One of the best ways that a company can make money is by issuing gift cards and there are a slew of gift card innovations that have been created to entice more of these sales. Yet these innovations will appeal as much to the customer as it will the company.
Companies love gift cards because many of them are never used. Yet one of these gift card innovations, which involves trading them in for something else, can help ensure that the recipient does eventually cash in their gift. Another customer-centered tweak involves a tracking site to ensure cards don't go missing.
These gift card innovations benefit companies by making them more unique and irresistible. For instance, origami certificates are more artistic and QR code gift cards more tech-savvy.
31 Gift Card Innovations
From Discount Gift Card Sites to Technology Trade-In Programs:
Meghan Young — May 12, 2014 — Pop Culture
29
Silver Coffee Cards
This Opulent $200 Starbucks Gift Card is Made from Sterling Silver
28
Experiential Gift Services
Tinggly Lets Your Recipient Choose the Gift They Want to Get
27
QR Code Gift Cards
JC Penney Offers Recordable 'Santa Tags' for Your Presents
26
Personalized GIF Cards
With Gifpop! You Can Send Customized Cards with Real Life GIFs on Them
25
Customer Loyalty Coffee Cards
The Starbucks $450 Gift Card is for True Java Lovers
24
Trackable Gift Card Services
Kiind Lets You Track Gift Card Use to Become a Better Giver
23
Mobile Gifting Stores
Woohoo.in is India's First Integrated Mobile-Responsive Gifting Store
22
All-Powerful Money Devices
Coin by Kanishk Parashar is a Card-Like Gadget that Rules Them All
21
B2B Gift Card Services
DataCandy Helps Businesses Enter the World of Online Gift Cards
20
Social Media Gift Cards
'You Got a Gift' Sends eGift Cards by Email, SMS and Facebook
19
Simplified Credit Cards
This Device is Designed to Replace Multiple Credit Cards
18
Extravagant Steel Gift Cards
This Starbucks Gift Card is Made of Premium Stainless Steel
17
Social Media Coffee Gifts
The Starbucks Card eGift Program is for Any Occasion
16
Hilarious Cash Cards
The Bevmo! Gift Cards Will Have You Giggling at Your Present
15
All-in-One Credit Cards
The SWYP Picks Up the Tab On Every Debit, Loyalty and Gift Card Combined
14
Digitized Gift Card Apps
The Amazon Wallet App Lets You Digitally Store Loyalty and Gift Cards
13
Technology Trade-In Programs
The Walmart 'Gadgets to Gift Cards' Program Offers Competitive Trades
12
Gift Card Infographics
This Gift Cards Chart Explains Why They're the Most Coveted Present
11
Customizable Gifting Apps
Amazon Surprise! Allows You to Attach Gift Cards to eCards
10
Discount Dining Cards
The 40 Cards in Epicurious Toronto's Dining Deck Take Money Off of Meals
9
Filipino Personal Gifting Platforms
GC Regalo Allows Filipinos to Send Online Gift Certificates
8
Collectible Gift Cards
Starbucks' Gift Cards Act Like Souvenirs for Major North American Cities
7
Philanthropic Gift Cards
These Gift Cards are an Innovative Way to Give to the Homeless
6
Multiple Storage Debit Cards
The Coin Card Stores All Your Cards in One Place
5
Model Airplane Shopping Cards
The Target Bullseye Flyer Gift Card is Perfect for Kids
4
Gamified Payment Apps
This App Changes the Concept of Collections by Educating Consumers
3
Interactive Donut Greetings
Krispy Kreme E-Cards are a Sweet and Sentimental Gift
2
Gift Organization Apps
Collect, Manage and Send Gift Cards With Easy-Using Gyft
1
Discount Gift Card Sites
CardNap Lets Users Re-Sell Old Gift Cards and Buy New Ones for a Steal
Related Ideas
