Gift Cards Guide

# Gift Cards Guide Boost revenue and attract new customers with RecSystems' gift card feature. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, and customer rewards. ## 🎯 Overview Gift cards in RecSystems: - Generate immediate revenue - Attract new customers - Reduce no-shows (pre-paid) - Create perfect gifts for adventure seekers - Track usage and balances automatically ## 🎁 How Gift Cards Work ### The Customer Journey 1. **Purchase**: Customer buys gift card online 2. **Delivery**: Receives code via email 3. **Redemption**: Enters code during booking checkout 4. **Balance**: Any remainder stays on card ### Behind the Scenes - Each card has unique code - Balance tracked in real-time - Partial redemptions allowed - No expiration dates (unless set) - Full reporting available ## 🚀 Setting Up Gift Cards ### Step 1: Enable Gift Cards 1. Go to **Dashboard** → **Gift Cards** 2. Click **Settings** or **Configure** 3. Toggle **Enable Gift Cards** to ON ### Step 2: Configure Options ``` Essential Settings: - Minimum Amount: $25 - Maximum Amount: $500 - Preset Amounts: $50, $100, $150, $200 - Custom Amounts: Allow/Disallow ``` ### Step 3: Customize Design 1. **Email Template** - Add your logo - Customize colors - Write welcome message - Include terms 2. **Gift Card Display** - Choose card design - Add branding elements - Set up thank you message ## 💳 Managing Gift Cards ### View All Gift Cards Navigate to **Dashboard** → **Gift Cards** to see: - Card code - Original amount - Current balance - Purchase date - Purchaser info - Usage history ### Search and Filter Find specific cards by: - Code (partial match) - Purchaser email - Date range - Balance status - Amount range ### Manual Card Creation For promotions or corrections: 1. Click **Create Gift Card** 2. Enter amount 3. Add optional note 4. Generate code 5. Send to recipient ## 📊 Gift Card Sales ### Promoting Gift Cards **On Your Website** - Add gift card link to navigation - Feature on homepage - Include in booking flow **Marketing Ideas** - Holiday promotions - Birthday gift suggestions - Corporate gifts - Loyalty rewards - Contest prizes ### Seasonal Campaigns ``` Peak Gift Card Seasons: - 🎄 Christmas: #1 season - 🎂 Father's Day: Outdoor adventures - 🎁 Mother's Day: Relaxation packages - 🎃 Black Friday: Bonus value offers - 💝 Valentine's Day: Couple experiences ``` ## 🔄 Customer Redemption ### How Customers Use Gift Cards 1. **During Booking** - Enter code at checkout - System validates instantly - Shows available balance - Applies to total 2. **Partial Usage** - Balance remains on card - Email confirms remainder - Can use multiple times 3. **Combining Payment** - Gift card + credit card - Multiple gift cards - With promo codes ### Staff Processing When customers call to use gift cards: 1. Ask for gift card code 2. Look up in system 3. Verify balance 4. Apply to booking 5. Note remaining balance ## 📈 Tracking & Reporting ### Key Metrics Monitor gift card performance: - **Sales Volume**: Total cards sold - **Revenue Generated**: Immediate income - **Redemption Rate**: % used - **Average Value**: Per card - **Breakage**: Unredeemed value ### Monthly Reports Track important trends: ``` Sample Report: - Cards Sold: 47 - Total Value: $5,250 - Redeemed: $3,800 (72%) - Outstanding: $1,450 - New Customers: 23 ``` ### Financial Considerations - **Liability**: Outstanding balances - **Revenue Recognition**: When redeemed - **Breakage Estimate**: ~10-20% never used - **Cash Flow**: Immediate benefit ## 💡 Best Practices ### Pricing Strategy 1. **Popular Amounts** - Match common rental prices - Round numbers ($100, $200) - Consider package deals 2. **Bonus Value** - Buy $100, get $110 - Limited time offers - Volume discounts ### Marketing Tips - **Email Campaigns**: "Perfect Gift" messaging - **Social Media**: Share customer experiences - **Point of Sale**: Mention during bookings - **Partnerships**: Local hotels/tourism ### Customer Service - Always check balance before booking - Explain partial usage clearly - Keep purchase records - Handle lost codes case-by-case ## 🚨 Common Issues & Solutions ### "Gift card not working" 1. Verify code entered correctly 2. Check balance in system 3. Ensure not already fully used 4. Confirm gift cards enabled ### "Lost gift card code" 1. Search by purchaser email 2. Verify purchase details 3. Resend code if verified 4. Document interaction ### "Refund to gift card" - Generally not recommended - Store credit alternative - Clear policy needed - Manual processing only ## 🎯 Advanced Strategies ### Corporate Programs Set up B2B gift card sales: - Bulk purchases - Custom amounts - Invoice billing - Company branding - Volume discounts ### Loyalty Integration Use gift cards for: - Referral rewards - Review incentives - Repeat customer bonuses - Service recovery - Milestone celebrations ### Cross-Promotion Partner opportunities: - Hotels include in packages - Tourism boards promotion - Chamber of commerce - Event organizers - Wedding planners ## 📋 Quick Reference ### Gift Card Statuses - **Active**: Available to use - **Depleted**: Zero balance - **Partial**: Balance remaining ### Common Amounts - $50 - Single hour rental - $100 - Half day adventure - $200 - Full day experience - $500 - Weekend package ### Support Scripts **Selling**: "Gift cards make perfect presents for adventure lovers!" **Balance Check**: "I can look that up - what's your gift card code?" **Partial Use**: "You have $X remaining that you can use anytime!" ## 🔒 Security & Fraud Prevention ### Protect Against Fraud - Unique, complex codes - One-time generation - Balance limits - Usage tracking - Velocity checks ### Staff Guidelines - Never share codes insecurely - Verify purchaser identity - Document all adjustments - Monitor unusual patterns --- 💡 **Pro Tip**: Promote gift cards heavily during November-December for 40% of annual gift card sales! *Need help with gift cards? Contact [email protected]*