Which member status is set as the default in a loyalty program?

In a loyalty program, the default member status is typically set to "Active." This is because members who enroll in a loyalty program are expected to have an immediate and engaging relationship with the program, allowing them to earn rewards and benefits right away. By starting with an "Active" status, the program facilitates a seamless user experience where new members can begin participating and reaping the advantages of the program without any barriers.

The other statuses, such as "Pending," "Inactive," or "Expired," serve specific purposes primarily related to the lifecycle of the member’s engagement with the program. For instance, "Pending" might be used for new sign-ups that have not yet completed all required processes or verifications, while "Inactive" generally denotes a member who has not engaged with the program for a certain period. "Expired" indicates that a member’s status has lapsed, often due to not meeting program requirements or failing to churn points before a deadline. These statuses are important for tracking member engagement but are not the initial state for new members. Hence, "Active" is the most appropriate and functional default status in a loyalty program.