Grocer Trading Card Campaigns
Loblaw and Marvel Partnered to Give Shoppers Free Trading Cards
Sneaker-Inspired Card Holders
Nike Presents the Air Max 1 Card Holder in a Royal Blue Tone
Digital Debit Card Campaigns
Interac Introduces 'The Lost Wallet Board' Installation in Toronto
Receipt-Inspired Graphic T-Shirts
McDonald's Turns Paper Receipts into the Made to Order Tee
Groundbreaking Sticker Technology
StickerYou Recently Launched Its Image Transfer Sticker Product
Digital Creator Revenue Shifts
Newsletter Platform Beehiiv Lets Readers Set Their Own Price
Customized Valentine's Cards
Angel's Envy is Sharing Personalized Cards for Valentine's Day
Wellness-Centric Credit Cards
Wells Fargo &Mastercard Debut the Attune℠ World Elite Mastercard®
AI-Powered Valentine's Cards
Resn Unveils the Sheer Cupidity Card Maker for Personalized Messages
Humorous Payment Campaigns
Paypal's Latest Campaign Features Actor Will Ferrell
AI Holiday Card Generators
Coca-Cola's Create Real Magic Shares Greetings with Iconic Assets
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Eco-Conscious Coffee Programs
Costa Coffee's Club Loyalty Scheme Rewards Eco-Minded Customers
AI-Driven Customer Loyalty Systems
TurboPush Aims to Streamline Digital Loyalty Programs
Digital Rewards-Integrated Cards
TranzactCard Introduces the eZ-Power Card to its Fintech Platform
AI-Augmented Retail Checkouts
This Checkout Solution Helps Prevent Theft and Scanning Errors
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Streaming Service Gift Boxes
The Netflix Gift Box Shares Collectibles from Favorite Franchises
Computer-Vision Self-Service Kiosks
Toshiba's Vision Kiosk Identifies Items Without Barcodes
Magazine-Integrated QR Features
ARCADE Launches the ELLE x Clarks Shoe Visualiser and Experience
Incentivized Recycling Hoodies
The SIXR ‘For Tomorrow’ Hoodie Rewards Consumers for Recycling
Modern Gifting Services
Fresh Sends Reinvents Flower Delivery & Gift-Giving for a New Generation
Refreshed Retail Initiatives
Target is Improving its Customer Experience Journey in 2024
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
Discreet Card-Sized Trackers
The Nomad Tracking Card Fits Neatly into Wallets
Monetizable Mobile Gaming Apps
'Playbite' Enables Players to Win Gift Cards and Prizes
Clothing Buy-Back Programs
Eileen Fisher Revolutionizes Clothing Recycling with Renew Program
Rewarding Recycling Initiatives
Patagonia's Worn Wear Recycling Program Helps Eliminate Waste
AI Promo Code Platforms
SimplyCodes Combines AI and Crowdsourcing to Test Discount Codes
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Walmart Unveiled New Retail Technologies at CES 2024
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Phygital Business Cards
Linq x Moo Paper Cards Merge Quality Prints with Digital Technology
Loyalty-Focused Grocery Initiatives
Tony’s Fresh Market Boasts a New Website and Loyalty Program
Water Digital Wallet Loyalty Cards
Liquid Death Has Introduced the Liquid Death Country Club
AI-Powered Fintech Tools
Square Introduces Ten New Generative AI Features for Content Creation
Inventive Retail Strategies
H&M is Working to Localize Its Shopping Experience
Digital Wallet Loyalty Solutions
Loopy Loyalty Adds Loyalty Cards in Apple and Google Wallet
AI-Powered Digital Employees
Product Genius Transforms How Small Businesses Connect with Customers
Programmable QR Code Tags
Openscreen's Cloud Tags Help Users Digitize Their Lives
Social Shopping Apps
Locker Helps Users Organize, Share, and Earn from Online Wishlists.
