Digital Reward Types for Incentive Programs

TL;DR

At a glance

Reward type	Great for	Where to use	Key considerations
Retail gift cards	Associating your organization with a brand recipients already like	The selected retailer (e.g., Amazon, Starbucks, etc)	Brand, denomination, and regional availability
Prepaid cards	Flexible spending across different stores and purchases	Visa® or Mastercard® acceptance network	Expiration, location, and card terms
Charity donations	Letting recipients support a cause of their choosing	CharityChoice or Charity On Top	Participating nonprofits and regional availability
Instant Pay	Putting funds directly into a recipient’s bank account	Recipient’s linked bank account	Debit-card eligibility and program access
Crypto rewards	US audiences that have shown an interest in crypto	Fold App	Currently limited by region and provider
Micro-rewards	High-volume programs rewarding quick, repeatable actions	Depends on the selected gift card or prepaid option	Some Giftbit options start at $0.01; minimums vary by brand and region

Retail gift cards

🛍️ Gift cards

Choose from 1,500+ brands across 40+ countries, with popular options for shopping, dining, travel, entertainment, groceries, and more. Retail gift cards let your organization reward people with brands they already know and value. Plus, the experience can be customized, and people are generally already familiar with gift cards, so they're easy to redeem and use.

Great for: when you want recipients to connect your organization with a brand they already like, and when you want them to choose something they'll remember, whether it's for a quick treat or a bigger purchase. Give someone a gift card and they'll be more likely to remember where they spent it and who gave it to them (source).

Key benefits of gift cards:

Immediate recipient recognition
Brand affinity
Easy redemption

Send one specific brand, curate a small selection, or let recipients choose from the full catalog.

Keep exploring a few popular options below—or browse the full global catalog to see everything available:

Bulk Amazon gift cards

Amazon gift cards are one of the most popular digital incentives in Giftbit’s large catalog. Send them individually or in bulk for employee rewards, research incentives, customer promotions, and more.

Explore Amazon gift cards

Read the international Amazon sending guide

Bulk Starbucks gift cards

Starbucks gift cards are a recipient favourite that can be used for coffee, snacks, and everyday treats. Send Starbucks on its own, or curate a selection of more coffee gift cards to give recipients even more choice.

Explore Starbucks gift cards

Browse more coffee gift cards

Visa® & Mastercard®

💳 Prepaid cards

Give recipients the freedom to spend online or in store wherever their Visa or Mastercard prepaid card is accepted. Unlike a retail gift card, a prepaid card isn’t tied to one brand or category, so recipients have more control over how they use it.
(Pro-tip: in industry-speak, prepaid cards are also referred to as 'open-loop' cards).

Great for: when you don’t know where someone likes to shop, when the reward may go toward everyday expenses, when a larger amount needs to be spent across different stores and purchases, or you're looking for a reward that feels more like cash than a gift card does.

Giftbit's prepaid options are available across 150+ countries, and depending on your region, physical cards may be available, too.

Note that currencies, denominations, expiration, physical-card availability and mobile-wallet support vary by card and country. Always ask your gift card provider for the fine print before getting started.

Virtual Prepaid Visa

A popular way to incentivize your US, Canadian, and Australian recipients. Recipients don't have to enter excess personal information, and they don't have to download a separate app to link it to their wallets.

Visa reward details

Virtual Prepaid Mastercard

Enabled for 'global spend', which means these cards can be spent internationally at any merchant that accepts Mastercard. Your recipients will be able to use their cards in their own local currency, both in-store or online.

Mastercard reward details

Donations

🎗️ Charity

Give recipients the option to donate their reward rather than redeem it for themselves. Through CharityChoice and Charity On Top gift cards, they can direct the value to one of more than a million verified nonprofits.

Great for: programs with a giving component, or reward catalogs that need a meaningful alternative to retail and prepaid cards. Recipients select the nonprofit, so your organization doesn’t have to nominate or endorse a single cause.

Offer a charity gift card on its own or consider including it alongside a curated selection of retail and prepaid rewards that are also in line with your company culture and values.

Payout rewards

📲 Instant Pay

Instant Pay

Send funds to a recipient’s existing Visa or Mastercard debit card, typically within minutes. There’s no new account to create, wallet to register, or banking information to provide.

Great for: programs where recipients need funds in their bank account rather than on a gift or prepaid card. The money arrives through a card they already use, with no separate reward balance to track. Particularly useful when you need to send a cash-like reward without collecting banking or other personal information.

Contact the team to add Instant Pay to your program.

Bitcoin reward card

₿ Crypto

Let US recipients redeem their reward for Bitcoin through the Fold App, giving people interested in cryptocurrency an alternative to gift and prepaid cards.

