These E-Gift Cards Offer the Flexibility Recipients Want

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    BHN Rewards

  • posted

    Feb 01, 2024

  • topic

    Academic Research, Digital Marketing, Employee Rewards, Market Research, Sales

These E-Gift Cards Offer the Flexibility Recipients Want

What do a survey respondent, a webinar attendee, a loyal customer, and an engaged employee have in common? They all want the e-gift cards they receive as rewards to be flexible.

According to a Deloitte industry insight report, more than 80% of consumers say they desire more flexible or customized ways to earn — and redeem — benefits. Similarly, a PwC survey on the best personalized rewards experiences reveals that 43% want a loyalty program with flexible rewards.

As your rewards program matures, then, it makes sense to take your target audience’s preferences into account so your incentives can be as effective as possible in encouraging certain actions.

But exactly what do we mean by flexible rewards? Unlike traditional e-gift cards that can be spent only at a single merchant, like Starbucks or Macy’s, some reward options come with more choices built-in.

There are three kinds of flexible e-gift cards to consider adding to your rewards program to meet — and exceed — your recipients’ expectations.

READ MORE: Prepaid Rewards Card vs. Multi-Brand Gift Card

Multiple Brands in the Same Company

Companies that own more than one retailer or restaurant often offer flexible e-gift cards that can be spent on all their brands, such as:

  • TJX USA rewards can be used at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and HomeSense.
  • Gap Options USA rewards are good for purchases at Athleta, Banana Republic, The Gap, and Old Navy.
  • Bloomin’ Brands rewards work at Bonefish Grill, Carraba’s, Flamingo’s, and Outback Steakhouse.

Brands Grouped by Theme

Another option for flexible rewards is a card that’s curated around a theme, such as travel, dining, or entertainment, which recipients can use at multiple merchants. For instance:

  • A Pack & Go reward can be redeemed at Airbnb, Chevron or Texaco gas stations, GrubHub, or Southwest Airlines.
  • A Game & Grub reward card includes Buffalo Wild Wings, Domino’s, GameStop, GrubHub, and Xbox.
  • A Happy Holidays Dining e-gift card is good for BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, and Red Robin.

Category Aggregator

These e-gift cards are for websites that let you buy products or services at many different locations from many different brands. Here are a few examples:

  • Spafinder rewards can be used to book services like manicures, pedicures, massages and wellness retreat getaways at thousands of spas across the country.
  • DoorDash rewards are good for delivery and takeout meals at 500,000 restaurants nationwide.
  • Hotels.com rewards allow you to book stays at hundreds of thousands of accommodations worldwide, including major hotel chains.

Other Ways to Offer Flexibility With E-Gift Cards

Those three reward options allow for a flexible yet tailored experience, but sometimes, broader is better. That’s when you may want to opt for a virtual prepaid Mastercard or Visa reward instead, so recipients can use it anywhere those credit card networks are accepted.

Technology can also help you give the flexibility that reward recipients are looking for. A platform like BHN Rewards lets you choose which e-gift cards to offer for each campaign, and the recipient can pick the one they want. You can even include prepaid and multi-brand cards in your curated selection.

Have recipients in multiple countries? Make sure you’re choosing flexible rewards that are redeemable in their location. Here are some ins and outs of rewarding with international gift cards.

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BHN Rewards

BHN Rewards puts the power of digital rewards to work for marketers, researchers, and HR managers. Don't forget to check out all the great content in our Resources section!

BHN Rewards puts the power of digital rewards to work for marketers, researchers, and HR managers. Don't forget to check out all the great content in our Resources section!