Skip to content
Payments

How to Send Gift Cards

Learn how to send digital gift cards without payment for loyalty rewards, customer support, promotions, or testing—delivered via email, SMS, or QR code.

5 min read1,143 words15 explained imagesUpdated Thu, 14 May at 9:50 AM
View as markdownOpen in ClaudeOpen in ChatGPT
Each image has a one line explanation. Switch to full detail for the step it belongs to, the fields and buttons involved, examples and the whole procedure.
On this page
  1. Key Benefits of Sending Gift Cards
  2. Use Cases for Sending Gift Cards
  3. Prerequisites for Sending Gift Cards
  4. How to Send a Gift Card
  5. Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card
  6. Step 2: Choose a Customer/Contact
  7. Step 3: Add a Personal Message
  8. Step 4: Select a Denomination
  9. Step 5: Choose Delivery Method
  10. Step 6: Choose Delivery Date
  11. Step 7: Review & Send
  12. Delivery Methods Explained
  13. Email
  14. SMS
  15. PDF (via Email)
  16. QR Code (via Email)
  17. What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent
  18. Key Behaviors & Limitations
  19. Frequently Asked Questions
  20. Related Articles

Video 1 Open in a new tab

Sending Gift Cards is a powerful feature that allows businesses to issue gift cards directly to any customer—without requiring a purchase or payment. This article explains how to send gift cards directly to a recipient from GHL Customer Care. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Sending Gift Cards?

Sending a gift card creates a one-time, prepaid credit and delivers it to a chosen recipient via email, SMS, PDF, or QR code, without requiring the contact to purchase it. This is ideal for make-goods, loyalty gestures, VIP perks, and internal tests. Redemption happens on supported GHL Customer Care-powered checkouts where gift cards are accepted. The Send flow works exclusively in Live Mode currently, ensuring only real, fully functional gift cards are delivered.

Key Benefits of Sending Gift Cards

  • One-to-one issuing: send a gift card to a single recipient instantly or on a schedule.|

  • No checkout required: issue prepaid value without charging the recipient.

  • Flexible delivery: deliver via Email, SMS, PDF, or QR depending on your contact data and use case.

  • Frictionless redemption: recipients can redeem on supported checkouts with their code or link.

  • Operational visibility: track orders, code, amount, and status under Gift Card Orders.

  • Great for service recovery: compensate for support issues quickly and professionally.

Use Cases for Sending Gift Cards

Sending Gift Cards manually is ideal for:

  • Loyalty & Rewards: Reward customers for milestones, referrals, or premium plan renewals.
  • Customer Support Compensation: Issue a gift card instead of a manual credit or refund.
  • Promotions: Run giveaways, holiday gifting, influencer campaigns, or targeted perks.
  • Internal Testing: QA teams, admins, or developers can test redemption flows.
  • Bulk Manual Distribution: Gift VIP customers or event attendees a prepaid balance.

Prerequisites for Sending Gift Cards

Before sending a gift card, ensure:

  1. A Gift Card Product exists

  2. The Gift Card Product is Active (not Deactivated or Archived)

  3. The customer receiving the card has either:

    • An email address, or

    • A phone number (for SMS delivery)

How to Send a Gift Card

Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card

  1. Login to your sub-account.
  2. Go to Payments → Gift Cards.
    Step 2 of 4: Go to Payments → Gift Cards What this shows Step 2 of 4: Go to Payments → Gift Cards. What this shows Shows where to go for step 2 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you go to Payments → Gift Cards. For context, this section explains: Login to your sub-account. Go to Payments → Gift Cards. Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. The next step is to create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. Step 2 of 4Image 1 of 15 Where to goGo to Payments → Gift Cards.
    Buttons and menus referenced Payments → Gift Cards.Create a Gift Cardselect an existing Gift CardAll Gift CardsSend.
    Next stepCreate a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list.
    All 4 steps in this procedure
    1. Login to your sub-account.
    2. Go to Payments → Gift Cards. this image
    3. Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list.
    4. On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow.
  3. Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list.
    Step 3 of 4: Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift… What this shows Step 3 of 4: Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 3 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. The next step is to on the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. Step 3 of 4Image 2 of 15 What to chooseCreate a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list.
    Buttons and menus referenced Create a Gift Cardselect an existing Gift CardAll Gift CardsPayments → Gift Cards.Send.
    Next stepOn the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow.
    All 4 steps in this procedure
    1. Login to your sub-account.
    2. Go to Payments → Gift Cards.
    3. Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. this image
    4. On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow.
  4. On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow.
    Step 4 of 4: On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now… What this shows Step 4 of 4: On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. What this shows Shows what to fill in for step 4 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 4 in the "Step 1: Navigate to Gift Card" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you on the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. Step 4 of 4Image 3 of 15 What to fill inOn the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow.
    Buttons and menus referenced Send.Payments → Gift Cards.Create a Gift Cardselect an existing Gift CardAll Gift Cards
    All 4 steps in this procedure
    1. Login to your sub-account.
    2. Go to Payments → Gift Cards.
    3. Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list.
    4. On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. this image

