Two-thirds of ALL consumers have purchased at least one gift card. What does that tell us?
Gift cards are the safe bet when you aren’t sure exactly what to get someone. They’re as practical as cash with a tad more personalization.
Most people also don’t feel confident about gift-giving — at least as much as 32% of people report uncertainty, according to the Business Gifting Strategy Report. According to a 2020 report by InComm,
“Millennials make up 37% of gift card buyers.”
Meaning that more and more of the workforce is filling up with gift-card savvy people who like to purchase, give, and receive gift cards of all sizes.
Not to mention the uncertainty we mentioned is even greater in a corporate context, which is why employee gift cards are the ultimate gifting strategy for the workplace.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the best employee gift cards that your team will actually want to use. Browse through this blog to find the perfect gift card for your employees in 2022!
Employee Gift Card Programs, Platforms, and Services
Employee gift card platforms are services that facilitate employee appreciation and recognition and make gift card-giving easier, more convenient, spontaneous, and often, merit-based.
1. Bucketlist
Bucketlist is an employee gift and rewards program that uses personalized recognition to match to the individual needs of the employee. With Bucketlist, employees can earn points and redeem them to achieve life goals.
Why we love this employee gift card program: It focuses on the employee rather than offering the same gift for every person on the team. This employee gift card service makes it possible to research, claim, and give quality gifts, experiences, and rewards so that employees get to enjoy checking things off their bucket list!
Notable companies using Bucketlist:
- Chick-fil-A
- Orlando Magic
- Nexon
- Majesco
Standout features:
- Customizable rewards based on your company values
- Huge range of gift cards
- Easy onboarding so employees can use instantly
How to get started: Check something off your Bucketlist to get started!
2. Kazoo
Kazoo is an employee engagement program designed to create a high-performance, high-happiness company culture.
Why we love this employee gift card program: Through feedback, conversations, and other ways of engaging, employees will be able to work together, celebrate together, and win together!
Notable companies using Kazoo:
- Allianz
- Kaiser Permanente
- Meredith
- Kia
- Hitachi
Standout features:
- Social feedback portal
- Employee segmentation
- Corporate discounts
How to get started: Check out Kazoo to get started!
3. Motivosity
Motivosity strives to improve company culture with a platform that supports each level of your organization. You can not only easily search through their large catalog of employee gift cards, but can attach these gift cards to awards, employee shoutouts, and personalized thank you messages. They even offer a #thanksmatter physical credit card that employees can use to redeem their recognition dollars on just about anything!
Why we love this employee gift card program: This gift card platform combines the ease of gift card distribution, with a host of features that encourages managers to listen to employees, peers to thank each other, and the entire organization to care more about their company culture.
Notable companies using Motivosity:
- Bosch
- Great Clips
- SalesRabbit
- University Of Michigan
- Adobe Workfront
Standout features:
- #thanksmatter physical credit card
- Personality profiles for new and existing staff
- Customizable rewards
How to get started: Explore the Motivosity catalog!
4. Awardco
Awardco is a reward platform for larger-sized companies, enabling connectivity in an otherwise disconnected world.
Why we love this employee gift card program: With a high level of customization and branding, employees and managers can send recognition via messages along with points for hotels, tickets, company swag stores, gift cards, and charitable donations.
Notable companies using Awardco:
- Zillow
- Chick-fil-A
- Hertz
- Utah Jazz
Standout features:
- Custom rewards
- Rewards catalog
- Leaderboards
How to get started: Give your employees the largest award platform out there with Awardco!
5. Bonusly
Bonusly is an employee incentives, recognition, and survey platform that’s perfectly optimized for the results economy of the modern workplace. Companies will enjoy a more engaged, satisfied, and in sync group of employees with Bonusly!
Why we love this employee gift card program: Everyone can express gratitude and appreciation, instead of only the CEO or managers having that ability to reward employees. Through Bonusly, team members can redeem points for awesome items!
Notable companies using Bonusly:
- Hulu
- ZipRecruiter
- Invision
- Toast
- SurveyMonkey
Standout features:
- Seamless app integrations
- Automated gift card ordering
- Social feedback portal
How to get started: Get started with Bonusly today!
6. Guusto
Guusto is the culture-building engagement platform for boosting collaboration, autonomy, and management excellence.
Why we love this employee gift card program: We love the fact that Guusto helps managers understand their team’s dynamics, recognize wins, and appreciate their individual team members.
Notable companies using Guusto:
- Marriot
- Levi’s
- Harry Rosen
- Toronto Raptors
- Fairmont Hotels
Standout features:
- Weighted performance measures
- Performance review management
- eCards
How to get started: Give your team extra motivation with Guusto!
