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Gift card on wallet: the digital twin of physical cards for omnichannel use

Traditional gift cards have limits in terms of distribution and use: physical cards, while pleasant to give and receive, are often forgotten or lost. As for emails, they suffer from a low opening rate and risk being filtered into spam. Faced with these challenges, the digitization of gift cards in mobile wallets (Apple Wallet & Google Wallet) makes it possible to create a digital twin of the physical card. It simplifies use in stores, where it can be scanned or used via NFC, and online, thanks to native integration into the shopping journey.

The omnichannel experience at the service of the customer

Immediate accessibility

One of the main advantages of gift cards on mobile wallets is their ease of addition and access. In a few seconds, the beneficiary can register their card directly in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, without an application to download, via:

  • A QR code printed on a receipt or integrated into the website.
  • An NFC chip on the physical medium allowing instant addition in a simple tap.
  • An addition link sent by email or SMS to the recipient of the gift.

No need to search for an email, remember a code or carry a physical card: the gift card is always available directly on the beneficiary's smartphone!

Seamless use, in store and online

Digital gift cards are a natural part of an omnichannel customer journey:

  • In store, the card is pre-selected and ready to be used at the cash register simply by scanning the QR code or by bringing your phone to an NFC terminal for greater simplicity.
  • Online, a dynamic link can be integrated into the back of the card to directly access the website and thus use it.

👉 After each use, the card is updated automatically and the remaining amount is adjusted in real time in the system. Thus, the available balance is always accurate, both for the customer and for the brand. In addition, wallet gift cards can be breakable or non-breakable: either it allows several uses until the balance is exhausted, or it must be used all at once.

Native integration with POS for a frictionless experience

For a quick and smooth checkout, gift cards on mobile wallets can be directly integrated into existing systems of brands such as Cegid POS, Square, Shopify or else NewStore. Thus, thanks to reading via QR code or NFC, sellers can apply the voucher in one gesture to save time in store.

A solution that boosts engagement and loyalty

Wallet gift cards are not just vouchers, they become a powerful tool for interacting with the customer.

A customizable gift card for a unique experience

Thanks to mobile wallets, it is possible to add a personal touch to each card. When sending the gift, it is possible to include a personalized message, such as “Happy Birthday! Take advantage of this gift to make yourself happy” or even “Thank you for this year together, make yourself happy!” This message can be displayed:

  • On the download page before adding the card to the wallet
  • Directly on the card in the wallet

The card design can also be adapted to any occasion: birthday, holiday, Valentine's Day, or any other special event. Brands can thus offer several graphic styles, allowing the customer to choose a design that best suits the recipient. This personalization turns a classic gift card into a unique and memorable experience. Attention that makes all the difference!

Push notifications: 4 times more effective than email

Unlike emails and SMS that are often ignored, push notifications offer direct interaction with the customer. An expiration reminder is automatically triggered to encourage use before the deadline. Finally, the customer can receive a geolocated notification when they pass near a store. An effective way to promote drive-to-store!

Personalized offers and gamification

Via mobile wallets, brands can go even further by making the gift card interactive:

  • By customizing the card according to the occasions (birthdays, holidays, special events).
  • By adding personalized messages on the back of the card such as special offers and loyalty bonuses to encourage beneficiaries to come back to the store.

👉 Do you want to know more about setting up a gift card on wallet? Find out in this item how to set it up via our The Wallet Crew solution!

Why are wallet gift cards essential for brands?

Increase sales and improve customer experience

  • Higher card usage rate : +20% compared to physical cards.
  • Additional purchases : Beneficiaries often spend more than the original value of the card.
  • Enhanced customer experience : Less friction, more simplicity, and rapid adoption.

Security and the fight against fraud

Thanks to a tokenization system, each card is secure and cannot be duplicated or used in a fraudulent manner. Unlike physical cards, which are often lost or sometimes stolen, a card stored in a mobile wallet always remains accessible and directly linked to the beneficiary's smartphone. In addition, reinforced authentication via Face ID or Touch ID guarantees secure payment, preventing unauthorised use.

Conclusion

Gift cards on mobile wallets represent a real evolution compared to traditional formats. Always accessible on smartphones, they guarantee a smooth omnichannel experience thanks to intuitive use in store and online, as well as native integration with payment systems. Beyond their practicality, they become a real lever for engagement: push notifications, personalized offers, tailor-made design and dedicated messages make it possible to strengthen the link with your customers. 👉 Do you want to integrate this innovative solution into your brand? Contact us !