Picture this…
It’s your best friend’s birthday, you’re miles away, and time is running out for you to get a gift across to her in time. Enter the e-gift card, your digital saving grace that makes gifting possible in seconds.
Just like their physical counterparts, e-gift cards have many purposes, like as employee rewards, as part of customer loyalty programs, and even for personal budgeting. However, digital gift cards take it a notch higher as they are more secure and readily available.
In this article, you will learn what an e-gift card is, how e-gift cards work, their benefits and ways of using them. Let’s get started!
E-gift cards, also called digital gift cards, are a set of codes sent to your email address or phone number upon purchase. They are easy and convenient to buy online from the comfort of your home.
E-gift card are a prepaid payment method with a monetary value attached to it. One of the reasons it’s widely used is because you don’t need to enter your details online before you can use it. Just like physical gift cards, many are meant for a specific retailer or brand. So not all gift cards can be used everywhere, even when they work as a payment option at issuing retail stores or third-party stores.
The difference between a physical gift card and a digital gift card is how it looks. You can hold a traditional plastic or physical gift card in your hand, while a digital gift card is received by email address or SMS. This is also similar to their differences with cash.
E-gift cards are purchased online, and you either decide the amount that goes on it or opt for the one with a pre-set amount. When you make your purchase. Once you make the purchase, an alphanumeric code(which houses the card’s value) is sent to you. The card will be authenticated by the retailer’s servers and, in some cases, a PIN will be sent to the reciever’s email.
When you want to use an E-gift card to make a purchase, you just need to select it as a payment option among other ones available and input the gift card’s code. The payment system then verifies the validity of the code, its value, and whether it has been previously redeemed. Once it meets all criteria, the total amount of that purchase will be deducted from your gift card’s balance.
If any balance is left, you can use it to make another purchase anytime, and if the balance is not enough to complete a purchase, you can supplement with more gift cards or a debit/credit card.
Most e-gift cards can only be used at the retail store that issued them. Some, like Visa and MasterCard, are used at any store that accepts them as a payment option. Also, most e-gift cards work both online and in-store, while some work only online.
There are various benefits of digital gift cards. Let’s check them out:
E-gift cards are both convenient to buy and keep. You just need to go to the online platform you want to buy it from, make a purchase, and get it delivered to your email address instantly. You can also access the purchased e-gift card on your device anytime.
Unlike physical gift cards that can get lost, e-gift cards are safe on your device. You don’t have to worry about losing it in your wallet or anywhere you go. It’s also a safe option when you don’t want to release your personal details for an online purchase. You only need to provide your gift code, and the payment will be made.
Modern e-gift cards employ advanced encryption protocols and unique identification numbers. Plus many retailers also offer balance protection and fraud monitoring.
As the name says, you are basically gifting a loved one a card or code. E-gift cards are excellent gift choices for loved ones who live far away. They also give the recipient the choice to buy anything they want from the issuing store.
E-gift cards can be exchanged for cash via gift card trading platforms like NOSH. To sell gift cards on the platform, you must go through a few simple steps. The first step is to create a Nosh website account or download the mobile app from PlayStore/AppStore(more on this later).
E-gift cards help promote one’s brand and incentivize customers to buy more due to their convenience and security. Plus, they are cheaper than physical gift cards, which come at an extra cost of production.
Many e-gift cards can be stored in digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, making redemption as simple as a tap of your phone.
Similar Content: How to Send Gift Card Online and
| Difference | E-gift card | Physical gift card |
| Delivery | Delivery is instant and at no extra cost, irrespective of distance. Most e-gift card doesn’t require activation. | Delivery sometimes takes time, involves physical effort, and comes at a cost. You’ll either have to go to the store to get them, pay for delivery to a location, and wait a while for it to arrive. |
| Security | E-gift cards are relatively safe because they’re delivered to your email address. You cannot also mistakenly overscratch the code since it’s not a physical card. However, just like all digital assets, it can be hacked. It’s also an easy tool for online scams. | Physical gift cards can be stolen, tampered with or even forged in certain instances. It’s also an easy tool for scams. |
| Availability | Depending on the retailer and time of the year, e-gift cards are almost always available, mainly because they come at no extra cost of production. | Stores sometimes run out of stock of physical gift cards, and you can’t count on them to be always available, or in the denomination you want. |
| Format | Digital codes sent via email address. | Physical in a plastic card with a seal covering the code. |
| Customization | E-gift cards can be personalized with a note or unique design. | Physical gift cards have limited customization. |
| Value | E-gift cards are priced lower than the physical ones during resale . This makes them less profitable for traders. | Physical gift cards are more valuable than e-gift cards. |
To purchase an e-gift card from Nosh, here’s what you need to do:
You can also buy gift card code on Nosh as a guest without registering on the app.
Selling an e-gift card online via Nosh is a straightforward process; here are the steps to follow:
Proceed to withdraw your funds using the available methods on the Nosh platform.
Different retailers have their own method for redeeming their digital gift cards, but they follow a similar process like this:
Many cards can be redeemed in multiple ways, such as for online purchases and sometimes in-store, depending on the brand.
If your gift card balances are not enough to cover your order, you can add more e-gift cards individually to complete the order or supplement with a debit/credit card.
Also read: How Do I Check The Balance on My Gift Card
One option is to print the egift card out before going to the store if the retailer accepts printed copies in store, though some also accept it from your phone display. The printout should contain the gift card number, amount, and PIN. At the checkout point, you can present the printed slip to the store attendant. With physical cards, the cashier may swipe, scan, or tap the card, whereas with an e-gift card they usually check the code or barcode from the printout or email. Another option is to show the cashier the email containing the gift code details.
Certain e-gift cards can be used both online and at physical stores. There are some that can only be used online. However, not all gift cards are accepted everywhere, and usage depends on the issuing brand’s terms. Some can also be used internationally, including in over 90 countries, depending on the brand. It is advisable to read the terms and conditions of the gift card you want to buy.
You can buy E-gift cards on Nosh. There are different kinds of gift cards available on the platform. They include but are not limited to Google Play, Amazon, Apple, eBay, Walmart, Xbox, and Steam gift cards.
E-gift cards come in different preset amounts. Some brands allow flexible load amounts, while others only offer fixed denominations. However, you can buy as many as you want.
This differs according to the issuing brand and country legislation. Although most gift cards do not expire and no usage fees. However, certain gift cards like Visa and MasterCard attract a usage fee, and some prepaid options work more like debit cards.
You can also read about what happens to unused gift cards.
E-gift cards deliver almost instantly, within seconds or minutes.
Start your digital gifting journey today with e-gift cards. They are also a convenient way to make payments online for purchases and subscriptions. Create an account on the Nosh website or mobile app to buy an e-gift card anytime you like.
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