Subscription brands on Shopify face a recurring problem: customers earn loyalty points on one-time purchases but have no visibility into their rewards when managing subscriptions. Connecting Skio with a Shopify loyalty program solves this by creating a unified experience where subscribers can earn, view, and redeem points across every purchase type. The integration ranges from automatic setup to advanced configurations—and the payoff includes reduced churn, higher customer lifetime value, and a frictionless experience that keeps subscribers engaged.
Key Takeaways
- Skio integrates natively with loyalty platforms including Rivo, enabling subscribers to earn points automatically on recurring orders without additional configuration
- Three implementation paths exist: basic automatic setup (works immediately), custom loyalty display blocks (20-30 minutes), and advanced auto-apply referrals (20 minutes)
- A key Rivo-exclusive feature is auto-apply referral discounts for Skio subscribers—eliminating manual discount code entry entirely
- Custom loyalty blocks in the Skio portal require the Developer Toolkit enabled, plus code snippets from Rivo's documentation
- For example, HexClad saw 17% higher AOV from referred customers and generated significant revenue within the first 90 days
- Points typically appear within 15-30 minutes of subscription order processing—set customer expectations via post-purchase emails
- Shopify Plus stores should enable Multipass for seamless login across Skio, Shopify, and your loyalty platform
Understanding the Synergy: Skio Subscriptions and Loyalty Programs
Subscription businesses live and die by retention metrics. When subscribers can't see their loyalty status, earn points on recurring orders, or redeem rewards toward their subscription, they're missing half the value equation. The disconnect creates friction—and friction creates churn.
Skio handles subscription billing, customer portals, and retention flows for Shopify stores. When integrated with a loyalty platform, it enables:
- Automatic points earning on every subscription renewal
- Reward redemption directly applicable to subscription orders
- Loyalty status visibility within the subscription management portal
- Referral rewards that auto-apply to active subscriptions
The business case is straightforward. Subscribers who engage with loyalty programs demonstrate higher lifetime value. They renew longer, spend more per order, and refer more friends. Connecting these systems transforms passive subscribers into active program participants.
Skio sends over 25 event metrics that can trigger loyalty actions—subscription created, renewed, paused, cancelled, and more. This data flow enables sophisticated loyalty rules that reward specific subscriber behaviors.
Prerequisites for a Seamless Skio-Loyalty Integration
Before starting the integration, verify you have:
Platform Requirements:
- Active Shopify store (Shopify Plus recommended for Multipass)
- Skio subscription app installed and configured
- Loyalty platform account on a compatible plan
- Admin access to both Skio and loyalty platform dashboards
For Custom Loyalty Displays:
- Developer Toolkit access enabled in your loyalty platform
- Ability to paste HTML/CSS code into Skio's custom block feature
- Test customer account for verification
For Auto-Apply Referral Discounts (Rivo Only):
- Skio API key generated from your Skio dashboard
- Rivo Plus or Scale plan with API access
Shopify Plus Stores:
- Multipass enabled for seamless cross-platform login
- This eliminates the common "loyalty data not displaying" issue
Step-by-Step: Connecting Skio Subscription Data to Your Loyalty Program
Three implementation paths exist, ranging from zero-code automatic setup to advanced API integration.
Option 1: Basic Integration (Automatic)
This method requires minimal configuration. Once both apps are installed, points earning works automatically.
Step 1: Verify Order Settings (2 minutes)
- Open your loyalty platform dashboard
- Navigate to Order Settings
- Confirm "subscription orders" is included as an earning channel
Step 2: Configure Subscription Rewards (10 minutes)
- Go to Rewards section
- Edit each reward you want applicable to subscriptions
- Set "Purchase Type" to include "Subscription orders"
Step 3: Test the Flow (5 minutes)
- Place a test subscription order
- Verify points appear within 15-30 minutes
- Confirm redemption works on subscription checkout
Total Time: Works immediately once configured
Option 2: Custom Loyalty Data Display
This method adds a loyalty dashboard directly within the Skio customer portal—so subscribers see their points balance, available rewards, and referral link without leaving the subscription management interface.
