‘Around the world in eighty ways’

One of the best ways to maximise the return on your gift card programme is, bizarrely, to not think of it as just a 'gift' card programme. Ask yourself how else your prepaid card's functionality could be used. 

 

Over the last week or two I’ve come across a few articles on the web that epitomise the 'think differently' mantra. How about the gift of health? Or a prepaid taxi card for students that costs the same no matter how far they travel?

 

In Deccan, India, it would not be absurd to hear “Happy Father’s Day Dad, I got you a cardiac screening” since the Vikram General hospital has launched a gift card programme called ‘Gift Health 108’. They offer 108 different cards broadly classified under five categories: standard profile; age; ailment; organ and convenience. 

 

The cards are available at some of the leading book stores, greeting cards outlets and plans are afoot to set up kiosks in some of Deccan’s malls too.  

 

In San Diego, California, an initiative has been launched to get students home safe from the city’s bars. The “RADD/My Safe Ride Home” cards are priced at $30 and are renewable, according to promoters. The $30 is a flat average fee for one taxi ride home, with taxi drivers collecting the full $30 whether it is a $10 fare or a $60 one. The cards are available online or at the more than 70 bars and restaurants that have already signed up to the scheme in an effort to get their clientele home safely. 

 

OK so that’s not quite 80 ways, but these two novel examples illustrate how there are many ideas of different uses for your gift card programme just a click away!