January 30, 2025

32 Best Gift Cards for Every Type of Employee (and How to Best Implement Them in Your Company)

Whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because, the best gift cards for employees make it easy to show your appreciation.

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Employees love a simple sign of appreciation (don’t we all?). How do you show them you care when that milestone event comes up or when it’s someone’s birthday? With a gift card, of course. We found the best employee gift cards to reward your people.

Companies that don’t show appreciation or don’t have an employee reward and recognition program, risk demotivating employees. This can lead to:

• Decreased workplace performance 
• Weaker connection to company culture
• Lower employee retention

With a digital gift card reward program set up, gifting employees becomes so much easier. Gift-giving can even be automated. If you’re tired of coming up with the perfect gift ideas, then e-gift cards are a great way to show appreciation.

Digital gift cards are everyone’s favorite corporate gift. They offer flexibility and choice to employees while remaining a personalized gift. Imagine receiving a gift card to your favorite store or restaurant – a nice gesture, right? 

The right gift cards can help make your employees feel valued, fostering a positive work environment and successful business. We list the 32 best gift cards for employees and show you how to easily integrate them into your business.

Want to simplify the gifting process? Book a demo for zendit’s API platform and discover how easily gift cards can integrate into your corporate gifting strategy.

What gift cards make the perfect employee appreciation gifts? 

Corporate gift-giving is an essential part of a healthy company. 89% of employees feel valued when receiving a gift, a survey from fintech giant Fiserv revealed. They’re also more likely to choose you as an employer and to stay. 

Companies with high-quality reward and recognition programs do better. When recognition hits the mark, employees are five times as likely to be connected to company culture and four times as likely to be engaged, advisor Gallup found.  

Want to find the gift that hits the mark? Look no further than gift cards – 86% of employees feel gift cards are an appropriate incentive, the 2024 Fiserv survey found. Respondents like gift cards for their purchase flexibility (79%) and ease of use (64%). 

For that reason, employees prefer prepaid gift cards over store/brand-specific gift cards. When it comes to specific gift cards, employees prefer grocery store cards (27%), retail stores (21%), restaurants (12%), and entertainment (9%). 

Source: Fiserv

And how about cash? Given the survey’s results, giving your employees a check might seem like an even better gift idea. But as it turns out, employees respond more positively to gift cards than to cash rewards of equal value, researchers at the University of Wisconsin found. 

That’s because while cash is often used for daily expenses, gift cards are viewed as a special treat that recipients can spend on something they want instead of need. 

The 32 best gift card ideas for employees

Now that we know what employees like receiving best, let’s move on to the 32 best gift card ideas for employees:

Prepaid cards are the best gift cards to give employees

Prepaid cards are the gift of choice for many consumers. These cards offer the flexibility to be used at a wide range of retailers, both in-store and online. 

The global prepaid card market was valued at $2.8 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow 7.3% annually to reach $5.8 trillion by 2033, according to consultant Allied Market Research. A big reason for the increasing popularity of prepaid cards is the rise of cashless transactions and e-commerce – trends that prepaid cards seamlessly fit into. 

Why prepaid cards make good gifts

Prepaid cards are particularly popular gift cards because they allow employees to choose where and how they spend their gift, providing a sense of autonomy rivaling cash – but without the financial responsibility. 

Prepaid cards are a practical choice for any occasion and a great bulk gift card to all company members. They’re perfect for remote workers working abroad. 

Which prepaid cards to choose

The easiest-to-use prepaid card are the two biggest credit card issuers:

1. Virtual Visa: The Visa gift card is globally accepted and easy to use. Visa prepaid cards allow users to pay without disclosing any personal financial details and the remaining balance can be checked online.

Employers can buy and send Virtual Visa prepaid cards in a few clicks on zendit’s API platform.

2. Mastercard Reward Program: The Mastercard gift card offers global usability and convenience, much like its Visa counterpart. 

Large retailers: So flexible they might as well be prepaid cards

Gift cards from retailers can only be used at one retail store or consortium of stores. However, retail giants like Amazon offer such a wide range of products that their gift cards are nearly as flexible as prepaid cards. 

How popular are retail gift cards? During 2024’s holiday season, six out of ten consumers received gift cards, as a survey from the Bank of America and payment provider TSG showed, with 88% of those cards from large retailers.

Why large retailer gift cards make good gifts

Large retailer gift cards give employees the freedom to choose items that best suit their needs and preferences. Clothes, electronics, home goods, diapers, you name it. Retail gift cards are a practical and versatile solution for gifting, ensuring that employees can buy something they really want

. 

These cards are a great option for companies looking to give a useful gift that employees will appreciate. Use retail gift cards to recognize achievements, celebrate milestones, or simply say “thank you” for a job well done.

