# 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. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/gift-cards/how-to-send-gift-cards - Section: Payments / Gift Cards - Reading time: 5 min - Images: 15, each explained below - Modified on Thu, 14 May at 9:50 AM --- 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?](#what-is-sending-gift-cards)[](#key-benefits-of-sending-gift-cards) - [Key Benefits of Sending Gift Cards](#key-benefits-of-sending-gift-cards)[](#use-cases-for-sending-gift-cards) - [Use Cases for Sending Gift Cards](#use-cases-for-sending-gift-cards)[](#prerequisites-for-sending-gift-cards) - [Prerequisites for Sending Gift Cards](#prerequisites-for-sending-gift-cards)[](#how-to-send-a-gift-card) - [How to Send a Gift Card](#how-to-send-a-gift-card)[](#delivery-methods-explained) - [Delivery Methods Explained](#delivery-methods-explained)[](#email)[](#what-happens-after-a-gift-card-is-sent) - [What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent](#what-happens-after-a-gift-card-is-sent)[](#key-behaviors-and-limitations) - [Key Behaviors & Limitations](#key-behaviors-and-limitations)[](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)[](#related-articles) - [Related Articles](#related-articles) --- # **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](https://jumpshare.com/share/WO8nSGZWS8RLjB2nvM4m+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.02.39+PM.png) **Step 2 of 4: Go to Payments → 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. - Where to go: Go to Payments → Gift Cards. - Controls: Payments → Gift Cards., Create a Gift Card, select an existing Gift Card, All Gift Cards, Send, . - Next: Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. Full 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…](https://jumpshare.com/share/lwAqTaYBJlHZUyLQOnHW+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.07.49+PM.png) **Step 3 of 4: Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift…** 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. - What to choose: Create a Gift Card or select an existing Gift Card from the All Gift Cards list. - Controls: Create a Gift Card, select an existing Gift Card, All Gift Cards, Payments → Gift Cards., Send, . - Next: On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. Full 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…](https://jumpshare.com/share/BfuXE2nejTPExaY10OSk+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.10.09+PM.png) **Step 4 of 4: On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now…** 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. - What to fill in: On the Gift Card you want to send, click the Send button. You will now enter the Send flow. - Controls: Send, ., Payments → Gift Cards., Create a Gift Card, select an existing Gift Card, All Gift Cards Full 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](https://jumpshare.com/share/loy8HURAsCLH25bOIfTb+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.15.10+PM.png) **Step 3 of 3: Click continue** 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. - What to click: Click continue. - Controls: continue, Add a Contact Full 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](https://jumpshare.com/share/wUpCkc5IeaOSTyVzG2rN+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.21.05+PM.png) **Step 4 of 4: Click continue** 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. - What to click: Click continue. - Controls: continue., Write with AI. Full 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](https://jumpshare.com/share/0Jfwr6zimU6IGHcdZIMo+/Screenshot+2025-11-26+at+9.29.28%E2%80%AFPM.png) **Step 1 of 1: Choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product** 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. - What to choose: Choose one of the preset denominations configured for the product. - Controls: 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/2s6Cy4C4QE85akAC0ifg+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+9.39.03+PM.png) **Step 5: Choose Delivery Method (image 7 of 15)** 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…. - What this covers: Email SMS QR Code (via email) PDF (via email) - Fields: Email, SMS, QR Code (via email), PDF (via email) - Controls: customer's available information, Email, SMS, QR Code (via email), PDF (via email) - Next: 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. Example values (illustrative, not read from the screenshot): - Email: priya.raman@northgatedental.com Full 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 **d**eliveryfor a **Future Date.** - Click **continue.** ![Step 3 of 3: Click continue](https://jumpshare.com/share/fXBLYnUAf7ab0c2nbQEB+/GIF+Recording+2025-11-26+at+9.54.26+PM.gif) **Step 3 of 3: Click continue** 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. - What to click: Click continue. - Controls: continue., available delivery date range, card’s expiry settings, has an, expiry date, between today’s date and the expiry date, does not have an expiry date, scheduled for any future date, immediately, tomorrow, after one week., d, Future Date. Full 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](https://jumpshare.com/share/Dx07l8CphQzWnfDpO63v+/GIF+Recording+2025-11-26+at+10.20.40+PM.gif) **Step 2 of 2: Click Send Gift Card** 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. - What to click: Click Send Gift Card. - Fields: Gift Card Amount, Custom Message, Expiry Date, Redemption Instructions, Artwork - Controls: Send Gift Card., review Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/nE4p8Ho3cp0j09xXcDCu+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+10.40.12+PM.png) **Email (image 10 of 15)** 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. - What this covers: Full visual gift card with artwork. Includes expiry, balance, and redemption link. Recommended for most cases. - Next: Sends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting. Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/zcbVS0C3sqcyIU6lnTJd+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+10.42.47+PM.png) **SMS (image 11 of 15)** 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. - What this covers: Sends a clean message with the gift card link. Artwork not included due to SMS formatting. - Next: Sends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events. Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/4J3mtirC8dkp0JPOZJNp+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+10.44.51+PM.png) **PDF (via Email) (image 12 of 15)** 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. - What this covers: Sends a downloadable printable PDF. Great for in-store gifting, physical wrapping, or events. - Next: Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events. Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/R9SYiFnfOc0WsAnmTeVP+/GIF+Recording+2025-11-26+at+10.47.14+PM.gif) **QR Code (via Email) (image 13 of 15)** 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. - What this covers: Sends a scannable QR that opens the gift card. Useful for in-person gifting or events. - Next: Once sent, the gift card appears under: Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/sZYp5xQTee7yLigsfBll+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+10.50.18+PM.png) **What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent (image 14 of 15)** 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. - What this covers: Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders - Fields: Recipient details, Delivery method, Delivery timestamp, Denomination, Expiry, Remaining balance, Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive, Hidden gift card code - Controls: Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders - Next: The Gift Card Order Details will contain: Full 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)](https://jumpshare.com/share/OWNNCXZESfhm7DusXHwM+/Screen+Shot+2025-11-26+at+10.53.18+PM.png) **What Happens After a Gift Card Is Sent (image 15 of 15)** 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…. - What this covers: Recipient details Delivery method Delivery timestamp Denomination Expiry Remaining balance Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive Hidden gift card code - Fields: Recipient details, Delivery method, Delivery timestamp, Denomination, Expiry, Remaining balance, Status: Scheduled, Active, Inactive, Hidden gift card code - Controls: Payments → Gift Cards → Gift Card Orders - Next: 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. Full 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](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/payment-links/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. --- ## **Related Articles** - [Getting Started with Gift Cards](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/gift-cards/getting-started-with-gift-cards)  - [How to Sell Gift Cards](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/gift-cards/how-to-sell-gift-cards)  - [How to Track Gift Card Performance (Analytics & Metric Tracking)](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/gift-cards/how-to-track-gift-card-performance-analytics-metric-tracking) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com