7. Nectar
Nectar is a reward and recognition for across-the-board peer-to-peer recognition. Every member can celebrate another’s success with Nectar!
Why we love this employee gift card program: This employee engagement solution will reinforce company culture like no other and it makes things like spot programs super simple.
Notable companies using Nectar:
- SHRM
- Heineken
- Lasko
- teach:able
- PropLogix
Standout features:
- Custom swag storefronts
- Employee health and wellness programs
- Integrations with Slack, MS Teams, and much more
How to get started: See what the buzz is all about here!
8. Hoppier
Hoppier is an employee engagement platform that makes sending international rewards a breeze. Their vendor catalog features international brands and local options in 60+ countries, allowing their customers to run global team events and reward programs that leave no one behind.
Why we love this employee gift card program: These incentives should be a part of any employee gift card program because they have options for everyone, wherever they are.
Notable companies using Hoppier:
- Amazon
- Shopify
- Phillips
Standout features:
- Multi-vendor gift cards
- 100% refund of unclaimed rewards
- Advanced customization options
How to get started: Hop on over to Hoppier to get started!
9. Empuls
Empuls is an employee reward platform that helps HR professionals and leaders reward employees for good performance and hitting personal and professional milestones. With this platform managers can delight employees at every stage of their journey with the organization.
Why we love this employee gift card platform: Empuls has a rewards catalog that includes more than 21,000 gift card options across 20+ reward categories and 75+ countries. It allows you to surprise employees with the gift of choice and a hassle-free reward redemption experience. With Empuls, you can disburse virtual gifts and rewards for every occasion, from employee onboarding to promotion, birthday, work anniversary, wedding, exit, and more.
Notable companies using Empuls:
- Cleartrip
- Luminous
- Rakuten
- Brenntag
- Signzy
Standout features:
- Peer to peer recognition
- Automated employee rewards
- Corporate perks and discounts
- Engagement and lifecycle surveys
How to get started: Schedule a demo or get started with a 30-day free trial!
10. WeGift
WeGift is the easy-to-distribute gift card platform to help you send gift cards at scale. The WeGift API connects you to the world’s biggest network of digital rewards.
Why we love this employee gift card program: Your employees will instantly have access to gift cards from major brands from around the world. Plus, with real-time data at your disposal, you’ll get a pretty clear idea of what they love the most!
Notable companies using WeGift:
- Apple
- Uber
- Vodafone
- Debenhams
- Halfords
Standout features:
- Rewards catalog
- Loyalty program
- Customer surveys
How to get started: Get started with WeGift here!
Top 10 Best Employee Gift Cards (Most Requested on Bucketlist)
1. Amazon
Amazon is the number one online retailer in the world. With products in every imaginable category, it won’t matter if an employee is into home improvement, gardening, or sports, Amazon has it covered.
Why this employee gift card works: Employees will love being able to use the Amazon gift card to find something tailor-made for their passions and hobbies. Plus, with Amazon Prime the items they pick out will arrive in rapid time.
Where to get it: Amazon Gift Card
2. Uber
An Uber gift card is the transportation hack your employees need. This ride-sharing gift card saves them money on gas and the headache of a commute behind the wheel.
Why this employee gift card works: Whether employees want to Uber back from your office holiday party so they can enjoy the night to the fullest or they want to feel like they have their own chauffeur, Uber will do just the trick.
Where to get it: Uber Gift Card
3. Nike
Nike is one of the premier athletic brands in the world. Equipped with the right gear, your employees will want to “just do it” Nike-style.
Why this employee gift card works: Comfort is the new work uniform — or it should be, at least. The modern workplace is demanding, so employees have to be mental athletes, juggling one task on top of another. Nike will keep them fit and ready for the job.
Where to get it: Nike Gift Card
4. AirBnB
Has your employee taken their vacation time yet? If not, getting them an AirBnB gift card is an excellent way to show some employee appreciation.
Why this employee gift card works: AirBnB allows your employees to choose a short or long-term stay in any location around the world — especially if they’re working remotely. For your digitally nomadic team members or contractors, this gift card option can help them access work-life balance heaven on earth. Additionally, it’s an incredible holiday gift
Where to get it: AirBnB Gift Card
5. DoorDash
DoorDash is the perfect gift card for your work-from-home crew to enjoy delicious meals dashed and delivered straight to their door.
Why this employee gift card works: Instead of worrying about cooking meals, your employees or coworkers can relax and let the food come to them. The best part is that in true gift card fashion, they can choose from pretty much any restaurant they’d like — as long as they offer a delivery option. Talk about a winning coworker gift!