Step 2: Choose a Customer/Contact

  1. Choose the recipient: Select an existing customer/contact from your list.
  2. or Add a Contact before sending.
  3. Click continue.
    Step 3 of 3: Click continue What this shows Step 3 of 3: Click continue. What this shows Shows what to click for step 3 of 3 in the "Step 2: Choose a Customer/Contact" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "Step 2: Choose a Customer/Contact" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you click continue. For context, this section explains: Choose the recipient: Select an existing customer/contact from your list. or Add a Contact before sending. Click continue. Step 3 of 3Image 4 of 15 What to clickClick continue.
    Buttons and menus referenced continueAdd a Contact
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Choose the recipient: Select an existing customer/contact from your list.
    2. or Add a Contact before sending.
    3. Click continue. this image

Step 3: Add a Personal Message

  • A custom greeting, special instructions, or a note of appreciation.
  • or a message from the pre-populated messages.
  • or a message generated using Write with AI.
  • Click continue.
    Step 4 of 4: Click continue What this shows Step 4 of 4: Click continue. What this shows Shows what to click for step 4 of 4 in the "Step 3: Add a Personal Message" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 4 in the "Step 3: Add a Personal Message" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you click continue. For context, this section explains: A custom greeting, special instructions, or a note of appreciation. or a message from the pre-populated messages. or a message generated using Write with AI. Click continue. Step 4 of 4Image 5 of 15 What to clickClick continue.
    Buttons and menus referenced continue.Write with AI.
    All 4 steps in this procedure
    1. A custom greeting, special instructions, or a note of appreciation.
    2. or a message from the pre-populated messages.
    3. or a message generated using Write with AI.
    4. Click continue. this image

Step 4: Select a Denomination

  1. Choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product.
    Step 1 of 1: Choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product What this shows Step 1 of 1: Choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 1 of 1 in the "Step 4: Select a Denomination" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 1 in the "Step 4: Select a Denomination" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product. Step 1 of 1Image 6 of 15 What to chooseChoose one of the preset denominations configured for the product.
    Buttons and menus referenced preset denominations

Step 5: Choose Delivery Method

Note: Only methods supported by the customer's available information (email/phone) will be enabled.

You can deliver the gift card through any one available methods:

  • Email

  • SMS

  • QR Code (via email)

  • PDF (via email)

Step 5: Choose Delivery Method (image 7 of 15) What this shows Email SMS QR Code (via email) PDF (via email) What this shows Illustrates the "Step 5: Choose Delivery Method" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "Step 5: Choose Delivery Method" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Email SMS QR Code (via email) PDF (via email). This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Note: A gift card's available delivery date range is determined by the card’s expiry settings. If the gift card has an expiry date, the delivery date must be between today’s date and the expiry date. If the gift card does not have an…. Image 7 of 15 What this coversEmail SMS QR Code (via email) PDF (via email)
Fields in this part of the guide EmailSMSQR Code (via email)PDF (via email)
Buttons and menus referenced customer's available informationEmailSMSQR Code (via email)PDF (via email)
Next stepNote: A gift card's available delivery date range is determined by the card’s expiry settings. If the gift card has an expiry date, the delivery date must be between today’s date and the expiry date. If the gift card does not have an expiry date, it can be scheduled for any future date.
Example values
Email
priya.raman@northgatedental.com

Illustrative values showing the expected format. They are not read from the screenshot.

All 4 steps in this procedure
  1. Email
  2. SMS
  3. QR Code (via email)
  4. PDF (via email)

Step 6: Choose Delivery Date

Note: A gift card's available delivery date range is determined by the card’s expiry settings. If the gift card has an expiry date, the delivery date must be between today’s date and the expiry date. If the gift card does not have an expiry date, it can be scheduled for any future date.

You can either:

  • Presets: Deliver immediately, tomorrow or after one week.

