Digital Gift Cards for Gastro and Services

Digital gift cards allow customers to purchase prepaid credit at your business and gift it to someone else. With the VEXiON cards solution, you don't need plastic cards or complex systems. The customer fills out the form online, pays at your business, and the recipient receives the card directly into Apple Wallet or Google Pay via SMS within seconds.

• Zero startup costs (no plastic cards)
• Activation in 15 minutes on the dashboard
• Delivery via SMS directly to mobile
• Automatic bonuses for higher amounts
• Valid for up to 24 months

What Are Gift Cards and Why Do You Need Them?

A gift card is prepaid credit that someone buys at your business and gifts to someone else. The recipient then comes to you and spends the credit. It's as if someone paid you today for services you'll provide in a few weeks or months. You have the money right away, and you gain the customer later.

The gift card market is growing at a tremendous pace. In 2024, it reached $493 billion globally, and for 2025, a rise to $583 billion is expected (growth of 18.3%). Digital cards are growing even faster, at 17.1% annually. Customers increasingly prefer digital solutions over plastic cards.

Why Do People Buy Gift Cards?

There are five main reasons why gift cards are so popular. The first is the convenience of last-minute gifting. The second is the freedom of choice for the recipient, who selects what they want. The third is gifting experiences instead of things, especially valid for restaurants, wellness, and services. The fourth is corporate use for employee and client rewards. The fifth is safety, as gift cards are safer than cash.

Key takeaway

• The gift card market is growing at 18.3% annually

• Digital cards are preferred over plastic ones

• Main opportunities: holidays, birthdays, corporate use

VEXiON cards Gift Cards: How It Works?

VEXiON cards offer a fully digital gift card solution that eliminates all traditional problems. No plastic cards, no inventory, no complex systems. Everything happens via smartphone and your existing devices.

Solution Philosophy

The whole system is based on the principle of "online form + personal payment." The customer fills out the data online but pays in person at your business. This solution is ideal for businesses where people prefer cash or card payment on-site. No payment gateways, no online transaction fees, no fraud risk.

Five Phases of the Process

Phase 1: Configuration (one-time setup)

In the VEXiON cards dashboard, set the basic parameters of your gift program. Choose default amounts like 25, 50, 100, and 150 euros. Decide whether to offer bonuses, such as when purchasing 100 euros, the recipient gets 110 euros. Set card validity, typically 12 months. Allow partial use so the customer can use the card on multiple visits. The whole setup takes 15 minutes.

Phase 2: Customer Purchase

The customer scans a QR code at your business or opens a link from your website or social networks. They fill out a simple form, entering their name and email, the name and phone number of the recipient, selecting the amount, and writing a personal message. The form does not include online payment, only data entry.

Phase 3: Confirmation at Business

The customer comes to you with the QR code on their mobile. Your staff scans the code, and all purchase data appears on the screen. After verification, the customer pays in any way you accept. The staff clicks "Confirm Payment," and the system automatically creates the gift card. The QR code is valid for 30 minutes after form submission, preventing misuse.

Phase 4: Delivery to Recipient

After payment confirmation, the buyer receives an email with a PDF gift card and a button to "Send to Recipient." Clicking the button sends an SMS message directly to the recipient's phone. The message includes the giver's name, the amount, and an activation link. The SMS arrives instantly, not days like with mail. If the buyer prefers a physical form, they can print the PDF and gift it personally.

Phase 5: Activation and Use

The recipient clicks the link in the SMS and accesses the activation page. They see who bought them the gift, the amount they received, and a personal message. By clicking, the card automatically adds to Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Upon visiting your business, they open the wallet on their mobile, staff scans the barcode, and the system shows the balance. After payment, the balance updates automatically.

Key takeaway

• The whole process from purchase to delivery takes about 10 minutes

• The customer pays in person, not online (safety, no fees)

• The recipient receives the card on their mobile via SMS

Bonus System: Encourage Higher Purchases

One of the strongest features of VEXiON cards gift cards is the flexible bonus system. You can set that when buying a gift card for a certain amount, the recipient gets an extra bonus.