Step 1: Enable Developer API (5 minutes)
- Open your loyalty platform dashboard
- Navigate to Settings > Developer Toolkit
- Switch API to "ON"
Step 2: Copy Code Snippet (5 minutes)
- Visit your loyalty platform's help center
- Select block type: Rewards & Referrals, Rewards Only, or Referrals Only
- Copy the HTML/CSS code from the documentation
Step 3: Paste into Skio Portal (5 minutes)
- Open Skio Dashboard
- Go to Customer Portal > Portal Settings
- Scroll to "Custom Block" section
- Paste code and click "Publish"
Step 4: Verify Display (5 minutes)
- Log into Skio portal as a test customer
- Note: Customer must be logged into Shopify account for non-Multipass stores
- Confirm points balance and referral info display correctly
Total Time: 20-30 minutes
Option 3: Auto-Apply Referral Discounts (Advanced)
This Rivo-exclusive feature automatically applies referral rewards to subscribers' orders—eliminating the friction of copying discount codes.
Step 1: Generate Skio API Key (5 minutes)
- Log into Skio Dashboard
- Navigate to Account > API
- Enter a descriptive name
- Click "Generate API Key"
- Copy the key immediately (only viewable once)
Step 2: Enable Auto-Apply in Rivo (5 minutes)
- Open Rivo Dashboard
- Go to Integrations > Skio (Payments section)
- Click "Configure"
- Enable "Auto-apply advocate discounts" checkbox
- Paste your Skio API key
- Click "Save"
Step 3: Test Referral Flow (10 minutes)
- Complete a test referral
- Verify discount appears automatically on the advocate's next subscription order
Total Time: 20 minutes
Rewarding Subscribers: Designing Loyalty Earning Rules for Skio Customers
The integration unlocks subscriber-specific earning opportunities beyond standard purchase points.
High-Impact Earning Rules:
- Subscription sign-up bonus – Award points when customers convert from one-time to subscription
- Recurring purchase points – Standard points on every renewal order
- Milestone rewards – Bonus points at 3, 6, and 12-month subscription anniversaries
- VIP tier qualification – Count subscription tenure toward tier status
- Referral bonuses – Enhanced rewards when subscribers refer new customers
Skio's native Tiers & Rewards feature can complement your loyalty program with tenure-based perks. Brands often layer both: Skio handles subscription-specific benefits while the loyalty platform manages points, referrals, and cross-product engagement.
When configuring earning rules, consider:
- Points per dollar on subscriptions – Should this match one-time purchase rates or be higher/lower?
- Bonus multipliers – Consider 2x points during subscriber appreciation periods
- Custom actions via API – Reward specific behaviors like subscription upgrades or add-on purchases
Enhanced Engagement: Redemption Options Tailored for Skio Subscribers
Subscribers need redemption options that work with their purchase pattern—not against it.
Subscription-Friendly Redemption Options:
- Discount codes applicable to next subscription order
- Store credit that offsets subscription charges
- Free products added to upcoming shipments
- Free shipping on subscription deliveries
- Subscription-exclusive items available only to redeemers
Configure rewards in your loyalty platform with "Purchase Type" set to include subscription orders. This ensures customers can apply earned discounts at subscription checkout—not just on one-time purchases.
For referral programs, Rivo's auto-apply feature eliminates the most common friction point. Instead of subscribers copying a code, logging into Skio, finding the discount field, and pasting—the reward appears automatically on their next order.
Streamlining the Customer Journey: Unified Account Portals
Subscribers managing their account shouldn't need to visit three different pages to see their subscription status, loyalty points, and referral link.
The custom block integration displays loyalty data directly within Skio's portal interface:
- Points balance visible at a glance
- Available rewards ready to claim
- Referral link accessible for sharing
- VIP tier status showing progress to next level
- Recent activity including points earned and redeemed
For Shopify Plus stores, Multipass creates seamless authentication across platforms. Customers log in once and see consistent data everywhere—no session issues, no "loyalty not displaying" errors.
Non-Multipass stores require customers to log into their Shopify account first. Document this in your help center and consider adding a "View Loyalty" button that routes customers through the proper login flow.
