AQUA S.T.A.R. Swim Lessons Ltd. Referral Program Policy

Effective Date: June 19, 2025

1. Introduction & Purpose

• Objective:
  Provide clear guidelines for the Aquastar Referral Program, which rewards existing clients who refer new families to our swim lessons. This policy informs participants of the program mechanics, eligibility, reward structure, redemption process, and measures to prevent abuse.

• Scope:
  Applies to all Aquastar Swim Lessons clients (referrers) and referred individuals (referees) participating in the referral program.

• Protection & Fairness:
  Ensures genuine referrals are rewarded, guards against fraudulent or abusive behaviour, and maintains program integrity. 

2. Definitions

• Referrer:
  An existing Aquastar client with an active account who shares a unique referral code or method with a prospective new client.

• Referee (Referred Friend):
  A new client who signs up for Aquastar services using a valid referral code/method provided by a Referrer.

• Referral Credit:
  A $25 credit is applied to the Referrer’s account when a Referee registers through the Referrer’s code/method.

• Qualified Purchase:
  A purchase of a swim package of at least 10 lessons by the Referee, which triggers an additional reward (free 30-minute lesson) for the Referrer.

• Free Lesson Reward:
  A complimentary 30-minute swim lesson is granted to the Referrer once per qualifying Referee purchase, up to a maximum of 4 free lessons per Referrer.

3. Eligibility

• Who Can Refer:

  • Any individual with an active Aquastar account who has completed at least one paid lesson or trial session.

  • Must be in good standing (no outstanding payments or unresolved disputes).

• Who Can Be Referred:

  • New clients who have never previously enrolled in Aquastar lessons under any account or email.

  • Must register using the Referrer’s valid referral code or approved method (see Section 4).

• Exclusions:

  • Self-referrals (Referrer and Referee accounts/emails must be distinct).

  • Referrals of existing or past clients.

  • Referrals via shared or fraudulent accounts (e.g., multiple accounts by the same individual).

• Verification:

  • Aquastar reserves the right to verify identity and ensure the Referee is genuinely new.

  • If a Referee’s identity cannot be validated as new or distinct, the referral will be disqualified.

4. Referral Mechanism & Tracking

• Unique Referral Codes or Methods:

  • Each Referrer receives a unique alphanumeric code or QR method through their Aquastar account/dashboard.

  • Code can be shared via email, text, social media, or printed referral cards.

• Sign-Up Process for Referees:

  • Referee enters the Referrer’s code during online registration or mentions it when booking via phone/in-person.

  • Referral must be logged in Aquastar’s system at the time of sign-up.

• Referral Tracking Software:

  • Aquastar employs tracking mechanisms (dashboard analytics, IP checks, email uniqueness) to monitor referral activity and detect anomalies.

  • Sudden spikes or suspicious patterns (e.g., many referrals from one Referrer in short time) will trigger review. 

5. Reward Structure

• Immediate Credit Reward ($25):

  • As soon as a Referee successfully registers using the Referrer’s valid code/method, the Referrer’s account is credited with $25.

  • No waiting for purchases; immediate recognition of the referral effort encourages engagement.

• Free 30-Minute Lesson Reward:

  • When the Referee completes a Qualified Purchase (minimum 10-lesson package), the Referrer receives one free 30-minute lesson.

  • Capped at 4 free lessons per Referrer in total.

• Referee Credit Reward ($25):

  • The Referee also receives $25 credit toward their first purchase upon successful sign-up with the referral code/method.

• Chained Referral Bonus:

  • If a Referee later refers another new client, both parties in that new referral receive $25 each, following the same rules.

• Unlimited Credit Accumulation:

  • Referrers may earn unlimited $25 credits for genuine referrals.

  • Only free lessons are capped at 4 qualifying instances to limit potential misuse. 

6. Credit Redemption

• Redemption Threshold:

  • Credits can be redeemed once a Referrer accumulates at least $50 total credit.

  • Credits apply toward lesson packages (mobile or shared pool) or applicable fees.

• Redemption Process:

  • Once the $50 credit is reached, the Referrer may apply credit during checkout in the client portal or instruct staff during booking.

  • Partial redemptions are allowed in multiples of $25 if above threshold; balance carries over until the next $50 threshold is met.

• Expiry & Validity:

  • Credits expire 12 months after issuance if not redeemed.

