We all have that one person in our life who seems to have everything. Whether it’s a close friend, family member, or significant other, it’s tricky to find a meaningful gift for them.
This is where gift cards come in handy. They offer an easy, convenient way to show your appreciation without having to know exactly what the person wants or needs. Whether you’re looking for something special for your loved one or just want to show your appreciation to a colleague or client, there’s a gift card out there that will fit the bill.
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of gift cards and provide you with a comprehensive list of different types of gift cards and their uses so you can find the perfect one for any occasion.
What Are Gift Cards?
Gift cards are prepaid cards that can be used to purchase goods or services from a particular store, restaurant, website, or other business. These cards are often sold in denominations, meaning they can be used to purchase almost anything. Gift cards are available both online and in local stores, with some retailers even offering customizable cards that can be personalized with a photo or message.
Types of Gift Cards Available
When it comes to identifying the right type of gift card, you have two options: open loop and closed loop. Let’s look at both types in more detail to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Open Loop Gift Cards
Open-loop gift cards are accepted at multiple retailers and can be used as a payment method anywhere credit/ debit cards are accepted. These cards do not have a retailer’s logo on them and can be used for any purchase from any of the participating retailers. Some popular open-loop gift cards include Visa and American Express.
Closed Loop Gift Cards
Closed-loop gift cards, on the other hand, are issued by a specific retailer. These cards display the retailer’s logo and can only be used at that specific store, not at other retailers or locations outside of their network. They come with an expiration date and may have additional fees attached to them, such as activation fees or service charges for re-loading money onto the card after it has been depleted. Popular examples of closed-loop gift cards include Walmart, Sephora, Target and Amazon.
The Different Forms of Gift Cards
Gift cards come in three main forms: physical, virtual, and scanned. Let’s take a look at each one and how you can use them.
Physical Gift Cards
Physical gift cards are the most common form of gift cards, the kind you buy from supermarkets or online stores. They usually contain a code printed on a piece of plastic or paper, which you can use to redeem your purchase. These cards are great for those who want to give gifts to people with no digital footprint.
Virtual Cards
Virtual cards, also known as digital gift certificates, are a bit different from physical gift cards because they do not require any physical medium to hold the value of the card, like paper cards. Instead, they are stored digitally, often in an email or text message sent directly to the recipient. Virtual cards can be spent just like regular physical cards and are ideal for those who prefer to shop online.
Scanned Gift Card
Scanned gift cards are a type of physical card that is not linked to an individual’s credit card or bank account but rather to a set amount of money stored on the card itself. These types of gift cards can be purchased through providers like Amazon or Walmart and then scanned in order to redeem their value in-store when making purchases.
Benefits of Gift Cards
Gift cards are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are three of the most common benefits of gift cards:
New Customers
Gift cards are also a great tool for businesses to attract new customers. Many businesses offer promotional gift cards to entice customers to try out their services. For example, many restaurants offer special discounts when you purchase a gift card, or online businesses offer free returns when you pay with a gift card. This is a great way for businesses to incentivize customers to try out their products or services.
It’s also important to remember that gift cards are a great way to show appreciation to existing customers too. Many businesses will offer loyalty rewards if customers pay with gift cards, or they might even offer special discounts or early access to new products. These types of incentives can be a great way to reward loyalty and keep customers coming back.
Increase Brand Awareness
Gift cards are an effective way for businesses to increase their visibility and gain more customers. By offering gift cards, businesses can leverage their brand recognition and spread the word about their products or services. Additionally, businesses can offer promotions with gift cards, such as discounts or free shipping, which can help to attract new customers and keep existing ones engaged.
Reduce Fraud
Gift cards also help to reduce fraud and protect businesses from loss. By using gift cards, businesses can track and monitor purchases, which can help to prevent unauthorized purchases. Additionally, businesses can put restrictions on gift cards so that they can only be used in certain locations or only for specific services. This helps to reduce the risk of fraud and ensures that the business is only being paid for services that are actually being provided. Furthermore, businesses can deactivate gift cards or limit the amount of money that can be spent on them, which can also help to minimize fraudulent purchases.
List of 10 Most Popular Gift Cards and Their Uses
In our list of the 10 most popular gift cards, we have compiled a variety of gift cards from companies of all sizes and from industries such as retail, grocery, beauty, and more. Each of these gift cards has its own unique benefits and uses, which can help businesses to make the most of their gift card programs.
Gift cards are becoming more and more popular as presents because they offer flexibility to make purchases.
Below is a comprehensive list of 10 gift cards and their uses:
American Express Gift card
An American Express card, commonly referred to as an “Amex” card, is an electronic payment card issued by the publicly traded financial services corporation American Express (AXP). The company issues Prepaid, charge, and credit cards. This Card is available to Individuals, small and corporate businesses. Customers can get American Express cards anywhere in the world, including the United States.
American Express Gift Cards are designed to be versatile. You can use them for all types of purchases, including online, over the phone and in-person purchases at any store or restaurant that accepts American Express cards.
