To give VIPs free shipping, tag them VIP in Shopify, then create an automatic shipping discount with the condition Customer tag Contains VIP. Signed-in VIPs get free shipping on every order without typing a code. Shopify’s own free shipping discount can be limited to customer segments, but it has no customer tag condition and always makes every eligible rate free. RM: Advanced Free Shipping reads the tag at checkout and lets you choose the rates, for example free Standard for VIPs while Express stays paid. The app is $9.90 USD every 30 days, with a 7-day free trial, billed by Shopify.

What the customer gets

In this example the store has two rates: Standard $8.90 and Express $24.90.

  • Qualifies. A VIP signed in to their account checks out a $40 cart. Standard and Express both show as free. The customer pays $40.
  • Doesn’t qualify. The same VIP checks out as a guest. A guest has no tags, so the customer pays $40 + $8.90 = $48.90 with Standard.
  • Doesn’t qualify. A signed-in customer without the tag pays the same $48.90.

Example checkout for a signed-in VIP customer with a $40 cart: Standard and Express both show FREE, labeled VIP free shipping. Total USD $40.00

Set it up

  1. In Shopify admin, open each VIP customer and add the tag VIP. See Shopify’s guide to using tags. Loyalty apps that tag customers in Shopify work too.
  2. In the app, click Create Shipping Discount.
  3. Under Discount method, choose Automatic discount. New discounts start on Discount code, and the method can’t be changed later. Enter a Title such as “VIP free shipping”. Customers see it at checkout.
  4. In Conditions, click Add condition and choose Customer tag. Keep Contains, then type VIP and press Enter, or pick it from the suggestions.
  5. In Discount setup, set Delivery type to Shipping, Which rates to All shipping rates and Discount value to Free.
  6. Click Create discount.

A Customer tag condition set to Contains, with the tag VIP added

Variations

  • VIPs get free Standard, Express stays paid: set Which rates to Choose specific rates and select Standard. A VIP who picks Express pays $40 + $24.90 = $64.90.
  • VIPs always, everyone else over $100: keep the VIP condition in Rule group 1. Open the ⋯ menu on the Conditions card, choose Add rule group, and add Cart total Is at least 100. A non-VIP with a $120 cart ships free, and so does a VIP with a $40 cart.
  • Several loyalty tiers: add every tag to the same condition, for example VIP, Gold. Contains matches a customer with any of them.
  • A VIP code instead: choose Discount code in step 3 and enter a code such as VIPSHIP. Codes can have usage limits, such as Limit to one use per customer.
  • Half off shipping for VIPs: set Discount value to Percentage and enter 50. Express becomes $12.45.

Marketing illustration of a checkout with the code VIP SHIPPING applied: subtotal $699.95, and shipping $15.00 crossed out and shown as FREE

Good to know

  • To include VIPs who check out as guests, use a Shopify customer segment of your VIPs. Under Customers, choose Specific customer segments and pick it. Shopify matches segments by the email or phone number entered at checkout.
  • To combine tag rules, such as “VIP but not Blocked,” use a Shopify customer segment. Keep one Customer tag condition per discount.
  • To test it, sign in to a test customer account tagged VIP at checkout. In Test mode, also use ABC123 as the shipping first name.
  • To keep VIP free shipping when they use a sale code, tick Shipping discounts under Combinations on that code in Shopify admin.
  • “Is exactly” works the same as Contains for customer tags today, so either is fine.

Install RM: Advanced Free Shipping from the Shopify App Store.