E-gift cards work by delivering a prepaid gift electronically: the sender chooses a reward, and the recipient opens the message, claims the card, and uses it with the issuing brand. A brand-specific card is chosen for them; a choice-based reward lets them pick from the available brands.
The process has four stages: choose, deliver, redeem, and spend. Here is what each person does, using Giftronaut as the example.
Start with the recipient. Do you know which brand they would use, and in which country? If you do, choose a Branded Gift Card. If you would rather let them decide, choose a Choice Card and set the reward amount.
Add the recipient’s email address and a message, then choose to send now or schedule the reward. For a team, you can upload a recipient spreadsheet instead of entering each person separately. Each product has its own minimum and maximum amount, shown when you order. For more on sending, see our guide to the best way to send gift cards online.
Giftronaut accounts are pre-funded. You add money before placing an order; a credit card deposit carries a 3% processing fee, while ACH and wire deposits carry no Giftronaut funding fee. The account funding guide explains the steps and processing times.
The reward email comes from Team Giftronaut at no-reply@giftronaut.com. It includes the link the recipient needs to access the reward. If the gift is last-minute, see the best instant eGift cards.
A short personal message helps explain why it arrived. For an employee thank-you, name the contribution you appreciated. For a survey reward, mention the study they completed. These are suggested ways to give the message context, not extra steps the recipient needs to complete.
Senders can also download unique reward links and share them through their own systems. In that case, the sender manages delivery through that channel. See how digital gift cards are delivered for the differences between delivery methods.
A Choice Card recipient opens the email, follows the redemption link, and verifies their email address. The one-time verification code is valid for 10 minutes; if it expires, they can request another.
They then choose from the brands available for their country. A reward can be split across more than one brand, such as part Amazon and part Uber. After they review and confirm the selection, the gift card codes and instructions appear on screen.
With a Branded Gift Card, the sender has already chosen the brand. The recipient follows the email link to reveal its code and instructions.
Check the selection before confirming it. A confirmed Choice Card selection cannot be changed or exchanged, and a Branded Gift Card cannot be exchanged for another brand once revealed. The redemption walkthrough shows the full process.
Now the selected brand’s instructions take over. The recipient may enter the code at checkout or add it to an account or app before making a purchase.
For in-store use, read the card’s instructions before going to the register. Some products are online only. A digital gift card does not automatically support a mobile wallet or every physical location carrying that brand’s name.
The country matters, too. An Amazon.co.uk gift card cannot be redeemed on Amazon.com in the United States. Choosing the right local version at the start avoids a gift the recipient cannot use.
An e-gift card, also called a digital or virtual gift card, is a prepaid gift card delivered electronically. Instead of receiving a plastic card, the recipient gets a message with a code or a link to claim one.
The important choice is whether you want to select the brand or leave that decision to the recipient. An Amazon gift card makes sense when you know someone shops there. For a team with different preferences, a reward that offers several brands gives each person more say in their gift.
There is no physical card to ship. You still need the right recipient details and a card they can use. Our comparison of digital and physical gift cards covers the practical differences for a business program.
Choose a Branded Gift Card for a known preference. Choose a Choice Card when preferences vary or you want the recipient to select from their local options.
| Decision | Giftronaut Choice Card | Branded Gift Card |
|---|---|---|
| Who chooses the brand? | Recipient, when redeeming | Sender, when ordering |
| Who selects the country and currency? | Recipient selects available options at redemption | Sender chooses the country-specific product |
| Useful for | Mixed teams, client gifts, and varied preferences | A known favorite or a brand-specific campaign |
| What the sender prepares | Reward amount, message, and recipient details | The same details, plus the right brand and country |
For example, a meal reward for one colleague who uses DoorDash is a different decision from a thank-you for a team in several countries. In the first case, you can choose the local brand card. In the second, recipient choice can save you from guessing everyone’s preference. This is an illustrative example, not a customer case.
Our guide to gift card types explains the other formats you may encounter.
Start with the inbox, then involve the person who can fix the specific problem. A missing message does not necessarily mean the reward was never sent.
| What happened? | What to do next |
|---|---|
| The recipient cannot find the message | Check Spam, Junk, and other inbox tabs; search for Team Giftronaut. |
| The address was entered incorrectly | Ask the original sender to correct it in Order History and resend. |
| A company email filter blocked it | Ask the recipient’s IT team to allowlist no-reply@giftronaut.com and the giftronaut.com domain. |
| The email was deleted | Ask the sender to resend it. Resending does not reduce the reward balance or add a fee. |
| The redemption page will not load | Refresh, try another browser, and check network or VPN settings. Contact Giftronaut support if the problem continues. |
Avoid sending repeated resends in quick succession, which can trigger spam filters. The resending and email correction guide gives senders the exact steps.
Keep the original reward email after claiming the card. Its link lets the recipient return to view previously redeemed codes. For more on handling gift card messages and codes, see digital gift card safety.
We bring the sender’s order and the recipient’s choice into one workflow:
There are no platform fees, contracts, or subscriptions. Funding fees and the selected product’s terms still apply.
Before sending a team reward, use the sample experience below to see the email and redemption flow. The sample is a demonstration and cannot be redeemed for value. For the real order, check the recipient details, choose the card, and include a message that makes the thank-you personal.
Try the sample to see the email and redemption steps your recipients will follow.
Sometimes. The issuing brand decides whether the card works online, in stores, or both. Check the instructions supplied with the code; a product listed as online only cannot be used at a physical checkout.
Enter the gift card code where the brand’s website or app asks for it. Some brands require you to add the code to your account first, so follow the instructions shown with your card.
Some do, depending on the brand and product. A Giftronaut reward has a standard 180-day window to claim it. The window can be shorter if the sender selected the Refund Option; after redemption, the selected gift card’s own validity applies.
Yes. The original sender can correct the address in Order History and resend it at no extra charge. The recipient cannot change the delivery address themselves.
Check the delivery status in your Giftronaut dashboard. Sent means the recipient’s mail server accepted the email, not that the person opened it; a Redeemed Date is available when the sender selected the Refund Option.
No. Once they confirm their brand selection, the Choice Card is redeemed and the selection cannot be changed or exchanged. They can still reopen the original email to view their codes.
There are no platform fees, contracts, or subscriptions. Credit card funding carries a 3% processing fee; ACH and wire carry no Giftronaut funding fee. Product-specific spending fees and optional Payout Option fees can still apply.