Measuring Success: Key Metrics for Skio-Loyalty Integration Performance
Track these metrics to quantify your integration's impact:
Subscription Retention Metrics:
- Churn rate before/after integration
- Average subscription tenure
- Pause-to-cancel conversion rate
Loyalty Engagement Metrics:
- Participation rate among subscribers
- Points earned per subscriber
- Redemption rate on subscription orders
- Average points balance at subscription end
Revenue Metrics:
- Revenue attributed to loyalty redemptions
- Referral revenue from subscribers
- Customer lifetime value (loyalty members vs. non-members)
- Average order value lift from referred subscribers
Your loyalty platform's analytics dashboard provides most of these reports. For brands using Rivo, the dashboard includes comprehensive reporting on program performance, points liability, and redemption trends—segmentable by customer type.
Optimizing Your Strategy: Advanced Tips for Skio-Loyalty Programs
Leverage Email Automation: Connect your loyalty platform with Klaviyo to trigger subscription-specific loyalty emails:
- Points earned confirmation after each renewal
- Milestone achievement when hitting subscription anniversaries
- Referral reminders to engaged subscribers
- Tier upgrade notifications
Segment for Targeted Offers: Build subscriber segments based on loyalty status:
- High-point-balance subscribers approaching renewal
- VIP tier members who paused subscriptions
- Low-engagement subscribers needing re-activation
Prevent Double-Discounting: Subscription "subscribe and save" discounts stacked with loyalty redemptions can erode margins. Set clear rules:
- Maximum discount percentage caps
- Exclusions for already-discounted subscription products
- Store credit limits per order
Monitor Fraud Prevention: Referral programs attract abuse. Verify your loyalty platform includes:
- IP address monitoring
- Self-referral blocking
- Minimum cart requirements
- Order fulfillment verification before reward distribution
Transform Your Subscription Experience with Rivo
When you're building a subscription business that needs to scale, the loyalty integration you choose matters. Rivo delivers capabilities specifically designed for brands running Skio subscriptions.
The auto-apply referral discount feature eliminates the biggest friction point in subscriber referrals. When advocates refer friends, their rewards automatically apply to the next subscription order. No copying codes, no manual entry, no forgotten discounts. This streamlined experience drives higher redemption rates and keeps subscribers engaged with your program.
The Rivo Developer Toolkit provides REST API, JavaScript API, and webhooks for custom implementations. The custom block code for Skio integration is documented and maintained, ensuring compatibility as both platforms evolve. For brands that need flexibility beyond standard features, Rivo's developer resources enable sophisticated customizations without technical limitations.
Brands using Rivo see measurable results. HexClad generated $450K in referral revenue within 90 days, with referred customers showing 17% higher average order values. The combination of subscription management through Skio and engagement mechanics through Rivo creates a retention engine that compounds over time.
Rivo offers month-to-month billing without annual commitments. Check current pricing tiers to find the plan matching your order volume and feature requirements. For Shopify Plus brands running Skio subscriptions, Rivo provides the most complete integration—combining loyalty, referrals, and developer flexibility in a single platform built for retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can customers use loyalty points to pay for subscriptions?
Yes. When you configure rewards with "Purchase Type" set to include subscription orders, customers can redeem points as discount codes or store credit applicable to subscription purchases. The discount applies at checkout and reduces the subscription charge accordingly.
How does the integration handle subscription pauses or cancellations?
Skio sends over 25 event metrics including pause and cancellation events. You can configure loyalty rules that respond to these triggers—for example, offering bonus points to win back paused subscribers or adjusting VIP tier status based on active subscription tenure.
What data flows between Skio and the loyalty platform?
For basic integration, only order data flows between platforms—Skio processes the subscription order, Shopify records it, and your loyalty platform awards points based on order value. For advanced features like auto-apply discounts, the Skio API key enables your loyalty platform to apply rewards directly to subscription orders.
Can I offer exclusive subscription tiers for high-tier loyalty members?
Yes. You can configure VIP tier perks that include subscription-exclusive benefits—early access to new subscription products, enhanced subscriber discounts, or exclusive add-ons only available to top-tier members. This creates a flywheel where subscription engagement drives loyalty status, and loyalty status unlocks better subscription benefits.
How do I track ROI of my integrated program?
Monitor revenue attributed to loyalty redemptions on subscription orders, referral revenue from subscribers, and churn rate changes pre/post integration. Most loyalty platforms provide analytics dashboards with these reports. Rivo's dashboard includes comprehensive reporting segmentable by customer type, allowing you to isolate subscriber-specific metrics from one-time purchaser data.
