Gift cards have become a popular option for people to buy things, give thoughtful gifts, or manage their spending. The gift cards give flexibility and convenience for both gift card givers and receivers. You can use the gift cards for online shopping, gaming, or dining. This guide will cover everything you need to know about gift cards, from how they work to how you can collect them.

What Are Gift Cards?
A gift card is a prepaid card that comes with a specific amount of money, which can be used to make both online and offline purchases. For example, you can buy online Amazon Gift cards, and add the balance to your Amazon Pay Wallet. After that, use the wallet balance to pay for your orders.
Similarly, you can add a Google Play balance using Google Play gift cards or redeem codes. You can use Play Store balance to buy games, apps, movies, in-game items, and songs on the Play Store.
You can buy gift cards in different denominations, and there is a specific range of denominations depending on the brand. For example, Amazon, Flipkart, and Google Play offer gift cards in multiple denominations (minimum 10), while others like Starbucks or BookMyShow have fixed options.
Digital Advancements in E-Cards and Gift Cards: The Future of Online Gifting
The way people send greetings and gifts has transformed with the rise of digital technology. Traditional paper cards and physical gift vouchers are now being replaced by e-cards and digital gift cards. These offer instant delivery, customization, and ease of use. The integration of QR codes, NFC technology, AI-driven messages, and blockchain security has further improved the digital gifting experience.
QR Code and NFC-Based E-Cards
E-cards have evolved from simple digital messages to smart, interactive formats that allow instant transactions and redemptions. Two major upcoming technologies in this space are QR codes and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
How QR Code & NFC Technology Work in E-Cards
- QR Codes: Users receive an e-card with a QR code, which they can scan to access a digital gift card, redeem event tickets, or claim special offers.
- NFC-Enabled E-Cards: Some modern e-cards use NFC technology, that allows the recipient to tap their phone on an NFC-enabled card to redeem a gift card or exclusive discount.
Benefits of QR and NFC E-Cards
✔ Instant Redemption – No need to manually enter codes.
✔ Secure and Fraud-Proof – Unique codes reduce duplication and misuse.
✔ Enhanced Interactivity – Users can access multimedia greetings, personalized videos, and special offers.
Many brands now issue digital e-cards that work with mobile wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay, making transactions seamless.
AI-Powered Personalized E-Cards
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made digital greetings more useful and personalized than ever before. AI-powered e-cards can now generate custom messages, suggest relevant greetings, and even include voice or video messages based on the recipient’s preferences.
How AI Changes E-Cards
- Message Personalization: AI tools analyze previous interactions to craft customized greetings.
- Voice & Video Integration: Users can generate AI-powered voice notes or short animated messages with text-to-speech technology.
- Real-Time Translations: Some services allow users to send e-cards in multiple languages,
Blockchain Security for Digital Gift Cards
With the rise of online fraud, blockchain technology is now being integrated into digital gift cards to prevent counterfeiting and provide security.
Why Blockchain in Gift Cards?
- Immutable Records: Transactions are stored on a secure decentralized ledger
- No Expiry Manipulation: Blockchain gift cards remain valid without unauthorized alterations.
- P2P Transfers: Some platforms allow users to trade or gift digital gift cards securely via blockchain networks.
E-Gifting Trends for the Future
The future of digital gifting is shaping up with new trends and innovations that will make e-cards and gift cards more interactive and useful.
Upcoming Trends in Digital Gifting
- Augmented Reality (AR) E-Cards: AR-powered e-cards will allow recipients to see 3D animations or interactive experiences.
- Subscription-Based Gift Cards: More brands will introduce gift cards for monthly subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime).
- Eco-Friendly Digital Gifts: With sustainability in focus, digital gift cards are becoming a green alternative to paper-based gifting.
- AI-Powered Gift Selection: AI assistants will help users choose the best e-gift cards based on the recipient’s preferences.
Why Are Gift Cards So Popular?
Gift cards are becoming popular because they offer flexibility and simplicity. Here’s why people prefer gift cards:
- Personalization: Allows the recipient to choose what they want.
- No expiry in some cases: Many gift cards do not expire, so any hurry to redeem them.
- Safe for online shopping: They protect users from sharing sensitive banking details.
