Why You Should Use Gift and Loyalty Cards

Gift and loyalty cards only take a few moments to set up and can be a major driving force behind your business’s success. Take a few minutes to find out how.

Gift Cards

Gift cards benefit more than just customers. Merchants that offer these cards often find that their business grows and their revenue increases.

How do gift cards increase your revenue?

Well first of all, according to a report from finder.com, gift cards have been the most requested holiday gift for the past 10 years. That means that if your business provides gift cards, you can expect customers to buy hordes of gift cards during the holiday season, which increases your revenue and your brand awareness.

That’s right—gift cards boost brand awareness. Imagine you have a repeat customer and for their friend’s birthday, let’s call him Rob, they buy him a gift cardA prepaid card that is loaded with a specific amount that the cardholder can spend at the sponsoring retailer.. Rob has never heard of your business, but the gift cardA prepaid card that is loaded with a specific amount that the cardholder can spend at the sponsoring retailer. sends him to your front door. After a wonderful experience, Rob becomes a repeat customer as well.

How to Get Gift Cards

To begin selling gift cards at your store, contact your payment processorA large data center that processes credit card transactions and settles funds to merchants. A processor connects to the merchant on behalf of an acquirer via a gateway or POS system to process payments electronically. Processors edit and format messages and switch to bankcard networks. They provide files for clearing and settlement and other value-added services..... Most processors, like National Merchants Association (NMA), already have a gift cardA prepaid card that is loaded with a specific amount that the cardholder can spend at the sponsoring retailer. program in place. Purchasing gift cards from your payment processorA large data center that processes credit card transactions and settles funds to merchants. A processor connects to the merchant on behalf of an acquirer via a gateway or POS system to process payments electronically. Processors edit and format messages and switch to bankcard networks. They provide files for clearing and settlement and other value-added services.... is easy to do and saves you time as they take care of the details for you.

NMA presents merchants with a wide selection of gift cardA prepaid card that is loaded with a specific amount that the cardholder can spend at the sponsoring retailer. opportunities at a low price.

Loyalty Cards

Another way to increase brand awareness and gain repeat customers is through the use of loyalty cards. Loyalty cards can be customized to fit your particular business. For example, a nail salon could offer 50% off a treatment after a customer’s 10th visit, while a restaurant could offer $5 back for every $100 spent. These cards provide customers with an incentive to come back.

How to Get Loyalty Cards

Just as with gift cards, your payment processorA large data center that processes credit card transactions and settles funds to merchants. A processor connects to the merchant on behalf of an acquirer via a gateway or POS system to process payments electronically. Processors edit and format messages and switch to bankcard networks. They provide files for clearing and settlement and other value-added services.... should be able to set you up with loyalty cards. For example, National Merchants Association presents merchants with a wide selection of loyalty cards to custom fit your business. With NMA as your merchantA business that accepts credit cards for goods or services. services provider, you can choose from Rewards, Flat Dollar Rewards, Tiered Based Rewards, Frequency Based Rewards, and Employee Incentive.
Not every payment processorA large data center that processes credit card transactions and settles funds to merchants. A processor connects to the merchant on behalf of an acquirer via a gateway or POS system to process payments electronically. Processors edit and format messages and switch to bankcard networks. They provide files for clearing and settlement and other value-added services.... offers multiple loyalty cardA retailer or brand specific card that has cardholder benefits used to build brand or store loyalty. Cardholders are usually given an award or discount based upon number of visits or dollars spent. programs. It’s important to have a variety of programs to choose from so that you can customize your loyalty cards to best increase your revenue.

NMA’s Gift & Loyalty Packages Summary

Pre-Designed

Pre-Designed card packages are the fastest and easiest way to launch your Gift and Loyalty program. Simply choose from one of the professionally designed templates and the rest is taken care of for you. Your cards can be delivered to your location in a matter of days.

Custom

This package allows you to create a customized card to build your brand image. Create your own artwork or have a graphic artist design your card for you.

A-La-Carte

The A-La-Carte Gift and Loyalty program allows merchants the opportunity to individually select any quantity of cards, table tents, window decals, static clings, and card carriers. The package is tailored to meet the exact needs of your business. Perfect for special events and promotions.

Features of Gift and Loyalty Cards

Online tracking and reporting for merchants and consumers
Issue gift cards instead of cash-back refunds
Customize rewards and point levels on loyalty cards
Compatible with credit card terminals and POSThe time and place a sale takes place. Also refers to the devices used to transmit the credit card transaction. systems
Great for employee incentives
Eliminate the risk of fraud from paper certificates
Multiple locations/franchises can share the same card
Revenue from multiple locations can be pooled into one account

Why Consumers Love Gift Cards

High-tech, upscale form of payment
No manual handling of paper
Convenient and fun
Great gifts for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions

Why Owners and Managers Love Gift Cards

Keeps consumers shopping in their establishment
Easy to manage
Increase cash flow
Accurate and secure
Eliminate fraud, abuse, and forgery
Have no value until activated by an authorized employee
Easy to promote at POSThe time and place a sale takes place. Also refers to the devices used to transmit the credit card transaction., which might lead to impulse gift cardA prepaid card that is loaded with a specific amount that the cardholder can spend at the sponsoring retailer. purchases
Significantly reduces accounting and administrative headaches of manual paper systems
Acts as a “mini-billboard” in your customer’s wallet
Can be used in conjunction with loyalty or rewards programs

Real-Time Transaction Reporting

Use our merchantA business that accepts credit cards for goods or services. administration portal to view gift and loyalty cardA retailer or brand specific card that has cardholder benefits used to build brand or store loyalty. Cardholders are usually given an award or discount based upon number of visits or dollars spent. transactions in real-time. Detailed transactionAn act between a seller and a cardholder that results in either a paper or an electronic representation of the cardholder’s promise to pay for goods or services received from the act. The action between a cardholder and a merchant that results in financial activity between the merchant and cardholder’s account.... reports let you see a wide variety of customer information and habits.
Customers can check their card balance at getyourbalance.com at no charge to you. Encourage your customers to register their card and start building your customer database and marketing lists.

How to Start Using Gift and Loyalty Cards

Now that you’re sold on the idea of gift and loyalty cards, how do you get them?
That’s easy—through us! National Merchants Association will walk you through the proper steps to put together your desired gift and loyalty cardA retailer or brand specific card that has cardholder benefits used to build brand or store loyalty. Cardholders are usually given an award or discount based upon number of visits or dollars spent. package. Give us a call or complete the form to get started.