  • or schedule deliveryfor a Future Date.

  • Click continue.

    Step 3 of 3: Click continue What this shows Step 3 of 3: Click continue. What this shows Shows what to click for step 3 of 3 in the "Step 6: Choose Delivery Date" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This animation accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "Step 6: Choose Delivery Date" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you click continue. For context, this section explains: Note: A gift card's available delivery date range is determined by the card’s expiry settings. If the gift card has an expiry date, the delivery date must be between today’s date and the expiry date. If the gift card does not have an expiry date, it can be scheduled for any future date. Step 3 of 3Image 8 of 15 What to clickClick continue.
    Buttons and menus referenced continue.available delivery date rangecard’s expiry settingshas anexpiry datebetween today’s date and the expiry datedoes not have an expiry datescheduled for any future dateimmediately, tomorrowafter one week.dFuture Date.
    All 3 steps in this procedure
    1. Presets: Deliver immediately, tomorrow or after one week.
    2. or schedule d eliveryfor a Future Date.
    3. Click continue. this image

Step 7: Review & Send

  1. Before confirming, review the automatically generated email or SMS preview. This includes:
    • Gift Card Amount
    • Custom Message
    • Expiry Date
    • Redemption Instructions
    • Artwork
  2. Click Send Gift Card.
    Step 2 of 2: Click Send Gift Card What this shows Step 2 of 2: Click Send Gift Card. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 2 in the "Step 7: Review & Send" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This animation accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "Step 7: Review & Send" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". At this point in the walkthrough you click Send Gift Card. For context, this section explains: Before confirming, review the automatically generated email or SMS preview. This includes: Click Send Gift Card. This part of the guide covers 5 fields, listed below. Step 2 of 2Image 9 of 15 What to clickClick Send Gift Card.
    Fields in this part of the guide Gift Card AmountCustom MessageExpiry DateRedemption InstructionsArtwork
    Buttons and menus referenced Send Gift Card.review
    All 2 steps in this procedure
    1. Before confirming, review the automatically generated email or SMS preview. This includes:
    2. Click Send Gift Card. this image

Delivery Methods Explained

Email

  • Full visual gift card with artwork.
  • Includes expiry, balance, and redemption link.
  • Recommended for most cases.
Email (image 10 of 15) What this shows Full visual gift card with artwork. What this shows Illustrates the "Email" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "Email" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Full visual gift card with artwork. Includes expiry, balance, and redemption link. Recommended for most cases. Immediately after, the guide continues: Sends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting. Image 10 of 15 What this coversFull visual gift card with artwork. Includes expiry, balance, and redemption link. Recommended for most cases. Next stepSends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting.
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Full visual gift card with artwork.
  2. Includes expiry, balance, and redemption link.
  3. Recommended for most cases.

SMS

  • Sends a clean message with the gift card link.

  • Artwork not included due to SMS formatting.

SMS (image 11 of 15) What this shows Sends a clean message with the gift card link. What this shows Illustrates the "SMS" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "SMS" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Sends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting. Immediately after, the guide continues: Sends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events. Image 11 of 15 What this coversSends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting. Next stepSends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events.
All 2 steps in this procedure
  1. Sends a clean message with the gift card link.
  2. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting.

PDF (via Email)

  • Sends a downloadable printable PDF.

  • Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events.

PDF (via Email) (image 12 of 15) What this shows Sends a downloadable printable PDF. What this shows Illustrates the "PDF (via Email)" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "PDF (via Email)" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Sends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events. Immediately after, the guide continues: Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events. Image 12 of 15 What this coversSends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events. Next stepSends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events.
All 2 steps in this procedure
  1. Sends a downloadable printable PDF.
  2. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events.

QR Code (via Email)

  • Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card.

  • Useful for in-person gifting or events.

QR Code (via Email) (image 13 of 15) What this shows Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. What this shows Illustrates the "QR Code (via Email)" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This animation appears in the "QR Code (via Email)" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events. Immediately after, the guide continues: Once sent, the gift card appears under. Image 13 of 15 What this coversSends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events. Next stepOnce sent, the gift card appears under:
All 2 steps in this procedure
  1. Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card.
  2. Useful for in-person gifting or events.

