Save Money & Delight Guests: How to Apply Promo Codes on POS 🎟️✨

Promotional codes are a fantastic way to reward your loyal customers, boost check sizes, and apply venue discounts in a flash! Whether your guest hands you a printed voucher, shows a QR code on their phone, or gives you a quick phrase like SUMMER25, applying promo codes on the NX Restaurant POS is fast and effortless.

This guide walks you through applying promo codes by typing or scanning, managing guest-specific offers, and troubleshooting common error messages right on the register! 🚀

Before You Begin 📋

Keep these quick requirements in mind before applying a code to an order:

🌐 Internet Connection Required: The POS checks promo codes live against the NX system. The register must be online to validate a code (if offline, the POS will display "Promo codes need a connection").
🛒 Active Order: You must have an open check with at least one item added.
🔓 No Manager Override Needed: Valid promo codes apply automatically without requiring manager approvals or reason prompts!

Step-by-Step: Applying Promo Codes at the Register ⚙️

Method 1: Applying a Code by Typing ⌨️

Open the Order: Open ticket & add items.
Open your active order and ring in the guest's menu items.
Tap Promo Code: Locate promo button.
Tap the Promo Code button in your order action commands (located alongside the standard Discount button).
Type & Confirm: Enter code text.
Type the promo code into the pop-up box and confirm. (Note: Codes are case-insensitive, so capital or lowercase letters both work!)
Check Your Savings: Review updated check.
The discount line item appears on the check, the total balance drops automatically, and a confirmation banner pops up (e.g., "Promo code applied: $5.00 off")!

Method 2: Applying a Code by Scanning 📷

If a guest presents a physical coupon or mobile screen with a barcode or QR code:

Open the guest's active check on your POS terminal.
Scan the barcode or QR code using your connected handheld or desktop barcode scanner.
The system reads the code instantly (including codes starting with NXPC:) and applies the discount to the currently selected seat!

Codes Tied to Specific Guests 👤

Some promotions—like birthday rewards or new-member welcomes—are restricted to specific customers or carry per-guest limits (e.g., "one use per customer").

Pro-Tip: Always attach the guest to the check first (look up their loyalty profile or sign them in) before typing or scanning the promo code!
If you try to enter a restricted code before identifying the customer, the POS will remind you: "Sign in to use this promo code."

Earning Loyalty Points via Promo Codes 🪙

Not all promo codes take dollars off a bill—some reward guests with bonus loyalty points!

These work the exact same way: attach the customer to the check, enter or scan the promo code, and the POS will display a confirmation message such as "500 points added" to their profile!

How Guest Self-Service Promo Codes Work 📱

If your venue uses guest-facing payment terminals, handhelds, or self-service kiosks, guests don't even need cashier assistance to redeem rewards!

Guest Displays & Handhelds: Guests can tap Have a code? on the payment review screen or select issued vouchers under Your Rewards ➔ Your codes.
Kiosks: Guests enter their promo codes directly at the kiosk checkout screen.
Real-Time Sync: Check balances update simultaneously on both the guest screen and the cashier terminal!

How to Remove a Promo Code ✕

Need to remove a promo code before closing out?

Select the check seat.
Tap Discount Remove (the same command used for standard item or check discounts).
The discount line is removed, the check recalculates, and the promo code becomes available for the guest to use again in the future!

⚠️ Important Note:

Promo codes cannot be removed or modified once a check seat has been paid.

Troubleshooting Error Messages 🔍

If a promo code is rejected, NX POS clearly explains why. Here is a quick reference guide to common error messages:

Error Message 💡	What It Means 🔍	What to Do 🛠️
That promo code was not found.	Code text was mistyped or scanned incorrectly.	Re-type carefully or rescan the code graphic.
That promo code has expired. / is not valid yet.	Attempted outside allowed date/time windows.	Verify promotional campaign dates in Portal.
That promo code has reached its usage limit.	The venue's total maximum uses for this offer have been reached.	The campaign cap is exhausted.
This guest has already used that promo code the maximum number of times.	The guest hit their individual usage limit.	Advise the guest that the offer was previously claimed.
Sign in to use this promo code.	Code requires a customer account.	Attach the guest profile to the check and retry.
That promo code was not issued to this guest.	Unique voucher assigned to a different customer.	Verify customer account or issue a personal voucher.
That promo code cannot be used here.	Code restricted to specific ordering channels, devices, or locations.	Check channel permissions in Portal.
That promo code does not apply to the items on this order.	Cart lacks qualifying menu items or falls below minimum spend rules.	Add eligible menu items to meet promo rules.
That promo code is already applied.	Code is already active on this check.	No action needed!
The order changed while applying. Please try again.	Simultaneous order update from another device.	Simply re-enter or rescan the code!

Additional Rule Reminders 💡

One Discount Per Item: If a menu item already carries another discount, a promo code cannot apply a second discount to that same item.
One Code Per Order: Only one promo code can be applied per check unless the promo code is explicitly configured in Portal to allow stacking.
Full Refunds/Voids: If an order is fully voided or refunded, the redeemed promo code is automatically released back to the guest for future use!

Need Additional Support? 💬

If a valid promo code continues to fail, note down the code text, customer name, time of attempt, and the exact error message shown, then reach out directly to NX Restaurant Support! Our team will help verify your venue's Portal rules in a flash 🌟.