Gift cards are wonderful alternatives to cash, particularly in the USA. This option can give your recipient the best shopping experience. However, there are various kinds of gift cards available in the marketplace. These gift cards in the USA have respective features that distinguish one from the other.
Understanding how gift cards work can help you find the one you want. They are easy, time-saving, and convenient to use. According to a survey, The United States represents approximately 28% of the global gift card market, with a value of $275.6 billion.
This article will discuss the different types of popular gift cards in the USA and how they are the best gifts for your loved ones. Let’s get started.
Retail Gift Cards
Retail gift cards are customized cards a company designs for customers to access products at discounted prices. These cards come up with the company’s logo or seal to identify the company that owns the gift card. A few retail gift card insights have been suggested below.
Amazon
Amazon is considered a top gift card seller in the USA. Amazon sells gift cards in stores at many national and regional retailers. Depending on the selection at that particular store, these can be available in fixed or custom price dominations.
If you prefer digital gifts, Buying Amazon cards online is easy. Just go to Amazon’s gift card page and select your desired type. Amazon gift cards can be used to purchase various items, including books, household items, gadgets, clothing, etc.
Walmart
Many in the USA also widely admire Walmart gift cards because they are budget-friendly. They are also perfectly versatile and convenient for gifting or personal use. You can purchase Walmart gift cards at Walmart stores, on their website, and elsewhere.
Target
Another retailer gift card worth mentioning is Target. You can use or give Target gift cards to treat yourself or someone special. With this gift card, you can buy clothing, accessories, footwear, cosmetics, music, electronic items, toys, and more from a vast selection of men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothing, accessories, footwear, and more. Target gift cards can be purchased in-store or online.
Macy’s
In the USA, another popular gift card choice is Macy’s. These are usually closed-loop retailer gift cards, meaning they can only be used at Macy’s stores or its website. You can give them as gifts to your recipient, and they can purchase almost anything with them.
Best Buy
According to PayPal’s survey, with more than 1,400 U.S. locations, 70 percent of the United States population lives within 15 minutes of a Best Buy store. Best Buy is a popular brand name that offers consumer electronics, appliances, videos and games, TV and Home theatre services, etc. If you are thinking of giving a gift card to someone special, a Best Buy gift card can be another convenient option for you.
Benefits of giving and receiving retail gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| It’s convenient and easily available at the store or online, so the giver doesn’t have to go through much hassles. | As gift cards provide flexibility, the recipient can get whatever they like according to their preferences. |
| By giving a retail gift card to someone, the giver can avoid the risk of getting a gift that the recipient won’t like. | The retail gift card may encourage the giftee to explore or try something new, making shopping fun. |
| It also offers versatility, which means the recipient can get exactly what they like and enjoy. | |
| You can avoid overspending by tailoring the gift card according to your budget. |
Restaurant Gift Cards
If you have someone special in your life who is a great food enthusiast, you can give them restaurant gift cards. Whether it’s their birthday, graduation party, or other memorable day, you can opt for a restaurant gift card and make their day with it. But there are plenty of restaurant gift cards available in the market. A few gift card suggestions have been listed below to give you ideas.
Starbucks
No matter what the occasion, Starbucks can offer you or your recipient delightful special treats. Such as premium coffee, tea, lunch, pastries, and more. Various flexible Starbucks gift cards are available. Go to the website and choose the card that best suits your preferences.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is known for its quality, fast food, and fast service. If you want to impress your foodie partner or friend with a restaurant gift card, McDonald’s can be your go-to place for gift cards. Whether the purpose of the order is personal or bulk, they can provide both.
The gift card is available on the app, website, and other places. You can tailor it to your budget for giving as a gift, and the digital gift card will be sent to the receiver by email.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden gift cards are pretty famous in the USA. Unlike other brands, Olive Garden gift cards can be used for more than one restaurant. The restaurants may include:
- LongHorn Steakhouse
- Bahama Breeze
- The Capital Grille
- Yard House
- Eddie V’s
- Season 52
The parent company, Darden, owns these restaurants and Olive Garden. You can purchase this gift card directly from the brand or third-party vendors. The gift cards (both physical and digital) are sold on the main company’s website and the Olive Garden Website. Surprise your giftee with this gift card and let them enjoy their meal. After all, food is equal to happiness.
