Instant Gift Card Delivery FAQs

TLDR: Instant gift card delivery lets you reward anyone, anywhere, right away.

💡 Send digital gift cards in seconds, no hassle or delays.
📲 Automate rewards for surveys, incentives, or team recognition
🌎 Choose from popular brands and deliver globally, then automatically track every reward you send. 

Instant gift card delivery can change the ways businesses motivate, appreciate, or simply connect with customers, employees, and survey participants. If you’ve ever needed to deliver a gift card right now or wanted to offer a quick thanks for a job well done, you know how valuable instant reward options can be.

Businesses love using digital gift cards for the same reason their recipients love getting them: they’re fast, flexible, and convenient. Because what's faster, more flexible, and more convenient than getting a reward instantly by text, email, or via an app you're already using? 🤔

In this article, we’ll explore instant gift card delivery, focusing on all the FAQs that we know more program managers have. Expect tips on purchasing, delivery options, personalization, security, and the types of retailers and cards available—all to help you get the most out of your digital rewards and incentives.

Quick intro: what is instant gift card delivery

We'll get into all the FAQs in a second. 

But first, let's make sure we're on the same page. To start, here’s a quick overview of the main benefits instant gift card delivery offers for businesses and recipients alike (we'll cover these in more detail below). 

Table 1: Key Benefits of Instant Gift Card Delivery

If you’re searching for instant gift card delivery, we're assuming you're looking for a way to buy and send digital gift cards at a moment’s notice (even in the next 10 minutes, maybe?).

👉 I.e., no more heading to the local drug store to peruse the endless physical card racks, and then addressing and stuffing envelopes to get them where they need to go. 

And/or, you want your gift cards to be delivered immediately after you send them. 

👉 I.e., no more making your recipients twiddle their thumbs while they wait around for their reward or payout to arrive, and no more making them jump through hoops just to use them, either. 

💳 → 📱 Instant gift card delivery means your recipient gets a virtual card as soon as you hit ‘send’. The process is quick and easy for you, and quick and easy for them. 

No waiting for snail mail, no risk of getting lost in the mail or in a drawer, no more plastic cards that ultimately wind up in a landfill. 

If you’re wondering how the process works, this table breaks down each step of buying and sending digital gift cards.

Table 2: How Instant Gift Card Delivery Works

 Now on to all the questions we regularly field from potential gift card senders! 👇

FAQ #1: How do I purchase a digital gift card?

First things first. How can you actually purchase and send these wonderfully speedy cards?

Buying and sending a digital gift card for virtually any business use case can (and should!) be a simple process. Indeed, if you’ve ever shopped online, you know the basic drill. 

Specifically, most digital gift card platforms (like Giftbit) are built to make bulk and individual sending quick, easy, and stress-free.

Here's your step-by-step guide:

1. Choose your platform

Start by picking the right service for your needs. Some platforms cater to consumers, others to businesses, and a few (like Giftbit) are made for teams who need to send lots of rewards, incentives, or payouts.

Think about your use case: Do you want to send one gift card at a time, or hundreds with just a few clicks? Do you want to send automatically? Do you need to connect your gift cards with other software tools you use, or even your own app? Will you be sending domestically, or will you need access to international eGift cards, too? 

Getting clarity on these answers will help you narrow down your many choices. 

👉 Note: Since 'digital' is often synonymous with 'instant,' you can expect most digital gift card providers to let you send rewards quickly. But getting started can be another issue. Many companies have laborious approval processes that can delay getting your incentive program off the ground (more on these processes below). 

If speed is a priority, choose one that requires less setup and shorter approval processes.⌛ 

For example, sign up for a Giftbit account now, and you can send your first gift card in just a few minutes. 

2. Select your gift card brand(s)

Once you’ve created your account, browse the rewards catalog to decide what types of gift cards you'd like to use. Of course, you'll want a platform that offers a wide variety of options, so you can be sure you're offering your recipients something they really, truly want. 

For example, in the Giftbit catalog, you’ll find coffee gift cards and gas gift cards along with options from popular local and global brands in categories like retail, dining, travel, and online subscriptions. Of course, there are options for prepaid cards from Visa® and Mastercard®, too. 