Which retail gift cards to choose:

Below are the most popular large retailer gift cards that your employees are sure to appreciate. All are available through zendit APIs:

3. Amazon: The world’s biggest retail has an incredibly extensive selection of products and is universally loved. And it’s not just the wide range of products that makes Amazon so popular; it’s fast shipping time, return policy, and prices. Plus, the Amazon gift card can be used for Amazon Prime and Audible.
   
4. Best Buy: Here’s another big retail name. Best Buy specializes in consumer electronics and has everything from laptops to self-care appliances. A trusted brand, Best Buy sells open-box and refurbished deals at reduced prices.
   
5. Target: Known for having a wide range of affordable and high-quality items, Target is America’s trusted retailer for all consumer goods. A big bonus of the Target gift card is that it has no expiration date. 

Grocery store gift cards: A most practical employee gift

Are grocery gift cards the best gift cards for employees? Well, they certainly are the most practical. The average American household easily spends more than $1,000 per month on groceries, according to the Census Bureau. A gift card can be put towards those costs.

Why grocery gift cards make for great employee rewards

Grocery store gift cards show appreciation in an honest way. You help employees save on their grocery bills and provide a tangible benefit that supports not just their individual well-being but of their whole household.

These cards are especially valuable for employees with big families and who you know appreciate receiving something that can help them meet their daily needs.

Which grocery gift cards to choose

Wondering which grocery gift cards are the best gift cards for employees? On the zendit API platform, these popular options can all be sent to employees in a few clicks:

6. Walmart: Groceries account for 55% of this retail superstore’s revenue. Walmart gift cards buy employees’ daily goods and much more, making it a versatile reward. Especially good for the budget-oriented employee.
   
7. Safeway: Got a Safeway near the office? Then their gift cards are a practical gift that will surely be appreciated. Don’t have a Safeway nearby? Then Safeway can deliver groceries to your employee’s doorstep.

8. Shipt: One of today’s most popular grocery delivery services, Shipt has an easy-to-use app and a wide variety of retailers. It’s the perfect gift card for an employee who’s hard work kept them from doing daily chores like shopping for groceries

Restaurant gift cards: Dining experiences and treats for employees

Don’t you agree there’s hardly anything more rewarding than a tasty meal or snack? Restaurant gift cards are an amazing experiential gift for employee’s, one that encourages relaxation and socializing. 

Restaurant gift card sales were up 13.2% on 2024’s Black Friday and 17.7% during Thanksgiving weekend, according to data from engagement platform Paytronix, showing these are popular gift cards for employees.

Why restaurant gift cards make wonderful rewards 

Restaurant gift cards gift your employees an opportunity to enjoy a meal out – a refreshing break from their daily routines. Encourage your employees to unwind, socialize with family and friends, and enjoy a memorable meal.

Restaurant vouchers are especially popular during holidays and times of the year when people like to dine out. These types of gift cards work great as a simple “thank  you”.

Which restaurant gift cards to choose

Below are a few great options for restaurant gift cards. These and dozens of other restaurant vouchers are available on zendit:

9. Starbucks: Perfect for coffee lovers and casual meetups, Starbucks gift cards offer the perfect excuse for a break from office duties.

10. Buffalo Wild Wings: Great for sports enthusiasts and group outings, Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards offer a fun and lively dining experience.
    
11. Chipotle: Ideal for quick, delicious meals, Chipotle gift cards provide employees with a variety of tasty, customizable options.
    
12. Cheesecake Factory: Offers a diverse menu and a treat for everyone, making it a great choice for most employees.
    
13. Five Guys: Today’s most popular burger joint serves no fast food but crafted, mouth-watering burgers. Five Guys gift cards are a sure hit with employees who appreciate hearty, delicious fast food.
    
14. Uber Eats: A different way of offering an amazing meal is through delivery. Uber Eats gives employees the option to choose between hundreds of nearby restaurants.
    
15. Doordash gift card: Like Uber Eats, Doordash is a food delivery service that does both food and grocery delivery. 

Entertainment gift cards: Give your employees a reason to unwind

Entertainment gift cards are a fantastic way to reward employees with some leisure time. The possibilities are endless here, from movie and music streaming to cinemas and gaming. 

Why entertainment gift cards make great rewards for employees

After a project or hard work, why not give your employees a chance to unwind? Support work-life balance; doing so will certainly be appreciated and increase employee engagement.

Plus, picking the right entertainment gift card adds a personal touch.

Which entertainment gift cards to choose

Entertainment comes in as many shapes as there are interests. These cards cater to all interests and promise something for everyone. They’re available on the zendit platform:

16. Netflix: Everyone’s favorite streaming service offers a vast library of movies and TV shows, perfect for binge-watching.
    
17. Disney+: Perfect for families, Disney’ streaming service offers classic and new Disney content, including Marvel and Star Wars series. What’s not to love?!
    
