There’s more to the gift card rules compliance puzzle than adjusting your program’s fee structure and approach to expiration dates. Merchants and restaurateurs alike must also ensure that dormancy fees and other service charges associated with gift cards policies are fully disclosed to consumers. And that’s not all: disclosures must be shared with consumers before, not after, they pay for a gift card. Your disclosures must also specify the exact amount of each additional fee to be charged in conjunction with a gift card, and how frequently it will be subtracted from the balance (for example, a $3 dormancy fee every two months).

Keep in mind, too, that fee disclosures must be made whether a gift card is purchased in your store or restaurant, online or by telephone. Including full dormancy fee disclosures on gift card packaging is a “must” in all three channels, but use signage and reminders from employees to emphasize the message in-store and online or verbal reiterations when selling gift cards in cyberspace and via telephone order, respectively. Need help implementing a gift card program? Contact pcAmerica to learn about how gift cards can help grow sales for your business.