How Do E-Gift Cards Work?

Return to Glossary

E-gift cards work in a similar way to traditional physical gift cards but without an actual card. The giver buys the card online and loads it with money. The recipient then receives the e-gift card via email. The recipient claims and activates the card. They can then shop online and pay using the funds on the e-gift card.

What Are E-Gift Cards?

An e-gift card is a great way to thank customers, reward employees, boost survey response rates, or encourage participation in marketing programs. It is an electronic version of a standard gift card that comes preloaded with a set amount of money. The recipient can use the money on the virtual card to shop in the card provider’s store. They can buy the products of their choice and pay with the funds on the e-gift card. An e-gift card may be for a single store or retailer or for a group of stores. There are also Visa and Mastercard e-gift cards, which recipients can use at any store that accepts those payment formats. 

How Do You Send E-Gift Cards?

You send an e-gift card by buying it online and entering the recipient’s details. The recipient receives an email telling them they have been sent an e-gift card, which they then claim and activate. Delivery is virtually instantaneous, and the recipient can usually use the funds within minutes. 

You simply follow these steps to send e-gift cards:

  1. Choose which e-gift card you wish to send to the recipient. 
  2. Decide how much money you want to load onto the card.
  3. Enter the recipient’s details, including their name and email address.
  4. Pay for your e-gift card.
  5. The recipient receives an email that tells them they have been sent an e-gift card.
  6. The recipient follows the instructions in the email to claim and activate the card.
  7. The recipient gets an email with their e-gift card code.
  8. The recipient can browse the gift card provider’s website and choose what they would like to buy.
  9. The recipient can pay for the item using the code they received. 

Where Can a Recipient Spend Their E-Gift Card?

There are multiple locations where a recipient can spend an e-gift card. You can use some e-gift cards at only one specific retailer, such as Amazon. Other e-gift cards can be used at several different places, such as a group of restaurants all owned by the same company. More generic e-gift cards such as Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards can be used at any retailer that accepts those payment methods. 

How Do You Pay for an Item Online With E-Gift Cards?

When a recipient gets an e-gift card, they can pay for items online using the money on the card. All they need to do is choose an item they want to buy and put it into their shopping cart. At checkout, they enter the gift card number in the appropriate field on the payment screen. The company will subtract the payment from the e-gift card and send the recipient their item.

Can an E-Gift Card Be Used to Buy Items in Stores?

You can use some e-gift cards only for online purchases, while others are redeemable both online and in physical stores. You need to check the terms and conditions on the card. Some e-gift cards are for stores that only have online sales, and others are for stores with both brick-and-mortar and virtual outlets. If you receive a virtual Mastercard or Visa prepaid card, you can usually use these to buy items in physical stores. You need to add the e-gift card code to an online wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can then purchase items using the e-gift card in physical stores that accept those online wallets.

Where Can I Buy E-Gift Cards?

You can buy e-gift cards online from reputable providers like BHN Rewards, formerly Rybbon. All you need to do is visit the website and choose the e-gift card you want to buy. You can enter the information and make a payment. You can then send the e-gift card to the recipient.

BHN Rewards is a provider of e-gift cards for businesses. It makes it easier for companies to show appreciation to employees and clients by rewarding them with gift cards. BHN Rewards has a wide choice of popular e-gift cards for business owners to choose from. You can choose to load the cards with a range of values and with several popular currencies. This makes an e-gift card from BHN Rewards a perfect choice to reward people all over the world.

Related Topics:

How to Set the Right Digital Reward Value for Survey and Marketing Programs

What Is the Best Survey Reward? Let Your Respondents Decide

7 Reasons Marketers Should Choose E-Gifts for the Holidays and Beyond