18. Hulu: Another great streaming service, the Hulu gift card is for those employees that already binge on all Netflix series and are looking for an alternative.
    
19. AMC Theatres: Going to the movies is different from streaming one from your couch. It’s an experience. Give your employee the chance to see the latest blockbuster at an AMC theatre.

20. Spotify: The world’s biggest music library? Perhaps. Give the gift of music with endless music streaming plus podcast options.
    
21. Playstation Store: Is your employee a gamer? These gift cards unlock access to a vast selection of games, add-ons, and exclusive content for PlayStation consoles.
    
22. Xbox: Said gamer-employee might be an Xbox fan instead. In that case, this gift card provides access to games and entertainment on Xbox consoles.
    
23. Google Play: Who said gaming requires a console? If you have a techy employee (devs?), they might enjoy a Google Play gift card. These give access to anything in the Play store, from apps and games, to movies, music, books, and more.
    
24. Apple gift card: Does your developer use an iPhone instead of Android? Then gift them an Apple gift card instead.

Travel and wellness gift cards: Send your staff on a holiday

An amazing, experiential reward, travel gift cards would be the very best gift card ideas for employees if they’d also include days off. (Consider that option if you want to go the extra mile!) 

Wellness gift cards send the message, albeit with less oomph. Both types of vouchers make for great gifts though, one that scores high on employee recognition – not in the least because they tend to be a bit more expensive.

Why travel gift cards are great gifts for employees

Whether as a holiday gift or a performance bonus, employees will feel highly appreciated when  you send them on a vacation or to a spa. This is the kind of gift that you give in person. 

Travel and wellness gift cards are also a great way to promote work-life balance and mental wellbeing. 

Which travel and wellness gift cards to choose

Want to know all top travel and wellness gift card opinions? Below are the most popular gift certificate ideas for employees available on our platform:

25. Airbnb gift card: Airbnb offers the most unique accommodations and experiences around the world. Their gift card is the ultimate gift for adventurous employees seeking new destinations. Also works great as a gift for remote workers looking for a temporary stay.
    
26. Southwest Airlines: Provides affordable and flexible travel options, ideal for employees looking to explore different parts of the country and across the globe.

27. Delta Air Lines: Offers more global destinations and excellent service, catering to your employees’ extended travel needs.
    
28. Hotels.com: This huge booking platform allows employees to choose from a wide range of hotels, ensuring comfortable and convenient stays.
    
29. Amtrak: For the climate-conscious and slow travellers, scenic train journeys are the ultimate holiday across big cities and underexplored regions.
    
30. Wayspa: Do your employees deserve pampering? Wayspa gift cards offer access to luxurious spa services and treatments at top-rated spas in Canada. Gift these on special occasions only.

Charity donation gift cards: A meaningful gift for those who have it all

In these trying times, charity donation gift cards are a special kind of gift. They allow employees to contribute to causes they care about, making a meaningful impact.

These cards promote social responsibility and goodwill, enhancing the company’s image as a socially conscious organization. 

Why charities make the best gift cards for employees

Charity donation gift cards do more than give employees the opportunity to support meaningful causes. They promote a healthy company culture, showing your commitment to bringing about positive differences in the world.

Which charities to choose

When it comes to charities, it’s important to do your own research to see which actually contribute to a better world as you envision it. Here are some popular charity donation gift card options available through Zendit:

31. Unicef: Supports global humanitarian efforts, helping children in need in most regions affected by humanitarian crises.
    
32. GlobalGiving: Allows donations to various grassroots projects worldwide. Let your employee choose what they deem important.

How to best implement a gift card reward program in your company

Whether you’re an entrepreneur running a small business, or an HR manager at a big company, Implementing a digital gift card reward program is much easier than you might think.

In today’s age of digital gift card solutions, all it takes is some strategic decisions and a few clicks of a button. Here are four steps to get you started:

1. Identify the goals and set a budget: Determine the objectives of your gift card program, whether it’s to boost morale, reward performance, celebrate milestones, or all.
   
2. Choose the right gift cards: Select a variety of gift cards that cater to different employee preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Zendit has hundreds of gift cards from leading brands available worldwide that you can easily select through country, category, brand, and other filters.
   
3. Set up a digital platform: Build a digital platform or simply use zendit’s gift card API to manage and distribute gift cards seamlessly.
   
4. Automate the process: Automate the gifting process to save time and ensure timely delivery of rewards. This can be done through zendit’s API, which integrates easily into your existing systems.

Using zendit’s gift card API for easy and effective employee rewards

Zendit’s gift card API simplifies the process of buying and sending gift cards. With just a few clicks, you can give a wide range of the best gift cards for employees, making it a hassle-free experience for both you and your team.

Ready to get started? Book a demo with zendit today and see how easy it is to buy and send gift cards to your employees. For more information, contact us.