3. Decide on the amount

Next up, pick the denomination of gift card(s) you want to send. Ideally your platforms will have some flexibility here, so you can set custom amounts that are tailored for your budget. 

(And don't worry, we'll talk more about pricing details further below. 

4. Personalize your message

Don’t skip this part! Adding a personal note, the recipient’s name, or even your company logo can turn a basic reward into something more memorable. Most platforms make this easy, with message templates and branding options baked in to the delivery cake.🎂

5. Enter recipient details

Of course, your platform needs to know where your order is going! To deliver your emails, you’ll typically just need an email address (or sometimes a mobile number). For bulk orders, you can upload a CSV list, making it super efficient to send to dozens or hundreds at once.

Don't have contact info? You're still got options, which we'll cover below (hint: think QR code). 

6. Pay and send

Check out securely online—most platforms accept credit cards, ACH, or invoice billing for larger organizations.

That said, depending the size and scope of your program, you might need flexible payment options. If you anticipate special needs, be sure to ask about them in advance. 

Be aware that some companies may also require you to hold a significant holding account balance. 

❓Questions about paying, pricing, and bulk discounts at Giftbit? Book some time with Matt Brossard to chat through your options. 

A note about 'Know Your Business' (or, why using some platforms might not be as 'instant' as you're expecting)

Let’s talk about something that can trip up first-time gift card buyers: the “Know Your Business” (KYB) process.

KYB is an important security step for every digital gift card provider. It’s how we confirm your business is legitimate—protecting everyone from fraud and making sure all the right legal boxes get checked.

In practice, that means you'll have to provide some basic info about your company, like your business registration and tax ID.

But not every platform handles KYB the same way.

Here’s what you should know:

• Some providers have long, complicated KYB processes that can slow you down and delay your first order.

• Others (like Giftbit) have streamlined this step, so you get verified quickly and can start sending rewards sooner.

• A secure, efficient KYB process is key—it keeps your data safe without piling on unnecessary paperwork.

Bottom line: if you’re in a rush or managing a time-sensitive program, make sure to check how the KYB process works before you pick a provider. 

#2: How is the gift card delivered?

One of the top perks of digital gifting is the flexibility in delivery.

Go digital, and suddenly you're no longer limited to just one method. And that means you can meet your recipients wherever they are.💫

For example, here are some of the most popular delivery methods for Giftbit users. 

• Email: Still the most popular method, gift card email delivery works great for both bulk and individual rewards.
• Text/SMS: Need a faster, more personal touch? Send gift cards instantly by text. Ideal for workforces or customers who are always on their mobile phones.
• In-app delivery (API): Integrate reward delivery within your own app or platform. This is a particularly useful option for loyalty, referral, or employee engagement apps or systems.
• QR code: Generate a QR code for physical or digital sharing for events, quick handouts, or adding to printed collateral. Scan and claim is instantaneous, making them ideal for trade show giveaways and similar use cases, as well as for microrewards. 

Direct links provide another flexible option for immediate gift card delivery. Through the Giftbit platform or the gift card API, you can instantly create and use links you'll be able to delivery through any method—text, email, or any clickable channel. 

Meanwhile, if you prefer to stick with more traditional physical cards, you've still got options, in the form of prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards. Delivery may not be instant— you're typically looking at about two weeks via standard mail in the US.

But buying and sending them at least won't take you any longer than all the digital options available. 

Here’s a comparison of popular instant gift card delivery methods, their best use cases, and what makes each one stand out.

Table 3: Popular Instant Gift Card Delivery Methods & Best Use Cases

🎬 No-code Zapier integration in action:

Curipod, an educational tech app, offers gift cards as referral incentives. Eirik Hernes Berre, their COO & Co-Founder, needed a streamlined approach to handle them. 

With just ten minutes of setup via Zapier, the company now issues Visa prepaid cards automatically, triggered by referrals in HubSpot. Once connected, the process runs on its own.

This solution makes rewarding participants simple and helps Curipod expand—no coding skills required.

→ See the tutorial video he watched here. 