In-Store Audience Engagement Solutions
Social Shelf® Has a Novel Approach to Customer Engagement
Circular Packaging Services
Returnity's 'In Rotation' AIms to Reduce Packaging Waste
CPG Rewards Campaigns
This Nestlé Promotion Rewards Shoppers with $20 Visa Rewards Cards
Multi-Use Non-Payment Wallets
Google Wallet India Unveils an Expansion for Non-Payment Services
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Gen Z-Specific Numberless Cards
Fibe and Axis Bank Team Up to Launch a Numberless Credit Card
Financial Accessibility-Enhancing Cards
iCapital Ventures Launches the Liorcard Titanium
Product Exploration Retailer Tools
These New Instacart Discovery Tools Connect Brands to Retailers
Instant Retail Savings Platforms
formi by Patron Points Offers Universal Savings for Shoppers
Customized Corporate Chocolate Gifts
Bitzel's Chocolate Introduced New Gifting Options
Phygital Greeting Cards
Hallmark Gift Card Greetings Combines Physical and Digital Gifting
Recyclable Paper Packaging Initiatives
Walmart is Swapping to Recyclable Packaging on All Channels
Denim Take-Back Events
Target's New Denim Event Encourages Customers to Trade In Old Items
Christmas Shopping Centers
Staples Canada Launches Holiday Gift Centre for Personalized Shopping
Tech-Powered Business Solutions
Apple Business Connect Leverages the Brand's User Base
Immersive Greeting Card Pop-Ups
The Anything Roots Post Shares the Magic of Handwritten Cards
Vegan Lifestyle Gift Cards
The Vegan Gift Card from epay is Touted as the First of its Kind
Sneaker-Resembling Leather Wallets
These Nike Cardholders are Reminiscent of Its Sneakers
Rewarding AI Shopping Apps
The ShopUp App Revolutionizes In-Store Shopping with AI Data
Gamified Shopping Carts
Instacart Unveils New Updates to its Smart Shopping Carts
Confidence-Promoting Conversation Cards
TableTalk is a Card Deck of Mealtime Conversations
Personalized Hydration Memberships
Gatorade Unveils its First Rewards Program for Frequent Buyers
Nostalgic Trading Card Games
The Pokémon Company Introduces the 'Pocket' App for Digital Trading
Coffee Disloyalty Programs
Peet's Coffee Accepts Points from Rival Brands on National Coffee Day
Magician-Designed Playing Cards
Viral Illusionist Billy Menezes Introduces MYSTERY PLAYING CARDS
Web Browser-Focused Rebate Programs
Shift is Launching the Toggle Tax Rebate Program
Unlimited Loyalty Programs
Panera Bread Has Introduced the Panera Unlimited Sip Club
Digital Loyalty Customer Cards
Passkit Makes Loyalty Cards for Apple and Google Wallet
Rewarding Money Apps
Shakepay Has an Innovative Reward System for Digital Currencies
Restaurant Gift Bonus Promos
The BurgerFi Bonus Cards Promotion is Arriving for Celebration Season
Rewarding Graduation Cards
Hallmark and Venmo Created Giftable Cards for the Class of 2024
Digital Sticky Note Tools
QR-NOTE Introduces a Modern Twist to the Traditional Sticky Note
Bridal Loyalty Incentives
David's Bridal Launches a New Loyalty Program
Pizza-Gifting Doormats
Pizza Hut's Reverse Delivery Doormat Gifts Pizza to Delivery Drivers
Third-Party Artisanal Marketplaces
Michaels Launches the MarkerPlace Alternative Marketplace
DIY Retailer Rewards Programs
Lowe’s Launches the MyLowe’s Rewards Loyalty Program
Employee-Facing Automation Technology
Starbucks' Siren Craft System Improves Customer Service
Intimacy-Promoting Card Games
Coconu's Connect Card Game is Catered to Couples
Insightful Fraud-Battling Initiatives
TPAY Addresses Fraud in Mobile Payments
QR Code Shopping Assistants
Nintendo Implemented Icecat Tech to Enhance In-Store Shopping
Travel Sector-Focused Payment Tools
Nium and HyperGuest Streamline B2B Payments in Travel
Exclusive Gamer Gift Cards
Candy Crush Saga Gift Cards Share a 48-Hour Unlimited Lives Bonus
Simplified Loyalty Programs
CVS Pharmacy Adds Two More Membership Tiers to its Reward Program
Digital Business Card Platforms
Digital Business Card Claims to Offer an Eco-Friendly Approach
Convenient Online Greeting Cards
Happy Tree Cards Makes Online Cards a More Collaborative Process
Palm-Enabled Contactless Payments
Amazon is Using Artificial Intelligence to Read Customer's Palms
Thoughtful Conversation Cards
Lumitory's Conversation Cards Offer Thought-Provoking Prompts
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Cashback Grocery Deliveries
Instacart and Chase Partnered to Offer 10% Back for Cardholders
Digital Experience Gifting
Memory Crate Lets Users Gift Coupons, Experiences, or Acts of Service
BNPL-Backed Credit Cards
