eGift Cards vs Traditional Gift Cards: A Comparison
Gift-giving is a timeless tradition, but as technology advances and lifestyles shift, so do the ways we show our appreciation. One standout trend in modern gifting is the rise of gift cards. With digital trends accelerating, one question often crops up:
eGift cards vs traditional gift cards… Which is best?
What Are Gift Cards and Why Do They Work?
Traditional and e-gift cards, or digital gift cards, are prepaid cards used to substitute cash in purchases. They’re incredibly effective for customer acquisition, retention, and brand exposure.
Studies show that gift card recipients often spend 20–30% more than the card’s value, making them a powerful revenue booster.
But not all gift cards are created equal.
eGift Cards: The Digital Advantage
1. Instant Delivery and Convenience
Digital gift cards are delivered instantly via email, ideal for last-minute shoppers or remote gifting. No shipping delays. No packaging required. Just a seamless customer experience.
70% of consumers say convenience is the top reason for purchasing an e-gift card.
2. Easy to Send, Easy to Use
Sending e-gift cards is as simple as clicking a button. These digital gift cards integrate smoothly into loyalty apps, giving customers easy access whether they’re shopping online or in-store.
Want to know how to use e gift card in-store? Many POS systems, including those integrated with bLoyal, allow barcode or QR code scanning directly from a smartphone.
3. Scalable and Data-Driven
e-Gift cards are easy to manage across multiple channels and locations. With bLoyal’s centralized platform, you can track redemptions, customer behavior, and engagement in real time, paving the way for smarter marketing and loyalty decisions.
Traditional Gift Cards: The Physical Touch
1. Tangible and Personal
There’s still something special about handing someone a physical gift card. It feels more personal, making it a popular choice for birthdays, holidays, and corporate gifting.
Pro tip: Offering beautifully branded traditional gift cards in your tasting room, retail location, or pop-up shop can boost in-person sales.
2. Ideal for In-Store Loyalty Programs
Physical gift cards work particularly well for local businesses with a strong brick-and-mortar presence. Customers enjoy the in-hand experience, and with bLoyal’s POS integrations, you can seamlessly tie them into your rewards program.
3. Requires More Overhead
Unlike digital gift card options, physical gift cards come with printing, shipping, and potential inventory management costs. They also take time to deliver, which might clash with today’s expectations for instant gratification.
eGift Cards vs Traditional Gift Cards: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | e-Gift Cards | Physical Gift Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Time | Instant | 3–7 business days (on average) |
| Ease Of Use | Mobile-friendly, QR/barcode scannable | Requires physical POS interaction |
| Cost | Minimal (no print/shipping) | Higher (production and logistics) |
| Scalability | Highly scalable across platforms | Limited without centralized tracking |
| Gift Appeal | Great for convenience shoppers | Preferred for personal, in-person gifting |
| Environmental Impact | Low | Higher (plastic, packaging) |
| Loyalty Integration | Seamless with platforms like bLoyal | Seamless with platforms like bLoyal |
Give the Perfect Gift
The rise of gift cards as a go-to gifting option is no coincidence, it’s a direct result of their unmatched convenience and flexibility. Take Starbucks, for example, gift cards make up nearly 40% of their sales, proving just how powerful they can be in revenue growth. Meanwhile, Amazon gift cards consistently rank as the most requested item on its platform, highlighting their universal appeal.
Offering both physical and digital gift cards creates flexibility for your customers and supports more diverse purchasing behaviors. But whether it’s a digital gift card or a physical card at checkout, the goal remains the same: Make it easy to give and even easier to come back.
What bLoyal can do for you:
- Sync all gift card types across eCommerce and in-store channels.
- Track customer redemption in real time.
- Tie gift cards into points programs, VIP tiers, and promotions.
- Reward loyalty members with gift cards for referrals or milestones.
Gift Cards as a Loyalty Driver
For consumers, gift cards eliminate the guesswork, gift wrapping, and returns, giving recipients the freedom to choose exactly what they want, when they want it. And for retailers, they open the door to increased foot traffic, higher average spend, and long-term customer loyalty.
As digital gifting continues to surge, it’s clear that gift cards (especially digital ones) are leading the charge in modern, hassle-free gift-giving. Their popularity isn’t just a trend; it’s a reflection of evolving consumer behavior and a smart retail loyalty strategy.
With bLoyal, you can go beyond just selling gift cards. You can turn them into powerful marketing tools that fuel retention, upsells, and customer lifetime value. From sending digital gift cards on birthdays to offering bonus points on e-gift card redemptions, the possibilities are limitless. And scalable.
Ready to access the full potential of digital gift cards in your loyalty strategy?
bLoyal can help you grow your program. Your way.