Bonus Setup Examples

Restaurant Bella adjusted the value of gift cards to motivate customers to choose higher packages. The greater the card value, the bigger the bonus the customer receives. For a card worth €50, the customer receives €55, i.e., 10% extra. For a €100 card, they receive €112, which equates to a 12% bonus. For a card worth €150, they receive €171, i.e., 14% extra. The most advantageous is the €200 card, where the customer pays €200 but receives credit worth €240, meaning up to a 20% bonus. Thanks to this structure, it's beneficial to opt for higher value, as with each step, the reward increases.

This structure motivates customers to purchase higher values. You pay the bonus from the higher margin you still earn from a larger purchase. The customer feels they got a good deal, the recipient feels special, and you have higher turnover.

Psychology of Bonuses

The bonus acts as an emotional amplifier. Buyers feel like generous donors because they gifted "more." The recipient sees the higher amount on the card and feels the greater value of the gift. Both have a positive experience associated with your business.

Key takeaway

• Bonuses encourage purchases of higher values

• The 10-20% bonus structure is optimal

• The bonus increases perceived value of the gift

10 Reasons to Offer Gift Cards

1. Immediate Cashflow

The customer pays 100 euros today, the recipient comes in two months. You have money immediately for operations, inventory, wages, or marketing. The average time from sale to gift card use is 2-3 months.

2. New Customers for Free

Your regular customer Maria buys a gift card for her friend Anna. Anna comes to you for the first time. Statistics show that 72% of gift card recipients visit a business for the first time. Of these, 40% become regular customers. Each gift card is a potentially new regular customer.

3. Customers Spend More

When someone pays with a gift card, they don't feel like they're spending their own money. It's "gifted," so they afford more. On average, customers with a gift card spend 38% more than the card's value. A card worth 100 euros brings a turnover of 138 euros.

4. Predictable Income

You know you sold gift cards worth 5,000 euros in December. You know these cards will be used over the next six months. You can better plan inventory, staff, and marketing.

5. Marketing Power

Each gift card is an advertisement. The recipient sees your logo and name on their mobile. They show it to friends. Share on social media. It's word-of-mouth marketing that costs nothing.

6. Competitive Advantage

Most small businesses in Slovakia don't offer gift cards. If you do, you look more professional and modern. Customers seek you out precisely because you offer this option.

7. Unused Cards Are Pure Profit

Statistics show that 10-19% of gift cards are never fully utilized. These unused balances are pure profit without costs for you. Selling 500 cards at 100 euros is a potential 5,000-9,500 euros of pure profit.

8. Lower Transaction Fees

Paying by card incurs a 2-3% fee on each transaction. A gift card means you pay the fee only once at sale, not at each use. If a customer uses a card on three visits, you save two fees.

9. Corporate Customers

Companies buy gift cards for employees as rewards, Christmas gifts, or motivational benefits. A local IT company purchases 50 cards at 50 euros (2,500 euros at once) for its staff. It's a bulk sale and 50 new potential customers.

10. Valuable Data

In the dashboard, you see which amounts are most popular, when people buy most, how quickly cards are used, and behavioral patterns. You use this information to optimize offerings and marketing.

Key takeaway

• Gift cards generate immediate cashflow

• 72% of recipients are new customers

• Customers spend 38% more than the value of the card

VEXiON cards vs Traditional Plastic Cards

Traditional plastic cards require design, production, minimum orders of 500-1,000 pieces, storage, manual records, and regular inventory checks. With VEXiON cards, this all disappears. Activate the function in the dashboard and you can start selling immediately.

Key takeaway

• Digital solution eliminates all costs for plastic cards

• Startup in 15 minutes vs weeks of waiting

• Automatic management vs manual records

Seasonal Opportunities: When to Sell the Most

Christmas Season (November-December)

This is the golden period for gift cards. Up to 45% of annual gift card sales occur during this time. People are looking for practical gifts that delight. A gift card to a favorite restaurant, cafe, or salon is a perfect choice.

