Gift cards have stood the test of time—and with good reason. As workforces become increasingly remote, global, and tech-savvy, companies are doubling down on simple, personalized ways to recognize employees. Gift cards check all the boxes: they're fast, versatile, and appreciated.
According to recent employee recognition surveys, gift cards outperform cash in terms of perceived value and emotional impact. Employees are more likely to remember the item they purchased with a gift card than an equivalent cash bonus—making gift cards a smarter investment in long-term morale.
The best gift cards offer freedom. Whether it's for a favorite retailer, restaurant, or an open-loop Visa card, employees appreciate being able to choose what suits them.
Fees can sour the experience. Cards that come with activation charges or expiration dates feel less like a reward and more like a headache. Platforms like Toasty eliminate these issues with truly fee-free options.
Speed matters. Digital gift cards should be delivered instantly and securely via email or SMS. Scheduling tools and bulk uploads are a must for larger teams.
For multinational companies, global access is crucial. Choose cards that work across borders and support various currencies.
The gold standard in employee gifting. The Toasty Choice Card lets recipients redeem for hundreds of brands, including Visa, Amazon, Starbucks, and more. It’s digital, fee-free, customizable, and incredibly easy to send at scale.
Accepted nearly everywhere, the Visa Virtual Gift Card provides flexibility while staying digital. It's perfect for remote or international teams. Toasty offers this card with no activation or usage fees.
Amazon remains a go-to for all things—from groceries to electronics. An Amazon gift card offers vast utility and is especially appreciated during holidays or birthdays.
Known for home goods, fashion, and everyday essentials, Target is a favorite among families and young professionals alike.
Great for treating your employees to lunch, especially remote workers. With nationwide coverage and food delivery options, this one’s a crowd-pleaser.
A perfect way to say "Thanks a latte." Ideal for quick morale boosts, casual rewards, or coffee-themed campaigns.
This all-purpose card works well for employees who prioritize practical rewards. It covers groceries, home items, and more.
Perfect for tech lovers. Whether it’s a new app, music subscription, or Apple gear, this card adds a premium touch to your rewards program.
For Android users or mobile gamers, this card is a hit. Ideal for downloading apps, renting movies, or buying ebooks.
Show employees you support their values by letting them donate to a cause of their choice. A thoughtful and impactful option.
Digital gift cards are the default in 2025 for most companies—and for good reason. They’re fast, trackable, eco-friendly, and can be personalized with just a few clicks. Platforms like Toasty even offer automated tracking, email updates, and reissue options.
Pros:
Cons:
Physical gift cards still hold value in specific scenarios, such as:
That said, their distribution logistics and risk of loss make them less ideal for large, distributed teams.
If your team is remote or hybrid, digital wins every time. If you're in-office and want to hand someone a reward personally, physical can work. Some companies even offer both.
What your team values varies by generation, location, and lifestyle. A software engineer in San Francisco might prefer Amazon or Apple, while a warehouse team in Kansas might appreciate Walmart or Visa cards.
The best option? Give employees the power to choose. The Toasty Choice Card enables each person to select from thousands of brands—reducing friction and maximizing satisfaction.
With Toasty, every digital card can include your company’s logo, reinforcing employer branding with every reward.
Don’t just send a reward—send a message that matters. A “Thank you for going the extra mile” means more than a generic “Here’s your reward.”
Celebrate the seasons with festive themes. Whether it’s New Year’s, Employee Appreciation Week, or Diwali, Toasty lets you match your design to the moment.
Create levels: $25 for birthdays, $50 for anniversaries, $100+ for major wins. This keeps rewards consistent and meaningful.
Toasty’s dashboard provides insights into redemption rates, helping HR and finance teams measure impact and adjust programs.
Unused card? Toasty lets you reclaim 70% of the funds back into your budget—something most platforms don’t offer.
Skip codes and clunky portals. Use platforms like Toasty where employees click once to access their card.
Some gift cards eat into value over time. Always choose no-fee, no-expiry cards like those on Toasty.
If you’re not monitoring which cards bounce or go unopened, you’re wasting budget. Use a platform with full tracking and resend options.
One HR manager set up automated Toasty deliveries for every work anniversary—employees received a customized card at 9 AM on their milestone day.
A SaaS sales director used Toasty to instantly send $100 Visa cards to reps who booked five demos in a week—boosting pipeline by 23% in one quarter.
During a virtual retreat, employees received Starbucks cards to enjoy coffee during a morning breakout session—delivered with a custom branded note.
Toasty offers:
Some charge hidden activation or service fees. Others lack tracking, branding, or automation. Toasty stands apart by offering everything in one user-friendly dashboard.
Expect systems that recommend specific gift cards based on behavior, location, and preferences—automatically.
Automate rewards based on milestones in your HRIS or performance software—birthdays, anniversaries, or quarterly goals.
More teams, more countries. Toasty’s platform already supports gifting in 90+ countries, and that number is growing.
The best gift cards for employees in 2025 aren’t just convenient—they’re strategic. Whether you’re celebrating wins, appreciating loyalty, or boosting morale, the right card can make all the difference. With Toasty, you get all the features you need—customization, global reach, zero fees, and real-time tracking—in one easy-to-use platform.
Ready to elevate your employee recognition game?
Sign up for free or book a demo to explore Toasty’s game-changing gifting tools.
The Toasty Choice Card, Visa, Amazon, and DoorDash lead the pack for variety and convenience.
Yes! The Toasty Choice Card allows recipients to choose their favorite.
Depends on the occasion—$25–$100 is common. For milestones, go higher.
Yes, they’re generally considered taxable income. Toasty offers downloadable reports for compliance.
Absolutely. They’re trackable, re-sendable, and can’t be lost like physical cards.
Toasty's refund feature returns 70% of unredeemed funds to your budget.