🎬 Dev-friendly API integration in action:

Prime46, a research and consulting firm, relies on Amazon gift card incentives to boost engagement in surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

Their project manager used to handle this by buying digital Amazon cards, emailing them out, and keeping tabs in a spreadsheet. 

Managing and tracking everything took hours each week, so they decided to integrate survey platform directly with a gift card API.

After just two days of developer work, the process ran itself:
• Gift cards were sent out automatically.
• All delivery, redemption, and invoices were tracked in one place.
• No more spreadsheets, lost codes, or tedious follow-ups.

Now, the program manager estimates he saves 5 to 10 hours every week.

→ Read the whole case study

#4: How fast will the gift card be delivered?

Speed is everything when it comes to “e-gift cards delivered within minutes.” Who wants to wait?

With instant gift card delivery, most digital cards send within seconds—certainly within the same day.

As soon as you place your order—whether it’s for one card or one thousand—the recipient should be able to see, redeem, and start shopping right away.

This is especially valuable for urgent use-cases, like sales incentives, spot recognition, survey participation rewards, or last-minute birthday surprises. Whether you send an email, text, or in-app reward, there’s no lag, no delivery limbo, and no stress.

Why does 'fast' even matter? 

The timing of your reward delivery isn’t just a nice-to-have—it can actually make or break the effectiveness of your program.

Research consistently shows that people place more value on rewards they receive quickly, even if those rewards are smaller.

In other words, a modest gift card that lands in someone’s inbox right after they’ve completed an action feels more meaningful than a larger reward that takes weeks to arrive.

This is rooted in basic psychology.

When a reward shows up immediately after the desired behavior, your recipient makes a strong mental connection between what they did and the positive result. Wait too long, and that impact fades.

If someone gets a gift card minutes after finishing a survey, it feels personal and relevant. That fast delivery boosts satisfaction and increases the chances they’ll engage with you again.

💡 Incentive Insight: quick rewards don’t just make people happy in the moment—they also encourage them to participate in your program again and again.

#5: Which retailers or brands are available?

One of the best parts of buying instant digital cards is the huge variety of brands available. Whether you’re buying for an eclectic team, a global audience, or a particularly client, you've got options. 

For example, here are some of the popular choices in the Giftbit global gift card catalog, along with tips on how/when to use them as digital incentives:

💌 Automatic Amazon eGift card delivery

Amazon gift cards are definitely gold standard for flexibility and reach. Instant Amazon eGift Card work well for almost any incentive—employee rewards, customer appreciation, research incentives, or last-minute birthdays. It covers millions of products, includes fast online shopping, and appeals to nearly everyone.

Senders love it for its reliability and universal appeal; recipients love it because it’s easy to redeem and use instantly for anything from electronics to books to groceries.

👉 Sending Amazon gift cards to a global audience? Make sure you understand how to use Amazon gift cards for international incentive audiences. 

💌 Automatic Apple Gift card delivery

Perfect for techies and creative professionals, instant Apple gift cards opens up the world of iTunes, the App Store, Apple Music, hardware, and more. They're especially great for employee wellness, spot recognition, and high-value referral incentives.

Recipients receive an instant email delivery, linking them to premium apps, music, and all things Apple. It feels modern and personalized for those in your community who love tech.

💌 Automatic Virtual Visa prepaid card delivery

Visa virtual cards offer the ultimate flexibility. Your recipient can spend it almost anywhere—online or in-store—wherever Visa is accepted.

Use these for research participation rewards, customer onboarding incentives, or any program with a broad, global audience. These are also popular for social outreach and research programs where participants may be un-banked. 

💌 Automatic Kroger eGift card delivery

Grocery gift card incentives like Kroger eGift Card instant delivery are fantastic for wellness programs, employee care, or customer appreciation during tough economic times. They're useful, thoughtful, and always relevant.

This can be a highly practical reward because it'll let recipients shop for everyday items like groceries and home goods, right after getting it. 

The same is true for gas gift cards. 

💬 "Everyone knows the pain of filling up your tank and seeing that number grow and grow and grow," says Giftbit CCO Nat Salvione.  "Knowing that you have a gift card to help alleviate that is a great ‘feel good’ moment."

💌 Automatic Starbucks eGift card delivery

Meanwhile, coffee gift cards are a lovely way to treat your recipients to a little me time.