Campaign Tip: "Give an experience, not a thing. Gift card with a 10% bonus."

Valentine's Day (February)

Romantic dinner, wellness treatment, shared experience. Gift cards are ideal for couples. Promote "Gift card for two" with higher value.

Mother's / Father's Day (May / June)

Traditional holidays where children look for gifts for parents. Wellness, restaurants, cafes are popular choices.

Graduation Season (June)

End of school, graduations, celebrations. Young people receive gift cards from family.

Corporate Season (December, end of quarters)

Companies buy gift cards for employees. Christmas rewards, quarterly bonuses, performance recognitions.

Key takeaway

• Christmas = 45% of annual gift card sales

• Valentine's Day, Mother's/Father's Day are strong opportunities

• Corporate clients buy in bulk

How to Start: 48-Hour Plan

Day 1: Preparation and Setup

Morning (30 minutes) Log into the VEXiON cards dashboard. Go to the Gift Cards section. Set default amounts based on your business. For a cafe: 15, 25, 40 euros. For a restaurant: 30, 50, 100 euros. For wellness: 50, 100, 150 euros.

Decide on bonuses. For a start, we recommend a simple 10% bonus on all amounts. Set validity to 12 months and allow partial use.

Afternoon (1 hour) Create marketing materials. Download the QR code from the dashboard. Print a simple poster for the counter. Prepare a social media post. Inform staff about the new feature.

Day 2: Launch

Morning (30 minutes) Short staff training. Show them how QR code scanning works from the customer. Explain what appears on the screen after scanning. Practice confirmation of payment.

Afternoon Publish on social media. Place the QR code in a visible spot. Start actively offering gift cards to customers.

Key takeaway

• The whole setup can be completed in 48 hours

• Staff training takes 30 minutes

• Active promotion is crucial for success

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much do digital gift cards cost?

Gift cards are part of the standard VEXiON cards subscription (41-45 euros monthly). No additional fees for card creation or delivery.

Do I pay for gift cards online?

No. You fill out the form online but pay in person at the business. This is safer and eliminates fees for online payments.

How quickly does the recipient get the card?

The SMS with the activation link arrives within seconds after payment confirmation at the business.

Can I print the card and gift it personally?

Yes. After payment confirmation, you receive an email with a PDF gift card that you can print.

What if the recipient doesn't have a smartphone?

Print the PDF version of the card. The recipient can show a printed QR code when redeeming credit.

Can I set different bonuses for different amounts?

Yes. You set individual bonuses for each default amount in the dashboard.

How long is the gift card valid?

Standard is 12 months, but you can set it to six months, 24 months, or custom validity.

Can the customer use the card for more visits?

Yes, if you have allowed partial use. The balance updates automatically in the customer's mobile.

Can I see in the dashboard how many cards are sold?

Yes. The dashboard shows all sales, usage, balances, and statistics in real-time.

Does it work with my cash register?

VEXiON works automatically with Dotykačka, OBERON, and Storyous POS. For other registers, use the mobile scanner or web application.

Can I offer gift cards and loyalty cards simultaneously?

Yes. Gift cards are a standalone feature that functions alongside your existing loyalty program.

Is it compliant with GDPR?

Yes. VEXiON complies with all GDPR requirements. Data is encrypted and stored in the EU.

Conclusion: Don't Miss the Opportunity

The gift card market is growing at 18.3% annually and is moving toward digital. Customers expect modern solutions. If you don't offer them, your competition will.

With VEXiON cards, you remove all traditional barriers to gift cards. No initial costs. No stock on hand. No technical complexity. You activate it in 15 minutes and start selling immediately.

The Christmas season is approaching. Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, graduation season follow. Every day without gift cards is a missed opportunity for new revenue and new customers.

Contact us today: 📧 jakub@vexioncards.one 📱 +421 948 777 490

We'll gladly show you a demo, answer questions, and help launch gift cards tailored for your business.