Yes, you can absolutely send a gift certificate online these days. With the rise of e-commerce and digital payments, sending gift certificates electronically has become very common. There are many benefits to sending gift certificates online compared to traditional paper gift certificates.
The Benefits of Digital Gift Certificates
Here are some of the key advantages of sending gift certificates online:
- Convenience – Digital gift certificates can be sent instantly via email or text. No need to mail a physical card or voucher.
- Customization – Online gift certificates can often be customized with the recipient’s name, message, etc.
- Tracking – Purchases and redemptions of digital gift certificates can be easily tracked.
- No expiration – Online gift certificates don’t have to expire and can remain valid indefinitely.
- Universal redemption – Digital gift cards/certificates allow the recipient to redeem at their convenience on a website or mobile app.
- Environmentally friendly – No paper or plastic waste from physical gift cards.
The convenience and flexibility of digital gift certificates make them the perfect hassle-free gift idea for the modern era. You can send them instantly to recipients regardless of distance on any occasion – birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. It’s no wonder e-gift certificates have become so popular as gifts.
Types of Online Gift Certificates
There are a few main types of gift certificates that can be purchased and sent online:
- Retailer/brand specific – These are gift certificates directly from a particular retailer or restaurant that can only be used at that merchant. For example, a Starbucks or Amazon gift card.
- Open loop – These are gift cards/certificates from card issuers like Visa or Mastercard that can be redeemed anywhere the brand is accepted. Provides more flexibility.
- Marketplace – Gift certificates from e-commerce marketplaces like Etsy or Airbnb that have broad redemption.
- Cash – Some apps and websites let you send virtual Visa or Mastercard cash that can be spent anywhere.
When sending a gift certificate online, consider whether you want it to be for a specific retailer or more flexible for the recipient to redeem. Open loop and marketplace gift certificates provide more options.
Where to Get Online Gift Certificates
Here are some places where digital gift certificates can be purchased:
- Directly from brand/retailer websites – Most major companies sell e-gift cards for their business.
- Grocery/convenience stores – Gift card racks at grocery stores now have digital redemption options.
- Dedicated gift card websites – Allow gift cards from many different retailers to be purchased in one place.
- Online marketplaces – Sites like Amazon and Etsy sell digital gift cards.
- Rewards programs – Credit card reward points can be redeemed for gift certificates.
- Mobile apps – Some apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay etc. allow gifting of cash.
Do some research to find the best deals and widest selection of digital gift certificates for a one-stop shop experience. Compare prices across outlets.
How to Send a Gift Certificate Online
Sending a digital gift certificate is very straightforward:
- Purchase the gift certificate from a retailer, app or website.
- Select the digital delivery option during checkout.
- Enter the recipient’s email address and optional gift message.
- Pay for the gift certificate electronically.
- The retailer will email the gift certificate code and redemption instructions to the recipient.
- Let the recipient know to check their email for the gift!
The recipient simply follows the redemption instructions to apply the gift certificate value to their account or make a purchase. It’s that easy!
Tips for Sending Gift Certificates Online
Here are some tips to get the most out of sending digital gift certificates:
- Add a personal message – Make it feel more special by customizing the gift message.
- Consider the expiration – Check if the gift card ever expires to maximize value.
- Confirm sender details – Make sure recipient knows who sent the gift.
- Send early – Email delivery means gift certificates can be sent any time.
- Track redemption – Take advantage of tracking features to see when it gets used.
- Go paperless – Avoid waste by only opting for the digital delivery method.
- Shop end of year sales – Retailers often discount gift cards near the holidays.
Following these tips will lead to a seamless gift giving experience both for the giver and recipient!
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about sending gift certificates online:
Is it safe to email a gift certificate?
Yes, it is generally safe to send gift certificates via email or text these days. Retailers use secure digital delivery and encryption to protect the gift card information in transit and provide the gift code directly to the recipient’s email inbox. As long as the recipient has access to the email account there should be no issues with security or fraud.
Can you customize an online gift certificate?
Most digital gift certificates allow you to customize the gift in some way during checkout. Typical customizations include adding a recipient name, custom gift message, specific delivery date, and gift wrapping options (for physical gift card orders). The level of personalization may vary by retailer, but some form of customization is usually available.
What if the recipient already has an account with the retailer?
If the gift certificate recipient already has an existing account or membership with that retailer, they can simply sign in and apply the gift card funds to their account balance. The funds get automatically added to their account as soon as the gift certificate code is redeemed. Easy!
How do I track online gift certificate redemptions?
Most retailers allow you to track the status of digital gift certificates you purchase. After checkout, you will receive a confirmation email that includes gift tracking details. You can sign in to view whether the gift has been delivered, received, and redeemed. Some retailers even allow you to view what specific items were purchased with the gift card funds. This allows the gift giver to track usage.
Can I get a refund on unused gift certificate funds?
Refund policies vary by retailer when it comes to unused gift certificate funds. Some may allow refunds of unused balances while others will not permit refunds on gift cards. Be sure to check the retailer’s specific policy before purchasing a gift certificate. Open loop and cash gift cards tend to have more flexible refund policies than retailer-specific certificates.
Conclusion
Sending gift certificates online is the perfect modern solution for easy and instant gifting. Digital delivery options allow gift givers to send e-gift cards and vouchers instantly via email or mobile app no matter where they and the recipient are located. Retailers across all categories now offer electronic gift certificates that can be customized and redeemed seamlessly. Plus, digital gift cards are better for the environment given the lack of plastic waste. Ultimately online gift certificates provide unparalleled convenience, flexibility and tracking compared to traditional paper gift certificates. The digital gifting trend will surely keep accelerating as consumer adoption increases even further.