Chipotle
Another restaurant gift card option is Chipotle. It offers delicious Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients. Chipotle gift cards are perfect presents for any occasion, including birthdays, graduations, and holidays. Your recipient can explore their menu and try new items. This unique gift card is available online and in-store.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers a variety of freshly baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and soups. It is known for its commitment to quality ingredients and artisan craftsmanship and provides an inviting atmosphere for dining in or taking away.
The Panera Bread digital gift card lets recipients conveniently enjoy their favorite menu items. This e-gift card can be used to explore the diverse offerings available at Panera Bread locations. Whether a hearty soup or a delectable pastry, the online voucher ensures easy access to all Panera Bread offers.
Benefits of giving and receiving restaurant gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| The restaurant gift card is thoughtful, reminding the giftee that the giver wanted to offer the experience over anything else. | It lets the recipient discover new places, encourages them to step outside their comfort zone, and allows them to indulge in a delicious meal. |
| It’s easy, convenient, and also a fantastic last-minute gift. | It helps the recipient take the pressure off choosing where to eat. |
Entertainment Gift Cards
If the giftee is into cinema blockbusters, music, or podcasts, you can give them entertainment gift cards. There are various kinds.
You can choose a theme and curate the gift card accordingly. Let’s dive into some fun and convenient entertainment gift cards. Check out the suggestions below.
Netflix
Netflix is well-known worldwide for its massive catalog of movies, shows, documentaries, and other curated video content. If your recipient loves to watch movies and series, a Netflix gift card will allow them to watch as much as they want and whenever they want.
Whether it’s your family, friends, or special ones, you can buy this gift card and send them the code.
Spotify
Spotify gift card is a wonderful gift for music lovers. If your recipient enjoys listening to music, you can give them this gift card for unlimited music and entertainment. The gift card is available in various denominations.
You can choose the amount that best fits your budget, and your recipient can use the card to subscribe to Spotify Premium. It’s convenient and easy to use and gives access to various audio content. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres is the guest experience leader, with 344 locations and 4,959 screens, primarily in the United States. An AMC Theatre gift card can be a great choice if you want to surprise your loved ones during festive occasions.
You can simply buy the gift card, which will be emailed to your recipient. AMC Gift Cards are good for both movies and concessions and reloadable at any United States theatre.
Fandango
Another entertainment gift card for your recipient is Fandango. Fandango is simply a movie ticket. Your recipient can use this gift card to purchase tickets to their favorite theatres in advance.
It can be redeemed via the Fandango website and mobile apps to help your loved ones avoid waiting in long lines at the theatre.
Benefits of giving and receiving entertainment gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| If your recipient is hard to please and you are not certain what they might like, the entertainment gift card can allow them to enjoy whatever they want. | It lets the recipient enjoy anything as much as they want because of unlimited content and constant availability. |
| The entertainment gift card is usually budget-friendly, meaning the giver can avoid overspending. | The recipient can enjoy this gift card with their friends, family, and special ones, giving them a shared experience. |
Experience Gift Cards
If you are thinking outside the box and want to surprise your recipient with something unique, the experience gift cards can be the best present. Also, an experience gift card can be more memorable than a physical item.
The receiver can make memories or gain a new skill through it. A few creative experience gift card suggestions have been listed below.
Airbnb
If your friend or special one is a travel enthusiast, Airbnb gift cards can be a special treat for them. With this card, your recipient can book unique places to stay from local hosts worldwide.
Also, Airbnb gift cards don’t expire, which makes them a great gift for any occasion. Let them celebrate holidays, recognize important moments, and inspire travel. To buy this gift card, you can visit their official website.
StubHub
You can buy a Stubhub gift card for concerts, sports, and theatre tickets. After you complete your order, the gift card will be delivered to your recipient via a web link.
Your recipient can redeem the gift card to choose their entertainment, and it will also help them place orders much faster.
SpaFinder
Spafinder gift cards are a wonderful present for someone going through a difficult time in their life. Whether it’s you or your loved one, this spa service gift can help with relaxation and self-care.
The flexibility of the gift card allows the recipient to choose a spa service that best suits their needs, making it a thoughtful gift.
Groupon
Groupon’s daily deals feature the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in hundreds of cities worldwide. Whether it’s half off at a neighborhood restaurant or 90% off a hot air balloon ride, customers get twice the fun for half the price.
You can easily explore your city with a Groupon gift card, valid for immediate use on any excellent Groupon deal that catches your fancy.