Great for: US programs with crypto-interested audiences. Because Bitcoin has more specialized appeal, it often works best alongside broader reward options rather than as the only choice.

Small denomination

🪙 Micro-rewards

Send small, frequent rewards for quick actions, with some Giftbit options starting at just $0.01. Digital delivery and API access make even high-volume programs manageable.

Great for: surveys, reviews, app check-ins, content uploads, and other repeatable actions where a larger reward would be out of proportion to the ask. Recipients get something spendable right away instead of waiting to accumulate points.

Selecting the right reward

How to choose

No single reward type is right for every program. The best fit depends on what you’re asking people to do, what will motivate and delight them, and how you want to deliver. Sometimes a familiar brand makes the reward more memorable. In other cases, flexibility, speed, or a direct payout matters more.

To settle on a reward type, start with your recipients, then work backwards. These seven questions will help narrow down the options:

▪️ How much choice should recipients have? One reward, a curated selection, or the freedom to choose from the full catalog? Giftbit data shows that senders are increasingly favoring broader recipient choice (more details below).

▪️ Where are your recipients located? Available brands, currencies, prepaid products, and terms vary by region. Learn more about sending international eGift cards here.

▪️ Should the reward be connected to a familiar brand or spendable more broadly?

▪️ How quickly (and how often) will rewards be sent? A one-time $100 reward has different requirements from thousands of $0.50 payouts.

▪️ Should recipients redeem a reward, or should funds go directly into their bank account?

▪️ How much value are you sending? Reward value can influence which brands people want. Giftbit’s internal data shows a noticeable shift at $100: recipients tended to choose treat-oriented brands at lower values, then moved toward more flexible options and essential retailers as reward values increase and reach that $100 threshold.

▪️ Should the reward have a claim-by date? Standard rewards, which do not have a claim-by date, accounted for 58.2% of Giftbit sends in the past few years. They can be a good fit for employee recognition and ongoing loyalty programs, while time-bound Promotional rewards can create urgency for shorter campaigns.

⚠️ Note: not every gift card provider allows you to set expiry dates without added charges, and some may keep more breakage (i.e., unclaimed rewards) for themselves. Always ask about expiry and unclaimed policies in your discovery process.

Still sorting through the options? Talk to our team.
We love helping people work through the details and design a program that fits, from small pilots to high-volume programs.

What Giftbit’s reward data tells us

Giftbit’s 2026 Incentives Trend Report analyzed how organizations sent rewards, and how recipients claimed them, across 2024 and 2025:

38.6% growth in Full Catalog use

Full Catalog use increased from 29.9% to 41.4%, showing a strong shift toward giving recipients more choice.

28.4% faster consumer claims

The average claim time for consumer incentives fell from 9.5 days to 6.8 days, suggesting that rewards tied to surveys, sign-ups, purchases, and other immediate actions should be simple and quick to claim.

$100 is the flexibility threshold

In the USD, CAD, and AUD data analyzed, recipients tended to select treats like Starbucks gift cards at lower values and shifted toward prepaid cards and essential retailers (Walmart, Target, etc.) once rewards reached $100 or more.

Digital rewards FAQs

What are the main types of digital rewards?

The main digital reward types available through Giftbit are:

Closed-loop retail eGift cards tied to brands such as Amazon, Starbucks, Apple, and Walmart
Open-loop prepaid cards from Visa and Mastercard
Charity donation rewards
Direct-to-bank payouts through Instant Pay
Cryptocurrency rewards
Micro-rewards for high-volume, repeatable actions

Each serves a different purpose. Retail gift cards create an association with a familiar brand, prepaid cards offer broader spending flexibility, and direct payouts place funds into an existing bank account. Charity and cryptocurrency rewards give recipients alternatives to traditional spending, while micro-rewards make it practical to recognize small actions at scale.

Can digital rewards be sent internationally?

Yes, some digital rewards can be sent internationally, but international reward sending requires more than choosing a globally recognized brand. Many retail gift cards are region-locked, which means the card must match the recipient’s country, currency, or account region.

Giftbit offers localized gift card catalogs in more than 40 countries, along with prepaid card support across more than 150 countries. For a distributed audience, senders can offer the full Giftbit catalog so recipients see locally valid options, or select country-specific rewards for each region.

Learn more about international digital rewards.

How should I choose between open-loop prepaid cards and closed-loop gift cards?

Choose an open-loop prepaid card when recipients need broad spending flexibility. Cards from Visa and Mastercard can be used across many merchants, making them well suited to diverse audiences, larger reward amounts, international programs, and situations where you don't know where someone prefers to shop.

Choose a closed-loop gift card when the brand is part of the reward experience. A Starbucks, Amazon, Apple, or grocery gift card can feel more specific and memorable, reinforce a campaign theme, and/or direct spending toward a useful category.