What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent

Once sent, the gift card appears under:

Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders

What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent (image 14 of 15) What this shows Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders What this shows Illustrates the "What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders. This part of the guide covers 8 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: The Gift Card Order Details will contain. Image 14 of 15 What this coversPayments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders
Fields in this part of the guide Recipient detailsDelivery methodDelivery timestampDenominationExpiryRemaining balanceStatus: Scheduled, Active, InactiveHidden gift card code
Buttons and menus referenced Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders
Next stepThe Gift Card Order Details will contain:
All 8 steps in this procedure
  1. Recipient details
  2. Delivery method
  3. Delivery timestamp
  4. Denomination
  5. Expiry
  6. Remaining balance
  7. Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive
  8. Hidden gift card code

The Gift Card Order Details will contain:

  • Recipient details

  • Delivery method

  • Delivery timestamp

  • Denomination

  • Expiry

  • Remaining balance

  • Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive

  • Hidden gift card code

What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent (image 15 of 15) What this shows Recipient details Delivery method Delivery timestamp Denomination Expiry Remaining balance Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive Hidden gift… What this shows Illustrates the "What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". This screenshot appears in the "What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent" section of "How to Send Gift Cards". The text alongside this image reads: Recipient details Delivery method Delivery timestamp Denomination Expiry Remaining balance Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive Hidden gift card code. This part of the guide covers 8 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Send flow works only in Live Mode. You can send 1 gift card to 1 customer at a time. No payment is collected in the Send flow. Directly sent gift cards do not appear in Payments → Orders (no order, no transaction). Gift Cards issued via…. Image 15 of 15 What this coversRecipient details Delivery method Delivery timestamp Denomination Expiry Remaining balance Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive Hidden gift card code
Fields in this part of the guide Recipient detailsDelivery methodDelivery timestampDenominationExpiryRemaining balanceStatus: Scheduled, Active, InactiveHidden gift card code
Buttons and menus referenced Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders
Next stepSend flow works only in Live Mode. You can send 1 gift card to 1 customer at a time. No payment is collected in the Send flow. Directly sent gift cards do not appear in Payments → Orders (no order, no transaction). Gift Cards issued via Send are fully redeemable everywhere - both fully and partially. You must have the customer's email or phone number for delivery.
All 8 steps in this procedure
  1. Recipient details
  2. Delivery method
  3. Delivery timestamp
  4. Denomination
  5. Expiry
  6. Remaining balance
  7. Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive
  8. Hidden gift card code

Key Behaviors & Limitations

  • Send flow works only in Live Mode.

  • You can send 1 gift card to 1 customer at a time.

  • No payment is collected in the Send flow.

  • Directly sent gift cards do not appear in Payments → Orders (no order, no transaction).

  • Gift Cards issued via Send are fully redeemable everywhere - both fully and partially.

  • You must have the customer's email or phone number for delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will a scheduled gift card be delivered?

It will be delivered at 12:00 AM (midnight) on the selected delivery date.

Q: Can I send gift cards in Test Mode?

Not yet. Send flow supports Live Mode only. Test Mode support is coming in future releases.

Q: Why can’t I send a gift card to some customers?

The customer must have:

  • A valid email, or
  • A valid phone number

Otherwise, no delivery method is available.

Q: Can I send multiple gift cards at once?

Currently no. You can send one gift card to one customer per Send flow. Bulk sending is planned for future versions.

Q: Are sent gift cards redeemable everywhere?

Yes, on every checkout that supports Gift Card redemption, including:

  • Funnels
  • Forms
  • Invoices
  • Stores
  • Payment Links
  • Calendars (where products are supported)

Q: What happens to a scheduled gift card before the delivery time?
Until the scheduled delivery time, the gift card remains in a Scheduled state but is still active and valid for use.

Q: Can a scheduled gift card be used before its delivery time?
Yes. If someone has the gift card code and attempts to use it at checkout before the scheduled delivery time, it will work.

Q: Can I edit the email/SMS template before sending?

Templates are system-generated and currently not editable. Email & SMS template customization will be available later.

Q: Do sent gift cards appear under Orders in Payments?

No, only purchased gift cards appear under Payments → Orders. Sent cards appear exclusively under Gift Card Orders.

Q: Can I send a gift card anonymously?

Not yet. The recipient always sees the sender’s business information as configured in email/SMS templates.

Was this guide helpful?

Related guides

Getting Started with Gift Cards12 min read · 37 imagesHow to Track Gift Card Performance (Analytics & Metric Tracking)3 min read · 8 imagesHow to Sell Gift Cards11 min read · 38 imagesHow to Redeem Gift Cards for Business-Initiated Payments7 min read · 11 images