Visa Gift card
A Visa gift card is a prepaid open-loop card that can be used to make purchases from businesses that accept Visa debit cards. Because Visa debit cards are widely recognized around the world, Visa gift cards are as well. They arrive with various prepaid sums, such as a $100 Visa gift card. Your credit card’s balance serves as its upper limit.
You can use the Visa Gift card to make purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. It’s important to remember that you won’t be able to use this card to get cash from an ATM or use it for cash back.
Amazon Gift Card
Amazon Gift Card is a prepaid gift card that Amazon accepts as payment for orders. Customers can use their Amazon Gift Card to pay for Amazon orders in several countries.
Either a physical card or an online code may be used. If you have a physical one, all you have to do is scratch the surface to reveal the code. There will be 14 to 15 characters total, both letters and digits, in each Amazon Gift Card code.
With an Amazon Gift Card, you have access to endless online shopping options; the company carries a wide range of items from toys, apparel, home goods, electronic devices and much more. It’s hard not to find something great!
iTunes Gift Card
An iTunes Gift Card is a pre-paid credit in the form of a card for the purchase of Apple’s digital services. An iTunes Gift Card can be used for many things like buying songs, movies, and TV shows from the iTunes Store, accessing Apple Music, and buying iCloud.
Itunes Gift Cards can only be used to purchase Apple’s virtual products and services. You cannot use it to buy physical hardware or accessories. It is normally issued in two formats, the physical form and the E-codes format, ranging from $5 to $200. It’s definitely a great option for anyone looking for a versatile gift card.
Apple Gift Card
Apple Cards are acquired credit that can be used to purchase a variety of goods and services from the Apple Store. You can use an Apple gift card to purchase iPhones, MacBooks, and other Apple products from any Apple retail store. Apple Cards are issued as either physical cards or as E-codes, and the denominations range from $5 to up to $200.
Steam Gift card
When it comes to gaming, you can’t go wrong with a Steam gift card. They’re easy to use, and they’re versatile in terms of what they can buy.
A Steam Card is a gift card that can be used to buy games and software on the Steam website. An activation code will be provided to the cardholder, who can then use it to finance their Steam account. On the Steam website, the funds can subsequently be used to buy games or other products.
eBay Gift card
If you’re looking for convenience and flexibility when shopping, then an eBay Gift Card might be right up your alley. With this card, you can do more than just shop on eBay; you can also access their free shipping and other services.
You can buy just about anything on eBay with this gift card, from wears to toys to electronics and everything in between. It’s up to you how you want to use your gift card balance. Just make sure the item or items purchased are within the value of the gift card.
Sephora Gift card
A Sephora Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used to purchase any product in all Sephora stores. Sephora is a company that deals mainly in beauty and skincare products.
A Sephora gift card is a great gift for the beauty lover in your life. With it, they can choose from a wide variety of makeup, skincare, and hair care products to find exactly what they need to look and feel their best.
You can buy Sephora gift cards online or in stores, and the recipient can redeem them for products at any Sephora location or online. You can also check the balance of your Sephora gift card online, so you know how much you have left to spend.
Sephora Gift Cards make a wonderful present for that special person in your life who loves everything beauty-related!
Google Play Gift card
A Google Play Gift Card is a prepaid card with a specific cash value that may be used to buy digital content on smartphones, particularly Android smartphones. With the help of these gift cards, users may access the Google Play store and buy any type of digital material they like, including music, movies, apps, magazines, and books.
Walmart Gift Card
A Walmart Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used to purchase any items from Walmart stores. Available in denominations ranging from $5-$1000, these cards can be used to buy groceries, clothing, electronics, and even furniture. The cards are accepted at any Walmart store in the US and online at Walmart.com.
Walmart Gift Cards can also be used to purchase items from other retailers that accept the Walmart App or through Walmart’s mobile app, which links your Walmart Gift Card to a digital wallet. Walmart also offers reloadable prepaid cards, which can be used to easily add money to your card without needing to reload with a physical gift card.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might also have a few questions about gift cards and their uses, so let’s look at some of the most common ones:
Can you use a gift card more than once?
Yes, you can usually use a gift card more than once. However, some cards may limit the number of times that it can be used, for instance, if the card is part of an incentive program or has other specific conditions attached.
Can you reload a gift card?
Yes, some gift cards are reloadable, meaning that they can be topped up with funds when they start to run low. This makes them ideal for people who like to keep using the same card over long periods of time.
Are there any fees associated with using a gift card?
Yes, some issuers may include fees for using their cards. These can include initial purchase fees and monthly maintenance charges. You should always check with the issuer before buying a gift card to see if there are any fees associated with its use.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, gift cards are a great way to show someone you care. Whether you’re looking for a gift for family or friends or trying to find the perfect reward for an employee, the variety of cards available makes it easy to find something that fits their needs.
Plus, with the flexible options offered by most retailers, it’s easy to customize your card and make it special. From digital to physical cards and from cash-back deals to exclusive discounts, there’s sure to be something to suit any budget.