💬 "You’re inviting someone to take a break, enjoy a treat, and step away from stress," says Giftbit Director of Business Development Matt Brossard. "Even with prices going up, it still feels like 'coffee’s on me.'”

They work particularly well for rewards where you want to send a smaller value, while still having a big impact. 

For team appreciation, remote meetings, or company milestones, Starbucks eGift card instant delivery is always a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for energizing remote teams with coffee breaks or celebrating small wins.

These are also ideal for event attendees or as social media contest prizes. A quick cup of coffee goes a long way in spreading positivity.

💌 Tim Hortons eGift card instant delivery

Similarly, sending a Tim Hortons eGift card offers instant delight for Canadian teams who love a good cup of coffee. Instant delivery means your recipient can swing by the nearest location and enjoy a drink or snack right away.

#6: Can I send an instant gift card directly to someone else?

Absolutely. With the right distributor, you can send digital gift cards instantly to anyone on your list—whether they’re in the next cubicle over or across the world.

Indeed, cross-border delivery is a major benefit of gift card distribution in general. Options like instant UK gift card delivery and support for sending rewards throughout Asia, Latin America, and beyond all mean that the sky is virtually the limit. 

Assuming that your distributor supports global sending and has a robust global catalog, then all you should need to send someone a gift card is their email addy or cell numbers. And like we covered above, even without that contact info, you've still got options. 

#7: How does the recipient use the card?

So far we've mostly focused on how to send a gift card instantly. But what about ensuring your recipients can use it instantly? 

Using a digital gift card should be quick, intuitive, and stress-free. But that's not always the case. Some gift card companies might require your recipients to provide seemingly endless info or even download a separate app to access their cards. Believe it or not, some will even add friction to this process for your recipients, because they make money if their cards go unclaimed and unused. 😡

So be sure to find a provider that takes recipient experience seriously, making it extremely easy to redeem rewards and use them both online and in-store.

💬 "Smooth activation matters," says Leif Baradoy, Giftbit CEO. "Managing global rewards programs can be tricky. If your recipients have to jump through hoops to redeem their cards in their own region, that leads to frustration and user fatigue. We’re focused on a seamless cardholder experience." 

For online shopping, your recipients will simply enter the code or card details at checkout. In-store, they can simply present the barcode or card number from your phone at the register.

Some cards can be saved to digital wallets for even swifter payment, while others are scanned directly from your device. The variety of brands means you can shop for items, download apps, grab your morning coffee, or redeem your gift straight away.

A partner that prioritizes a smooth customer experience ensures high redemption rates and keeps your audience coming back for more.

 🥧 Make life easy as pie for your recipients. 

For fast, simple redemption, look for:
•Low-friction claim steps eliminate confusion and reduce service delivery failure
•A distributor that takes an active role in your program health, no matter

#8: Is there a fee to buy or send a digital gift card?

For Giftbit clients, there are no fees or minimums for account setup, sending, or support. If you add $50 to your account, you can send $50 in gift cards and prepaid cards, period. 

In fact, bulk discounts and revenue sharing are available, so you might even pay less (reach out to Matt to learn more). 

Giftbit also has no sending volume requirements, and provides the same features and dedicated support to programs of all sizes, including the smallest on the roster. 

Of course, this is not true for every distributor. In fact, the industry has historically been pretty cagey about spreads and revenue. 

That's why transparent pricing is key for any gift card program. Make sure you only pay for the value of the cards you send, that there are never hidden costs for standard digital delivery, and that you have full insight into your program through detailed gift card tracking and reporting.

Note that delivery of physical prepaid cards (like Visa cards) naturally comes with a fee—either paid by you or the recipient, depending on the card type and delivery method. Be sure to review your provider’s options and pricing structure before you buy.

#9: Can I add a message or personalize to an instant reward?

Just because you're sending an instant reward doesn't mean it has to be cold and impersonal. Depending on your platform, you should be able to add a personalized message along with other customizations. 

Indeed, good personalization and branding can transform a standard reward into something truly memorable. Gift card customization options usually include:

• Template title
• Email subject
• Header image
• Message body (custom message)
• Expiry date
• Value
• Brand selection

#10: Is it safe and secure to send gift cards digitally?