Klarna Debuts a New Credit Card with Maximized Savings and 10% Cash Back
Gamified Shopping Experiences
Browse Booster Rewards Coupons for Product Views
Compact Payment Devices
Dojo Releases a Pocket-Sized Card Machine for Convenient Table Payments
Student-Focused Credit Cards
Neu Launches a Credit Card for College Students Building Their Credit
Custom Holiday Ornaments
Staples Print Services Make Custom Gifting Easy
AI-Enhanced QSR Rewards
Wendy's Leverages Artificial Intelligence for its New Rewards Platform
In-Store Swap Shops
The Primark Swap Shop Lets Customers Trade Goods for Digital Verte Tokens
Chicken Restaurant Rewards Systems
KFC U.S. Introduces a New Loyalty Program for Frequent Shoppers
Customized Membership Cards
Amaze Technologies Offers Digital Wallet Loyalty Solutions for Brands
Digital Wedding Platforms
Lovebird Fuses the Convenience of Digital with the Beauty of Print
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
Gaming Experience-Enhancing Innovations
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Debuts New Gaming Innovations
Customer Gifting Suites
Grey Bandit's Gifting Suite Gave Customers the Influencer Treatment
Digital Brainstorming Tools
Card Buddy Serves as an Online Space to Visualize Ideas and Thoughts
Quirky eCard Platforms
Happiepages Has an Online Celebratory Card for Any Occassion
AI Gift Note Writers
This Tool Heps Users Craft a Well-Written Message for a Gift
Date Night Card Decks
Date Night Deck Offers 50 Creative Ideas for Quality Time Together
Free Appetizer Passes
Red Robin's Limited-Edition Gift Card Provides Access to Appetizers
Business-Oriented Visa Cards
Veem Releases a New Virtual Visa Card for SMEs with Zero Fees
NFC-Enabled Business Cards
The Mobilo Smart Business Card Works with Any Smartphone
Amusement Park QR Readers
Intercard Launches the New Digital Kiosks with QR Code Readers
On-Demand Gift Deliveries
Just Eat and cardfactory Partnered to Offer Quick Gifts
Third-Party Coupon Providers
Instacart Taps Ibotta to Provide Customers with Digital Coupons
Trading Card Game Developments
Pokémon Unveils the Upcoming Trading Card Game Pocket
Retailer-Backed Holiday Experiences
J. Crew Launches a New AI-Powered Holiday Experience
Digital Loyalty Companions
Brew Perks Offers an Easy Way to Track Rewards, Unlock Exclusive Deals
Digital Retailer Gifting Options
Hallmark Gift Card Greetings Includes Over 100 Stores and Brands
Parental Gift Generators
The Parent Present Gift Generator Supports Gen Z & Millennial Shoppers
Retailer-Backed Rewards Cards
Target Launches the New Target Circle 360 Paid Membership
Video Call Shopping Services
Apple's Specialist over Video Service Enhances Personalization
Card-Sending App Features
Moonpig's Dating Game Invites its Users to Send Love Letters to Matches
Comprehensive Business Loyalty Solutions
BusinessQR Helps Brands Build Customer Loyalty
Drink Gift Registries
The Drizly Gift Registry Shares the Gift of Great Drinking Experiences
Modern Business Card Scanners
Spreadly Scan Brings Networking to the Modern Age
Holiday Meal Savings Campaigns
The Dollar General 'Decked Out In Deals' Campaign is Cost-Conscious
Secure Safety Credit Cards
Bitsa Launches a New Safety Card with Enhanced Security Features
Online Tip Collecting
Tipsme Changes the Way Individuals and Businesses Collect Tips
Flexible Payment Features
Jifiti Has Introduced Tap Now, Pay Later™ Technology
Digitized Gift Lists
Wishr Features a Straightforward Interface for Seamless Gift Management
Corporate Gift Basket Ranges
Canada's Gift Baskets Debuts a New Range of Corporate Gift Baskets
Personalized AI Gift Recommender
Gift Recommender Simplifies Gift-Giving by Analyzing Details
Digital Commercial Payment Apps
Mastercard Unveils the Mobile Virtual Card App for Businesses
Morocco-Based Card Programs
Citibank Partners with Mastercard to Launch a Commercial Card Program
Coffee-Focused Rewards Programs
The Human Bean Launches a New Rewards App and System
Social Wishlist Networks
WishSpace Lets Users Store Their Wishlists for Easier Gifting
Digital Cash Payment Systems
Apple Cash is Planning to Offer a Virtual Card Number in Update
Virtual Supplier Spending Cards
ConnexPay Launches the ConnexPay Flex Variable-Rate Virtual Card
Comprehensive Checkout Tools
TreviPay Launches an All-in-One Checkout Solution to Reduce Friction
Generous Referral Programs
SimpliSafe's Generous Referral Program Rewards Both Referrer and Friend
Gas Retailer Rewards Programs
Gas N Wash Unveils its Updated Mobile App and Rewards Program