- Wide availability: Available in both physical and digital formats.
- Fast Payments: Unlike debit or credit cards, there are no hassles or delays in payments.
How Do Gift Cards Work?
When you buy a gift card, you are asked to fill it with a certain amount of money. After activating, you can send the cards as a gift. The recipient can use the card to shop either online or in stores. Here’s how the process works:
- Purchase a Gift Card: You can buy a gift card from retail outlets, websites, or even mobile apps.
- Use the Card: When the recipient wants to buy something, they enter the gift card code (for online use) or swipe the card (for in-store purchases).
- Balance Check: They can check their remaining balance by visiting the brand’s website or calling customer service.
- Partial Payments: If the total bill exceeds the balance on the gift card, the user can pay the remaining amount using another payment method.
Types of Gift Cards
There are two primary types of gift cards, each with its specific purpose:
- Closed-Loop Gift Cards: These can only be used at the specific store or brand that issued them. Examples include:
- Amazon Gift Card
- Flipkart Gift Card
- Big Bazaar Gift Card
- Starbucks Gift Card
- Zomato Gift Card
- Myntra Gift Card
- BookMyShow Gift Card
- Open-Loop Gift Cards: These can be used at any store or website that accepts specific payment networks, such as Visa or Mastercard. Examples include:
- Visa Gift Card
- Mastercard Gift Card
- American Express Gift Card
- Rupay Gift Card
- Prepaid vs. Reloadable Gift Cards: Prepaid gift cards come with a fixed balance and cannot be recharged. With reloadable gift cards, you can add more funds after the initial balance is spent. Brands like Walmart and Paytm offer reloadable gift cards.
E-Gift Cards vs. Physical Gift Cards
- Physical Gift Cards: These are physical cards that look like credit or debit cards and are available in stores. You can give them as gifts by handing them over in person.
- E-Gift Cards: These are digital gift cards that come with a code. They can be sent via email or messaging apps. Virtual gift cards are preferred by many because they are last-minute gifts since you don’t need to wait for shipping.
Uses and Benefits of Gift Cards
As I said, gift cards can be used for various purposes, here are some multiple benefits:
- Used For Gifting: Gift cards make the perfect gift for birthdays, festivals, or anniversaries. The recipient has the freedom to choose what they want.
- Budget Planning: Many people use gift cards to control their spending. If you load ₹2000 on a gift card, it ensures that you cannot spend more than that amount.
- Security: When using gift cards for online shopping, you do not need to enter your bank or card details. This protects you from potential fraud.
- Rewards: Some gift cards offer cashback, rewards, or discounts. For example, you can use a Flipkart gift card during a sale to get extra cashback.
- Corporate Benefits: Many businesses give gift cards like Amazon, Flipkart, or Paytm cards as rewards to employees or clients. It’s an easy way to appreciate their efforts.
How to Choose the Right Gift Card
Choosing the right gift card depends on the occasion and the recipient’s preferences. Here are some tips:
- For online shoppers: Gift cards from Amazon, Flipkart, or Paytm are great options.
- For fashion lovers: Gift cards from Myntra, Ulta, or Zara are ideal.
- For foodies: Swiggy, Zomato, or DoorDash gift cards are perfect for people who love dining or ordering groceries online.
- For gamers: Google Play, Steam, Xbox and PlayStation gift cards are ideal for gaming enthusiasts.
- For entertainment: Netflix, Audible, and Spotify gift cards are great for movie lovers and music fans.
Scams to Avoid and Tips for Safe Use
As gift cards are becoming more popular, scammers are also targeting them. Here are some important points to consider for safe use:
- Avoid using fake gift card generators. They don’t work and are scams.
- Never click on links from spam emails offering free gift cards.
- Always purchase gift cards from trusted platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and official websites.
- Don’t share your gift card PIN or card details with anyone.
- If you receive unknown calls or messages asking for your personal details, do not respond.
- Do not call any unknown number that you receive in an unknown email.
Conclusion
Gift cards are a simple, flexible and practical tool for giving as gifts, shopping and budgeting. You can use gift cards to buy for yourself or give gifts to others. With the rise of digital platforms, gift cards will always help us in small or big ways. Just make sure to use them wisely, avoid fraud and enjoy the features and convenience they provide.