There is also a third option. Giftbit can give recipients access to a full catalog of closed-loop gift cards and eligible prepaid options. This preserves recipient choice while giving the reward a more distinct experience than simply sending cash.

Always review card terms, including regional acceptance, expiration, wallet compatibility, and any registration requirements. Learn more about open-loop and closed-loop rewards.

What gift card types and amounts work best for different employee recognition occasions?

The appropriate amount for employee rewards depends on your budget, company culture, the significance of the occasion, and any applicable tax policies. These ranges provide a practical starting point:

Small wins and everyday recognition: For rewards under $20, coffee, lunch, Amazon, grocery, and gas gift cards work well for quick thank-yous, peer recognition, and small project wins.

Meaningful contributions and project completions: For rewards from $21 to $100, consider flexible retail, dining, food delivery, or prepaid options. These amounts feel more substantial while still leaving room to recognize employees regularly.

Milestones, anniversaries, and major achievements: At $100 and above, employees often prefer more practical and flexible options. Prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards, Amazon, Walmart, grocery, travel, and full-catalog rewards can give the recipient more control over a higher-value award.

Exceptional performance and major service milestones: For rewards over $500, travel, premium retail, open-loop prepaid cards, or a full catalog of choices can help the award feel significant without forcing every recipient into the same option.

When employee preferences are not known, a full catalogue is usually the safest choice. Giftbit data shows that employees take time to consider higher-value rewards and increasingly value the ability to select something for themselves.

Learn more about digital employee rewards.

Prepaid card availability FAQs

Where can I buy a digital Mastercard reward card for business use?

A digital Mastercard reward card is a prepaid card issued on the Mastercard payment network and delivered electronically. Businesses load the card with a set value and send it as an incentive, reward, rebate, or payout. Once claimed, the recipient can use it at eligible merchants that accept Mastercard, subject to the card’s regional and merchant restrictions.

“Mastercard reward card” is a general product category, not one universal card sold directly by Mastercard. Mastercard provides the payment network, while licensed issuers and reward providers create and manage individual card programs. Fees, expiration dates, supported countries, spending rules, and mobile-wallet functionality therefore vary by provider.

Businesses can obtain Mastercard reward cards in several ways:

Use a prepaid card provider like Giftbit. Business reward platforms offer digital Mastercard and Visa prepaid cards alongside tools for bulk sending, scheduled delivery, reward links, reporting, automation, and recipient support. Giftbit, BHN Rewards, Giftogram, Tillo, and OmniCard are examples of providers. Giftbit offers a Virtual Prepaid Mastercard that can be sent individually, in bulk, through reward links, or automatically using Zapier or an API, with no minimum order quantity.
Buy prepaid cards from a retailer or convenience store. This can be a simple option when you only need one or two cards. However, buying cards individually, keeping track of activation receipts, and manually distributing them becomes inefficient for larger or recurring business programs. Retail cards may also come with purchase or activation fees.
Purchase through an online gift card marketplace or reseller. Some marketplaces sell prepaid cards in small quantities without requiring a full rewards platform. This may work for occasional purchases, but businesses should check whether the seller supports bulk delivery, business billing, card-status reporting, and recipient assistance.
Work directly with a card issuer or prepaid program manager. Larger organizations can establish a customized Mastercard incentive-card program through a bank, licensed issuer, or program manager. This route can provide more control over card branding, funding, and spending rules, but it usually requires more compliance work, technical integration, onboarding time, and volume commitments.

When comparing options, check where recipients can claim and spend the card, whether it supports online and in-store purchases, mobile-wallet compatibility, denomination limits, expiration dates, foreign-exchange fees, minimum orders, delivery methods, reporting, and recipient support. A card described as “global” may still have country restrictions or additional registration requirements, so the provider’s specific terms matter more than the Mastercard logo alone.

Does Giftbit require you order a minimum number of Virtual Prepaid Mastercard cards?

No. Giftbit does not have a minimum order quantity for its USD Virtual Prepaid Mastercard (or for any other reward type in its catalog). You can send a single card or distribute cards in bulk without a subscription, setup fees, or a minimum-volume commitment.

Available denominations, recipient eligibility, and regional terms depend on the prepaid product being used. Review the current product details before sending, particularly for international programs.

Does Giftbit offer physical prepaid cards?

Yes. Giftbit offers physical USD Visa Incentive Cards that can be mailed to eligible recipients in the United States.

Current printing and shipping fees are $2.95 per six-month physical card and $4.95 per 12-month physical card. After the recipient claims the reward and provides a valid U.S. mailing address, delivery generally takes two to three weeks.

