How Gift Cards Work
Activation
- Consumers purchase gift cards with cash, check, credit, or debit cards for any amount. For convenience, the standard cards come with the ability to load values of $0.01 to $500.
Redemption
- Cardholders present gift cards for payment for goods or services
- Cardholder purchases additional value or "reloads" the card for any amount. Reloads can be used as a basis for incentive programs
Potential Merchant Benefits
Increased revenue
- Gift cards help bring in new customers
- Gift cards can increase frequency of visits from existing customers
- The amount of dollars spent generally increase with a gift card
- Gift cards are an effective tool to manage in-store credit
Brand-building potential
- Cards are billboards in the consumer's wallet that advertise the retail location
Administrative benefits
- Gift cards are easy to use, so employee training is very simple
- Gift cards offer an easy and convenient new payment method for customers
- Gift card programs offer reporting not available through traditional paper-based gift certificate programs
Customer Benefits
Ease of use
- Gift cards are easy to purchase and to use
Make a great gift
- Gift-givers can give a thoughtful gift without having to select a particular product
Convenient payment method
- Cardholders shop without dipping into cash on hand, stopping for cash, or utilizing interest-bearing credit cards
- Gift cards reduce the need to carry cash, gift certificates, or credit slips
Card Production Options
Standard cards
- Eight standard card designs are available
- Merchant's store/company name will be printed on the card in the Pantone® font color of their choice (5 colors available)
- Minimum order of 500 cards
- Card production times:
- 14 business days for non-peak (February through September)
- 3-6 weeks for peak (October through January)
Custom cards
- Merchant must provide artwork in supported electronic format
- Minimum order is 1,000 cards
- Design may have up to four colors over a white card plastic
- Graphic design services available for merchants that require assistance designing cards
- Card production times:
- 14 business days for non-peak (February through September)
- 3-6 weeks for peak (October through January)
Getting started is easy.
Telephone a merchant services solutions representative at (866) 571-0313, fill out this form for more information or chat with an
