The gift card landscape has evolved dramatically over the past few years, with consumers now facing a choice between traditional physical cards and their virtual counterparts. Whether you're drawn to the instant delivery of an eGift card or the tangible appeal of a physical card, both formats have real value depending on what you need. This guide isn't here to declare a winner. Instead, it walks you through the key factors that matter most so you can choose the appropriate format that fits your gifting situation.
Quick Decision Guide
Factor: |
Delivery Choice: |
|---|---|
|
Scheduled Delivery |
Digital eGift Card/Physical Gift Card |
|
Personalization Options |
Digital eGift Card/Physical Gift Card |
|
Last Minute Gifting |
Digital eGift Card |
|
International Delivery |
Digital eGift Card |
|
In-Person Presentation |
Physical Gift Card |
|
Price |
Digital eGift Card |
|
Environmental Impact |
Digital eGift Card |
|
Non-Tech Savvy Recipient |
Physical Gift Card |
As America's highest rated and longest running online gift card destination, Giftcards.com is here to help make gift card gifting easy and convenient for every gifting occasion. Read below for more in-depth coverage of these scenarios and the factors that are most likely to drive the decision between digital and physical gift card options.
If You Need it Today, Choose an eGift Card
When timing matters, the format you choose can make all the difference. For last-minute gifting, eGift cards are the only format that guarantees same-day delivery with instant delivery by email or text message. Giftcards.com has over 450 brands of gift cards that can be sent digitally so if you forgot a birthday or holiday gift, we've got you covered.
Both card options work for scheduled delivery. If purchasing an eGift card, choose either instant delivery or provide a future date on which you would like Giftcards.com to send the digital gift card to your recipient. If choosing a physical card, be sure to account for the time it takes the postal service to deliver the gift card to your intended mailbox.
For international gifting, only digital gift cards can be purchased and sent abroad. Giftcards.com does not ship outside of the United States. However, Giftcards.com does operate websites in Canada, The UK, Australia and a growing number of other countries for localized experiences and brands.
If the Gift Needs to Feel Like a Gift, Choose Physical
Sometimes the presentation is part of the gift itself, offering an enhancement and substantiation, especially for smaller sized gifts. A physical gift card can be tucked into a birthday card, wrapped in a bow, or attached to a themed gift. Milestone moments, holidays, and celebrations where the gesture carries as much weight as the gift itself are all situations where a physical card simply feels more appropriate than a link in an inbox.
Recipient age and comfort with technology can also play a factor in your decision. For kids where the simple act of unwrapping a gift is half the fun or grandparents who may not have fully embraced the e-commerce revolution and still prefer in-store shopping, a physical gift card is the more appropriate choice.
If you Want to Personalize It, Both Work
Giftcards.com offers personalization capabilities on both formats.
Digital eGift Cards
- Choose denomination
- Choose delivery date and digital method
- Add custom message in gift card email/text (up to 350 characters)
- Upload custom image or photo for gift card email/text or select a related video animation
Physical Gift Cards
- Choose denomination
- Upload photo/image onto a gift card (Visa or Mastercard)
- Add name and 20-character message onto the gift card (Visa or Mastercard)
- Choose from themed pre-designed images for the gift card (Visa, Mastercard and some retail brand cards)
If Budget is an Issue, Choose an eGift
If you value flexibility but are looking to save money, Giftcards.com offers a number of zero-fee cards to choose from. Visa and Mastercard require all gift card retailers of their products to charge a $3.95-$6.95 fee per card for both digital and physical formats. However, the Giftcards.com gift card and our selection of One4all gift cards are zero-fee options that give the recipient hundreds of brands to choose from.
Physical gift cards are also subject to shipping costs by our various carriers which further adds to the total cost of the gift card order.
Find the Right Gift Card for Any Occasion
Whether you need a gift delivered in minutes or something you can wrap, sign, and hand over in person, GiftCards.com has you covered. eGift cards offer instant digital delivery for last-minute givers or anyone sending a gift across the miles, while physical gift cards bring the tangible, presentable quality that certain occasions call for. Whichever format fits the moment, you'll find the brands, denominations, and customization options to make it feel like it was chosen with care.