Physical Visa cards are useful for recipients who prefer a tangible card or may be less comfortable using digital wallets. They must be added to a customized reward selection and are not included automatically in Full Catalog rewards.

Review the current prepaid reward options and Giftbit pricing before ordering.

Gift card availability FAQs

Does Giftbit offer Kroger and Publix gift cards?

Yes. Giftbit offers Kroger and Publix eGift cards for recipients in the United States, along with ACME Markets, Albertsons, Giant Eagle®, Kings Food Markets, Safeway, Shaw's, Target, Tom Thumb, Tops Markets, and Walmart.

These practical grocery rewards work well for employee recognition, customer incentives, research participation, and programs designed to help with everyday expenses.

Senders can include Kroger or Publix in a customized reward selection, or provide access to a broader catalogue of locally available options. Brand availability and denominations may vary, so confirm the current options in the Giftbit catalog when creating your reward.

Does Giftbit offer Coles eGift cards in Australia?

Yes. Coles eGift cards are available through Giftbit for recipients in Australia. They can be sent individually or in bulk and delivered digitally through email, reward link, integration, or API.

Coles is a practical option for employee rewards, customer incentives, survey participation, and other programs where recipients may value help with groceries and everyday essentials.

Explore more Australian gift card options.

Does Giftbit offer Old Navy gift cards?

Yes. Old Navy gift cards are available through Giftbit in the USA and Canada. They can be offered as a standalone reward or included with other retail brands in a customized selection or full catalog.

Check the current Giftbit catalog for availability, denominations, and redemption terms in your recipient’s region.

Does Giftbit offer PlayStation gift cards?

Yes. Giftbit offers PlayStation Store gift cards in several supported regional catalogs. Businesses can send them individually, in bulk, or as part of a broader selection of gaming and entertainment rewards.

PlayStation cards are generally region-specific, so the card must match the recipient’s PlayStation account region. Giftbit’s localized catalogs help senders offer options that are valid for the recipient’s country.

Learn more about digital gaming gift cards.

Does Giftbit offer Google Play gift cards?

Yes. Google Play gift cards are available through Giftbit in supported countries. They can be used as employee rewards, customer incentives, research payments, promotional rewards, or part of a curated gaming and entertainment selection.

Google Play cards are region-specific. Availability, denominations, and redemption terms depend on the recipient’s country and Google Play account region, so senders should select the appropriate regional card or let recipients choose from their localized Giftbit catalog.

Which gas gift cards does Giftbit offer in Canada?

Giftbit’s Canadian catalogue includes digital gas gift cards from:

Esso and Mobil
Petro-Canada

These cards can be useful for employee rewards, driver incentives, customer promotions, and programs that prioritize practical everyday value. Depending on the merchant’s terms, recipients may also be able to use them for eligible convenience-store purchases or car-wash services at participating locations.

Brand availability and denominations can change, so confirm the current selection in the Giftbit catalog before sending.

Where does Giftbit offer Deliveroo gift cards?

Giftbit currently offers Deliveroo gift cards for recipients in:

Belgium
France
Great Britain
Italy
United Arab Emirates

Deliveroo availability is country-specific, and the available food delivery brands differ by market. Giftbit can also offer alternatives such as Uber Eats, Just Eat, Takeaway.com, and other locally relevant services, depending on the recipient’s country.

Available brands change as the catalog expands, so confirm the current options before launching a campaign. See Giftbit’s international food delivery reward options.

Can I send a U.S. Apple Gift Card to a recipient in another country?

You can send a U.S. Apple Gift Card to someone who is physically located in another country only if their Apple ID is set to the United States. Apple Gift Cards are region-locked, so the card’s country must match the country or region associated with the recipient’s Apple ID.

The recipient’s email address does not need to be U.S.-based. The Apple ID region is the important requirement. A recipient with a Canadian Apple ID, for example, cannot redeem a U.S. Apple Gift Card.

For an international program, the safer process is:

Confirm the country or region associated with each recipient’s Apple ID.
Create a Giftbit business account using your work email address.
Select an Apple Gift Card that matches the recipient’s region, or offer a localized catalog that includes the appropriate version.
Add recipients individually or upload a contact list.
Choose email, reward link, integration, or API delivery.
Fund the order and send or schedule the rewards.
Track delivery and claims through the Giftbit dashboard.

Giftbit currently offers regional Apple Gift Cards in a number of supported countries. Availability can change, so check the catalog before sending. Read the complete guide to sending Apple Gift Cards internationally.

Reward types for every program

Whether you’re driving survey responses, recognizing employee milestones, or scaling a global loyalty program, Giftbit makes it easy to offer a variety of digital rewards that fit your audience.

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Digital reward types for your incentive program

The right digital reward for every use case