How to use hotel gift card solutions to increase revenue
Key takeaways:
- Multi-channel promotion is key to gift card success
- Seasonal campaigns can significantly boost ROI
- Experience-based vouchers drive emotional engagement and higher spend
- A flexible hotel gift card solution makes the process seamless
Between seasonal travel, milestone celebrations and the growing demand for personalized experiences, hotel gift cards are no longer just a holiday perk. For properties looking to diversify income streams and create long-term loyalty, investing in a modern hotel gift card management strategy is a smart move.
From luxury resorts to boutique inns, gift cards offer an easy entry point into your brand. The key? Making them visible, appealing and effortless to use. Here’s how to make it happen.
Promote gift cards across multiple channels
The best gift card solutions don’t work in isolation, they thrive when woven into your larger marketing and guest engagement strategy. Start by making sure gift cards are featured prominently on your website and booking engine. A homepage banner or pop-up can go a long way toward capturing attention from direct bookers.
Next, tap into email marketing. Include gift card messaging in post-stay emails (using verbiage like “Give someone else the stay you just had!”) and seasonal campaigns.
75% of gift card recipients overspend, increasing hotel revenue
– 2024 Hospitality Solutions Data
Social media is also a high-impact channel for showcasing experience vouchers and gift cards. Use Instagram Stories, pin them to your highlights or create a behind-the-scenes video of the benefits of gift cards.
Don’t forget your frontline team. Train staff to sell gift cards at check-in or checkout, especially during holidays or major events.
Leverage seasonal campaigns
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, summer travel season or a local event, tying gift cards to seasonal moments can drive urgency and relevance. During high-volume periods, consider offering limited-time promotions, such as a $20 bonus card with every $100 purchase.
These time-sensitive campaigns are especially effective when amplified across your gift card solutions, email, and social media channels. And because gift cards often go unredeemed or are redeemed later, they’re an ideal way to boost immediate cash flow while keeping your brand top-of-mind.
Create experienced-based vouchers
A monetary amount is nice, but a curated experience feels personal. One of the biggest shifts in hotel gift card management is the move toward experience-based vouchers. Think: a weekend wellness retreat, a couple’s round of golf, or a “locals-only” staycation package.
These types of gift cards aren’t just more emotionally resonant; they often command a higher price point. They’re also easier to market visually (who doesn’t love a picture of champagne and a city view?) and more likely to be shared socially.
With modern gift card solutions, hotels can create, customize and automate these offerings with just a few clicks!
Make integration effortless and scalable
A great idea can quickly become a headache if it doesn’t play nicely with your tech stack. That’s why choosing a flexible, easy-to-manage solution is essential.
Look for a gift card solution that integrates seamlessly with your PMS and booking engine. This ensures smooth redemption, tracks performance in real time and enables centralized oversight.
At the end of the day, the right hotel gift card solution should offer a branded storefront, effortless global payment handling and transparent pricing that works for properties of all sizes. Bonus points for free onboarding and intuitive user experience…because your team has enough on its plate.
Turn guest gifting into real revenue
Our gift card solution helps you create branded, scalable programs that increase direct revenue, build guest loyalty and simplify operations. With free onboarding, seamless integration and centralized management, our gift card program is built to make selling and redeeming hotel gift cards effortless.
Want to see how it fits into your hotel’s strategy?
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Gift Cards & Vouchers
Our gift card solution is fast to launch, easy to use, and expertly supported—helping you capture revenue year-round. With customizable designs, seamless integration, and real-time tracking, it’s the ultimate tool for boosting sales and guest satisfaction.
