Gift card
Configure a Gift card pass template for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Show stored value, support barcode/NFC redemption, and keep balance up to date.
Whether you are a new client creating the template for the gift cards that will be distributed to customers, or already familiar with The Wallet Crew and updating an existing template, this article is a guided tour of the template designer. The goal is to configure a gift card template that reflects the brand identity, displays the right information to customers, and ensures a seamless experience across Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Use a Gift card pass when the pass represents stored value. This template is designed for balance display and balance updates.
Typical patterns:
Initial balance at issuance
Partial redemptions that decrease the balance
Top-ups and refunds that update the same pass
If the pass is a discount coupon (not stored value), use Offer instead.
Architecture
Apple and Google have their own gift card pass templates as you can see below.
Apple:
Google:
How to configure it on The Wallet Crew
The Wallet Crew provides a template designer that is used to personalize the gift cards distributed to customers. Let’s see in detail how to personalize each section.
Apple
Let’s take a look at the different sections of the Apple template designer.
General section
The general section has two mandatory fields:
Description: a brief description of the gift card, that will appear on the back of the card
Organization name: the name of the company or brand issuing the pass
It is also possible to put a text next to the logo, activate the sharing of the gift card so that customers can pass it on to other people, the “void feature” for the coupons, and a relevant and expiration date that are used for event tickets.
The section also defines the distance from a relevant latitude and longitude at which the pass is relevant, for geofencing notifications.
Barcode
Choose the type of barcode that is compatible with the point-of-sale software. The barcode value corresponds to the identifiers that allow the card to be identified by the terminal in the store. Finally, the alternate text can be used to display the barcode data in case the barcode cannot be scanned.
Colors & Images
To change the background color of the card, simply add the color code in the fields provided for this purpose. To add an image, upload it from the device in use.
Header Fields
This section is particularly important in the Apple version, as the cards are stacked on top of each other. Only the header of the card remains visible. Therefore, it is important that this section catches the eye and encourages clicking on the card, especially by displaying the most important information such as the amount available.
Front fields
The front fields are the fields that are used to display information in the recto of the card, under the strip image. The label is the same for every user (per language), but the value can be customized to display, for example, the expiry date of the card.
Backfields
This section, located on the back of the gift card, includes several useful pieces of information for the customer:
The expiry date of the gift card
The amount
Receipts
Personalized messages
Links, such as the terms and conditions, etc.
Other sections
On Apple, there are four other sections:
Locations: Used for geofencing notifications.
Beacons: Also used for geofencing notifications.
Associated store identifier: Used to link an application published on the Apple Store
NFC: A feature that allows customers to exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.
The Google template designer is a bit different than the Apple one.
Some fields such as issuer and program name are mandatory
Google preconfigures fields based on their intended values, so keep the balance in the dedicated balance/value fields
Dynamic values (e.g., {{balance}}) should be placed in dedicated dynamic fields. ‘Label’ fields are intended for static text only.
Let’s take a look at the different sections.
General section
The general section has three mandatory fields:
Issuer: the name of the brand or company that issues the pass
Program name: it appears on the front of the pass, and is typically the name of the gift card programme
Card number: the number of the gift card
Barcode
Choose the type of barcode that is compatible with the point-of-sale software. The barcode value corresponds to the identifiers that allow the card to be identified by the terminal in the store. Finally, the alternate text can be used to display the barcode data in case the barcode cannot be scanned.
Security
Configuring a template means deciding whether the customer can share their pass or not. Google offers three options:
Multiple holders: it means that the customer can share their pass with anyone
One user all device: a customer but with several devices (a watch for example)
One user one device
Colors & Images
To change the background color of the card, simply add the color code in the fields provided for this purpose. To add an image, upload it from the device in use.
Balance and Pin
This section takes the dynamic value for the amount of the gift card and the currency, as they are mandatory fields. A Pin label and Pin can also be configured if needed.
Additional links, Smart tap and Valid Time Interval
Additional links can be added to the customer's gift card, for example a website link.
The Smart tap feature can also be configured, so that customers simply validate their gift card by tapping their device on a compatible terminal.
Finally, the Valid time interval section defines when a gift card can be used.
Messages
This section, located on the back of the gift card, includes several useful pieces of information for the customer:
The expiry date of the gift card
The amount
Receipts
Personalized messages
Links, such as the terms and conditions, etc.
Value added opportunities
This section adds a small section at the bottom of the gift card. This is used to display offers, or news.
Other sections
On Google, there are three other sections:
App links: Used to add a link for an application
Homepage: Used to add the link of the event website
Locations: Used for geofencing notifications
Next steps
For design guidelines, start with Card design.
To distribute the pass, use Add to Wallet on a website.