Benefits of giving and receiving experience gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| This is a gift of lasting memories because of the personalized touch. | It gives the recipient an unforgettable experience. |
| Memories from experience help create a special bond between the giver and the receiver. | It boosts the recipient’s personal growth and sparks joy and excitement. |
Travel Gift Cards
The best gift of all is a gift that can give the best experience. A travel gift card lets the recipient create the vacation of their dreams. Below, we have rounded up some of the best travel gift cards for you.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest is known for offering booking flexibility with no hidden costs, and the airline consistently ranks on our World’s Best Domestic Airlines list.
If you’ve got a friend or family member looking to plan their dream trip, buy them Southwest Airlines gift cards and let them enjoy their journey to the fullest.
Airbnb
If you are planning a long trip, Airbnb can be a great choice for a travel gift card. It will help you select your unique apartment or home anywhere in the world while reducing the trip’s overall cost.
Also, if you are giving it as a gift to someone special in your life, you can get the Airbnb gift card directly from shops or online. Moreover, Airbnb gift cards don’t expire. But you should check out the terms and conditions provided by them.
Uber
Another gift card you can count on is Uber. Whether it’s for you, your friend, or your loved ones, an Uber gift card can be a great gift.
Uber gift cards are not only limited to food deliveries; they also offer rides. Add value to the Uber Ride account and let them know you care about them.
Delta Air Lines
The Delta gift card opens up a world of possibilities. It offers over 300 destinations and limitless adventures.
It’s a perfect gift for someone who is a great travel enthusiast. You can have it delivered to your recipient’s inbox or mailbox in time to celebrate.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com Gift Cards are the perfect gift for any occasion. You can choose from over 150,000 hotels, including major chains, resorts, and boutiques, in over 200 countries.
The Hotels.com gift cards also don’t have expiration dates or fees and can be used to pay for any or all of your stay. If you book, you can also earn Hotels.com Rewards. Collect 10 nights and get 1 free.
Benefits of giving and receiving travel gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| Whether you want to buy it from the store or online, the travel gift card is convenient and easy to purchase. | The recipient has the freedom to choose what they want. |
| The giver doesn’t have to guess what the recipient wants; the gift card can mitigate the problem. | The travel gift card can create lasting and memorable experiences. |
Specialty Store Gift Cards
Specialty gift cards are a targeted way to let someone know that you care about their hobbies and passions and would like to support them.
If your friend loves cooking, imagine him getting a gift card to a kitchenware store and embracing a delightful experience. A few specialty store gift cards have been suggested below.
Home Depot
The Home Depot helps the recipient do more with their time and money and makes shopping for home improvement easier than ever. This gift card can be redeemed at the store or online.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers everything from power tools and appliances to lighting and home décor. The Lowe’s eGift Card can help start any home project, large or small.
REI
When you’re uncertain about what to give your adventurous, outdoor-loving friend or family member, an REI Gift Card is an excellent choice.
These gift cards allow the recipient to choose exactly what they want from REI’s extensive inventory of outdoor gear and apparel.
Benefits of giving and receiving specialty store gift cards
| Benefits of Giving | Benefits of Receiving |
| These gift cards are budget-friendly and readily available in-store and online. | These gift cards introduce the recipient to new things they haven’t tried before. |
Conclusion
Over 41% of Americans in the USA use gift cards. One thing is for sure: these gift cards are here for a good time.
As the world becomes digitalized daily, it’s important for you to get acquainted with them. They are not only a convenient method to pay for items but also a cost-effective method of shopping.
Whether it’s retail gift cards, restaurant gift cards, entertainment gift cards, experience gift cards, travel gift cards, specialty gift cards, or something else, they are all popular and have unique features. Most importantly, they are beneficial in many ways.
Gift cards have become an ideal gift option for many Americans because of their versatility, convenience, and usefulness. Now, it’s your turn to decide which card is appropriate for you or your giftee.
FAQ
Can restaurant gift cards be used for online orders?
Yes, you can use restaurant gift cards for online orders. But it’s important to read the restaurant’s guidelines before purchasing anything.
How do entertainment gift cards work for streaming services like Netflix and Spotify?
Simply put, proceed to the payment, enter the code you received, and then enjoy.
Are travel gift cards restricted to specific airlines or hotels?
Yes, depending on the specific airlines and hotels, travel gift cards can have limitations. The necessary information can be found on the website or in the terms and conditions imprinted on the card.
Are experience gift cards refundable if I can’t use them?
No, experience gift cards are not refundable if you can’t use them because they function like a prepaid service.