  • Free lesson rewards (30-minute) must be used within 6 months of issuance or they expire.

  • Expiry dates are communicated in advance via email/dashboard notifications. 

7. Anti-Abuse & Fraud Prevention

• New Client Verification:

  • Referee’s email and personal details checked against Aquastar’s existing client database.

  • Duplicate or suspicious accounts trigger manual review; invalid referrals are voided. 

• IP & Device Monitoring:

  • Track IP addresses and device fingerprints to detect multiple accounts from the same source.

  • Excessive referrals from the same IP/device flagged for review. 

• Referral Limits on Free Lesson Reward:

  • Maximum of 4 free 30-minute lessons per Referrer.

  • After reaching the cap, further qualified purchases by Referees earn only $25 credit, no additional free lessons.

• Monitoring Referral Velocity:

  • Unusually rapid referral rates (e.g., many sign-ups in a short timeframe) trigger automated alerts and a possible hold on reward issuance pending verification.

• Delayed Fulfillment of Free Lesson:

  • Free lesson reward is activated only after Referee’s payment clears and package is confirmed fulfilled (to avoid churn-and-burn schemes) 

• Restrictions on Broadcasting:

  • Public posting of referral codes on open forums or coupon sites is discouraged; Aquastar reserves the right to disqualify referrals obtained through broad, untargeted broadcasting if misuse is detected.

• Manual Review & Audits:

  • Aquastar reserves the right to audit referral activities, require additional proof (e.g., confirmation from Referee), and reverse credits or free lesson rewards if abuse is confirmed.

• Account Suspension:

  • Accounts found abusing the program (self-referrals, fake accounts, collusion) may be suspended from referral benefits and subject to disciplinary action, including account termination. 

8. Communication & Transparency

• Clear Terms & Accessibility:

  • This policy is published on the Aquastar website and is accessible via the client dashboard.

  • Participants must acknowledge their understanding of policy when registering for the referral program.

• Notification of Reward Status:

  • Automated emails or dashboard notifications inform Referrers when credits/free lessons are earned, nearing the redemption threshold, or approaching expiry.

• Queries & Disputes:

  • A dedicated support channel (email/phone) is available for questions about referrals, credits, or suspected errors.

  • Disputes are addressed promptly; Aquastar aims to resolve them within 5 business days.

9. Privacy & Data Protection

• Data Collected:

  • Referral-related data: Referrer’s ID, Referee’s contact details, IP/device info for verification.

• Consent & Usage:

  • By participating, both Referrer and Referee consent to Aquastar’s collection and processing of referral data for program administration.

  • Data used solely for tracking, fraud prevention, and analytics to improve the program. 

• Third-Party Tools:

  • If referral tracking software is used, Aquastar ensures compliance with applicable privacy regulations (e.g., PIPEDA for Canada).

• Data Retention:

  • Referral records are retained for at least 18 months to allow audit and dispute handling, after which data is anonymized or deleted per Aquastar’s retention policy.

10. Tax & Legal Considerations

• Tax Obligations:

  • Referral credits or equivalent value of free lessons may be considered taxable benefits in some jurisdictions.

  • Aquastar will provide summary statements of credits/rewards upon request for tax reporting. Participants should consult their tax advisors.

• Regulatory Compliance:

  • The program adheres to applicable local laws governing promotional incentives and marketing.

  • Aquastar may adjust terms to comply with changes in legislation.

11. Modification & Termination of Program

• Right to Modify:

  • Aquastar reserves the right to modify referral terms, reward amounts, caps, or eligibility criteria at any time.

  • Notice of material changes will be communicated at least 30 days in advance via email and website updates. 

• Program Suspension/Termination:

  • Aquastar may suspend or terminate the referral program or a participant’s eligibility at its discretion (e.g., in case of widespread abuse or business changes).

  • Accrued, unused credits may be honored or voided as per notice communicated at time of termination.

12. Dispute Resolution

• Raising Disputes:

  • Participants must submit disputes in writing (email) within 30 days of the relevant event (e.g., missing credit).

• Resolution Process:

  • Aquastar’s support team reviews evidence (referral logs, purchase records) and provides a resolution within 10 business days.

  • If unresolved, escalate to a designated program manager for final decision.

• Contact Information: For any questions, please contact customercare@aquastarcanada.com