Where to get it: DoorDash Gift Card
6. Spotify
Now each employee can march to the beat of their own drum — or rather, work to the beat of their own music. This gift card is especially good for your corporate creatives.
Why this employee gift card works: The music streaming platform, Spotify, is one of the best choices for helping your employees find new music to fall in love with. Life is about these simple pleasures and this is a sure way to boost employee satisfaction by adding a little flavor to their day.
Where to get it: Spotify Gift Card
7. Drizly
Drizly is your top-shelf online liquor store. As you know, your employees deserve to kick back, relax, and blow off some steam when they’re off the clock. With tons of options on their platform, this gifting service is a trusted addition to any corporate gift card program.
Why this employee gift card works: Perhaps your coworker or employee is a serious entertainer or maybe they just enjoy a well-made drink. Either way, Drizly will put them in a perfectly refreshing state of mind.
Where to get it: Drizly Gift Card
8. Starbucks
Starbucks and the corporate mode are nearly synonymous. The international coffee shop is known especially for fueling Americans in the morning en route to their jobs.
Why this employee gift card works: Employees will love this coffee-related gift card because it gives them a chance to indulge in their favorite caffeinated beverage. Some like it grande, others like it feinte, but they all like it Starbucks.
Where to get it: Starbucks Gift Card
Bonus: Best Buy
Best Buy is the go-to when it comes to electronic devices and work-related hardware. On the other hand, it’s also ideal for your employees who love gaming.
Why this employee gift card works: Best Buy gift cards give them the option of selecting their favorite brands, games, devices, and being totally plugged in and ready to go now and in the future!
Where to get it: Best Buy Gift Card
Bonus: Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble is the number one in-person book store chain in the U.S. This mega book store is perfect for bookworms and avid learners.
Why this employee gift card works: For employees looking to continue their education or employees that just enjoy getting swept away like feathers in by a breeze of words, a Barnes & Noble gift card is the sweet escape they need.
Where to get it: Barnes & Noble Gift Card
What is an employee gift card?
An employee gift card is a gift card that has a certain amount of funds on it that can be used to purchase items from another company or brand.
With its corporate twist, you always want to make sure that the employee gift card is workplace appropriate, HR-approved, and aligns with the interests of your team members.
When to use employee gift cards
1. Corporate party — Make any corporate party better with gift card giveaways by offering gift cards to the winners of your office party games!
2. Lunch — The way to an employee’s heart is through the stomach, which is why giving out gift cards to their favorite restaurants is a guaranteed W. Good news! That’s exactly what Hoppier does! Treat your global team to lunch in just a few clicks.
3. Monthly stipend — The small expenses add up, so a monthly stipend given out via gift card can help alleviate some of that stress and allow your team to do their best work.
4. Just cause perk — It doesn’t necessarily have to be your employees’ work anniversaries or a major milestone. Sometimes, no reason is required for giving back to your amazing employees. Just cause perks, similar to on-the-spot bonuses, can majorly boost office morale.
| Benefits of creating an employee gift card program | |
| Employee self-treating |
🧘🏽♀️ Similarly to giving employees a stipend, establishing an employee gift card program offers them the ability to treat themselves to whatever they want. |
| Memorable | 🌟 Employee gift card programs are memorable because of the flexibility of getting to pick and choose your rewards. |
| Tax savings |
💰 Employee gift card programs can help companies save up taxes, depending on how much value is given away. |
| Transparency |
⚖️ Cash bonuses and even spot bonuses can be difficult to discuss with coworkers and can lead to some uncomfortable conversations; however, a gift card program is a win-win for everybody. |
| Adaptable to any budget |
🎁 An employee gift card program gives you the ability to adapt the amount to something your company can actually afford — whether that’s $50 per gift card or several hundred dollars. |
People Also Ask These Questions About Gift Cards For Employees
Q: Why is it important to send your coworkers a digital gift card?
- It is important to send your coworkers a digital gift card because you can do so without any sort of ethical issues like you might deal with if you were giving cash away.
Q: What are some of the best digital employee gift cards?
- Some of the best digital employee gift cards are given out via employee recognition platforms; however, generally speaking, the best gift cards give employees a variety of options to choose from.
Q: How do I choose a gift card for employees?
- You choose a gift card for employees based on budget, company culture, employee interests, and the variety of things the gift card will help employees purchase.
Q: How much should I spend on an employee gift card?
- You should spend whatever amount is appropriate for your employee gift card budget. There isn’t one right answer, but remember, that your employees are an investment, so definitely be willing to spend a good amount to reward them for their hard work.
Q: How do I know if my employee gift card was successful?
- You will usually know if your employee gift card was successful based on the feedback you get. The other thing to consider is that most employees will simply appreciate the gesture.
