Virtual gift cards are an online gift solution for businesses. It is a digital card that employees or customers can use to redeem at an online store. They make employee recognition for businesses simple by instantly delivering cards that can be redeemed online.
Virtual gift cards are a digital version of physical cards. These cards come in the form of redeemable codes and are often tied to a specific brand, and can be used at that retailer's website. To redeem the card, the recipient needs to create an account with that retailer and enter the code at checkout to complete the purchase.
Traditionally, companies gave paper vouchers or physical store cards as employee rewards. These rewards come with their own challenges, like delayed delivery, risk of loss and limited flexibility. Here's what makes virtual cards different from traditional vouchers:
Virtual gift cards are not only a simple gifting solution for businesses but also have numerous advantages for employees:
Virtual gift cards are simple to use. Employees don&apost need to carry physical vouchers; they receive a unique card number via email. At checkout, they enter the code and instantly apply it to their purchase.
Since they are delivered online, virtual gift cards are always accessible from any device, from a desktop, tablet or mobile. Employees can redeem them from the comfort of their home or while on the go. Unlike physical cards that can be stolen, digital codes remain safe in the employee&aposs inbox.
For employees in Ireland, virtual gift cards are a non-cash benefit and are tax-free up to €1,500 annually under the Small Benefit Exemption Scheme. Cash bonuses are treated as regular income and trigger taxes like PRSI, USC and PAYE.
With hybrid and remote working as the new normal, recognising employees spread across different locations can be challenging. Virtual gift cards solve this problem by instantly delivering gifts via email, no matter where the employees are based.
Prepaid cards are pre-funded, meaning they are ready for use as soon as employees receive them. Businesses can issue and activate business prepaid cards for employees in 3 easy steps:
Work anniversaries, promotions and birthdays are some moments where employees can be recognised with a thoughtful reward.
Rewarding employees who exceed targets or contribute to key projects ensures their hard work doesn&apost go unnoticed.
Virtual gift cards can also be considered a great option for onboarding hampers for new employees.
Employees can be motivated with instant, performance-based recognition. Instead of waiting for quarterly reviews.
Seasonal rewards on occasions like Christmas, Easter, New Year&aposs, or other holidays are a great time to celebrate teams with a flexible gift.
Build branded digital Mastercard programs that are fast, flexible, and scalable, without the operational burden.