Serial coupons can be issued with a unique serial number and thus only be used once, if the Issue Validation is Apply to Entry or the Coupon ID Method is Serial No.
A specific coupon can have a defined period of validity calculated from the date of issuing, for example not valid until the day after issuing and for one week.
This is normally done in order to encourage the customer to come back to the store. Serial coupons also have the advantage of enabling traceability, which gives businesses many options in marketing initiatives.
Serial coupons can be awarded directly to customers where their usage is then tracked. Coupons can be used as a discount, a payment, or to trigger a more complex offer.