Digital gifting can very safe, assuming you're working with a reputable provider. Look for features like SOC 2 compliance, two-factor authentication (2FA), and minimal storage of sensitive recipient data.

A lot of this simply comes down to how seriously the provider takes your program. 

💬 "SOC 2 wasn’t a box to check," says Giftbit Chief Product Officer Bryan Dwyer. "It was a way to help our customers gain confidence and get started faster. We’d already built security into our stack: encrypted traffic, secure identifiers, AWS controls, encrypted-at-rest data, and a strong culture of least-privilege design."

Make sure your partner practices these security measures and has a culture of safety, even for smaller programs. This is what will keep you and your recipients safe. 

💬 "We don’t just protect our own systems, we help you protect yours," says Bryan. "When customers set up a rewards program, we advise on security best practices: how links are stored, where emails go, where risk can creep in. That guidance helps our customers protect data they didn’t even realize was vulnerable."

#11: What payment methods are accepted?

Most modern providers accept a wide array of payment methods to fund your rewards program. 

At Giftbit, we accept free funding via bank wire, electronic funds transfer (EFT), and direct debit.

We also accept all major credit cards—add your details and pay as you go, or make lump sum payments inside the app

Auto-funding and custom funding options are also available, so be sure to reach out for more details.   

This flexibility means you can match your payment approach to your organization’s workflow and budget cycles, ensuring rewards are always available when you need them.

#12: Can the card be used in-store and online?

Yes—most egift cards (from Amazon, Visa, Apple, and hundreds more) are redeemable both online and in physical store locations, depending on the brand and local acceptance.

💬 "We’ve taken all the friction out," says Nat. "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. Give your recipient a Visa, and they can go spend it, right away."

Ultimately, it should be just as easy to use your card waiting in line at the register as it is to shop online. Some providers may require recipients to jump through extra hoops or download a separate app, so look for one that keeps things simple and efficient.

#13: What if the recipient doesn’t receive it?

This is a crucial question, because far too many providers will leave you in the dark if something goes wrong. 😱

So be sure to find a platform that provides access to real-time reporting to see who received, opened, or redeemed their reward—and who didn’t. 

Then, if a card isn’t claimed, you can resend it or reassign it. 

Like we've covered, many companies purposely build in friction to maximize their “breakage” revenue—the unredeemed value of cards. This tactic is short-sighted: if your audience can’t claim their rewards, your ROI suffers, and engagement drops.

💬 "We fundamentally disagree with this tactic, because it's bad for the long term success of the program," says Nat. "At Giftbit we do not optimize for breakage, and we take special care that the recipient experience is smooth and effective."

To help your program run smoothly, keep these common mistakes in mind and see how to avoid them.

Table 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid with Instant Gift Card Delivery

#14: What are the benefits of instant gift card delivery?

Perhaps by this point, the benefits of instant gift card delivery are self-evident. But just in case, here are just some of the advantages that digital rewards offer to both senders and recipients:

• Convenience: Send and redeem without waiting or extra steps—no stamps, shipping, or in-person handoffs needed.
• Speed: Rewards are delivered right after participation, creating a clear connection between action and incentive.
• Flexibility: Choose from nearly any brand, denomination, or delivery format. Let recipients pick what matters to them.
• Accessibility: Global instant delivery, in your preferred currency, enables rewards for remote teams, international customers, and survey respondents worldwide.
• Cost savings: No shipping, lost cards, or fulfillment headaches. Track ROI with clear reporting and enjoy bulk discounts for large programs.
• Sustainability: Paperless, eco-friendly alternatives help reduce your carbon footprint and eliminate plastic waste. Instant digital gift card delivery fits into any green initiative.🌎

The impact? Higher satisfaction, improved engagement, and a reputation for thoughtful, timely recognition. Ultimately, purchasing, sending, and redeeming a digital gift card should only take a few minutes, whether it's a one-off thank-you or part of a complex rewards program.

Giftbit makes instant gift card delivery easy and affordable. Reach out to learn about revenue sharing or complex integrations, or to ask any other questions you might have.