auto-generate for New Enrollments toggle enabled, Bulk Generate button, and a preview table of sample referral codes assigned to members
If your mobile app uses AppsFlyer OneLink for deep linking, configure the OneLink template URL in the referral settings. This enables:
  • Device-aware redirects (iOS App Store vs. Google Play Store)
  • Direct app open with referral context if the app is already installed
  • Correct attribution of installs to the referring member
Contact your Loyalife implementation team to connect AppsFlyer OneLink to your referral program.

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Step 5: Set the reward trigger

Define when rewards are distributed to both the referrer and the new member:
“First transaction” is the more common trigger because it ensures the referred member is genuinely engaged before rewards are paid out, reducing the risk of fraudulent or low-quality acquisitions.
Referral Reward Setup tab showing On Activation and On First Transaction trigger options, member lifecycle flow diagram illustrating the referral journey from code share to reward credit, and the Points Allocation section with Referrer Reward and Referee Reward fields

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Step 6: Define point allocations

Set the reward amounts for each party: Setting a referee reward (welcome bonus) increases the new member’s motivation to use the referral code and complete the trigger action.

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Step 7: Set a referral cap

Limit how many successful referrals a single member can earn rewards for. This prevents a small group of power users from dominating your referral budget: Once a member reaches their cap, any additional referrals they generate will not award them points (though the new member’s welcome bonus, if configured, is still issued).

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Fraud controls

These rules are enforced automatically and cannot be disabled:

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Audit trail

All changes to referral configuration — point amounts, triggers, cap settings, and code generation settings — are logged in the Audit Trail with a timestamp and actor. This ensures accountability when multiple managers have access to the referral module.