> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What's the difference between a pass and a punch card?

> A pass gives holders a lower price, while a punch card is a separate prepaid pack of punches families spend to pay for registrations and drop-ins.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * **Separate products.** A punch card isn't a type of pass: families spend punches to pay for registrations and drop-ins, while a pass gives holders a lower price.
  * **Off by default.** Punch Cards is a plan feature. When it's on, you manage cards under **Financials > Punch Cards**.
  * **Class packs.** A credit pass never spends a credit on a single session. For class packs that cover drop-ins, use punch cards.
</Note>

**Two different jobs.** A pass lowers the price for holders. A punch card changes no price: it pays the charge. To compare a pass with a membership, see [What is a pass and which athletes does it cover?](/club/passes/what-is-a-pass)

**Setting up and selling cards.** Card types, prices, punches, expiry, billing, online sales and granting a card are all covered in [How do I create and sell punch cards?](/club/punch-cards/create-and-sell-punch-cards).

**Paying with punches.** A program's pricing can accept **Pay with a punch card**, at 1 punch per registration or drop-in unless you change it. At checkout, families pick a card or **Pay cash instead**. A punch-paid line bills \$0. Punches are a way to pay, not a price, so they never compete with pass prices, and a registration or recurring cycle paid with punches doesn't also spend a pass credit. Cancelling a punch-paid enrollment gives the punches back (**Return \[N] punches to \[card]** is ticked by default).

**Credit passes and drop-ins.** A credit pass with credits left gets its drop-in price on every session without spending a credit, so it can't cap drop-ins. Credits are spent only on full program registrations.

**Who owns it.** Like a pass, a punch card belongs to a Family. Families see their cards and punch history on the **Punch Cards** page in the family portal.

**Side by side.**

| | Pass | Punch card |
| - | - | - |
| What it is | A lower price, or a holders-only rule | A prepaid pack of punches |
| At checkout | Charges the pass price when it's lowest | Pays the whole charge; bills \$0 |
| Drop-ins | Can lower the price; spends no credit | Spends the set punches per session |
| Where you manage it | **Settings > Registration > Passes** | **Financials > Punch Cards** |
| Plan feature | **Passes** | **Punch Cards** |

**Related:** [What's the difference between unlimited and credit passes?](/club/passes/unlimited-vs-credit-passes) · [How do I create and sell punch cards?](/club/punch-cards/create-and-sell-punch-cards) · [How do I buy and use a punch card?](/families/families-memberships-passes/use-a-punch-card) · [How do I manage the punch cards families hold?](/club/punch-cards/manage-issued-punch-cards)