In today’s fast-moving, digital-first world, e-gift cards have become one of the most popular ways to reward, celebrate, or say thank you.
The global gift card market is expected to reach $614.7 billion this year, with digital gift cards leading as the fastest-growing segment, fueled by their convenience and instant delivery.
But if you're new to digital gifting, you might be wondering: How do e-gift cards work?
This beginner’s guide walks you through everything you need to know—from how they’re sent to how they’re redeemed—so you can start gifting smarter.An e-gift card (also called a digital gift card or virtual gift card) is a prepaid card delivered electronically via email or text. It can be used just like a physical gift card—online or in-store—depending on the brand.
Unlike plastic gift cards, e-gift cards don’t require shipping, handling, or packaging. They’re faster, more secure, and easier to manage—especially when sending to multiple people at once.
Digital gift cards are simple to use. Here’s exactly how the process works:
You start by choosing a gift card from a platform like Toasty Card, Amazon, or directly from a brand’s website. You can:
The gift card is delivered to your recipient’s email or mobile phone number. It typically includes:
This delivery happens within seconds—making it ideal for last-minute gifts.
Once the recipient gets the email or SMS, they can open the link and view their card. Depending on the provider, they may:
Recipients can spend their e-gift card in multiple ways:
E-gift cards are accepted at hundreds of top brands, including restaurants, clothing stores, grocery chains, and online retailers.
Switching from physical to digital gift cards has plenty of benefits—especially for businesses.
Whether you're sending 1 or 1,000 cards, platforms like Toasty Card allow:
Digital delivery comes with transparency:
Most do not expire quickly. Always check the terms, but platforms like Toasty Card offer flexible redemption periods.
Yes. If an email is entered incorrectly or lost, you can resend the card easily (no added fees).
Some providers charge activation or platform fees. Toasty Card, however, offers zero hidden fees.
Some can. Toasty Card supports over 90 countries with localized cards.
E-gift cards are versatile and widely used in:
You can purchase e-gift cards from:
Tip: Toasty’s Choice Card lets recipients choose from hundreds of brands—giving them full control of their reward.
Toasty Card is a leading platform for sending e-gift cards at scale—without any fees or complexity.
From employee spot bonuses to holiday gifting campaigns, Toasty Card streamlines it all.
Here’s how easy it is to send your first digital gift card:
You can even send a test card to yourself—try before you commit!
Curious how easy it is to send an e-gift card?
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There’s no better time to make the switch to digital gifting—faster, safer, and more personal than ever before.
Yes—many digital cards can be scanned or added to a mobile wallet for in-store purchases.
Yes. You can schedule e-gift cards to be sent on specific dates.
Most are not refundable once sent, but Toasty Card allows unused funds to be recaptured in some business plans.
Toasty Card offers delivery tracking and bounce-back alerts.
No problem—edit the email and resend at no extra cost.
Yes! Platforms like Toasty Card are built for bulk sending with advanced tracking tools.