Complimentary gift cards that bring customers back
Send a free gift card to customers who already know and like you. Thank your regulars, win back quiet customers and get their next purchase. It costs nothing to send, and you only pay when a gift card is used.
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One email when complimentary gift cards launch. No spam.
What is Cardivo?
Cardivo is a simple gift card program for small businesses. Your customers buy beautiful branded digital gift cards for friends and family, and recipients redeem them in person or at your online checkout. There's no monthly fee, just a small fee per sale.
Complimentary gift cards are the other side of that. Instead of a customer buying a gift card, you send one to a customer. No payment or purchase needed.
Why send complimentary gift cards?
Getting repeat customers is cheaper than finding new ones. A gift card with their name on it gives them a reason to come back now.
Nothing upfront, 5% when it's used
Sending is free and there's no monthly fee. You only pay Cardivo's 5% fee on the value your customer redeems. If a gift card is never used, it costs you nothing.
Win back quiet customers
Someone who hasn't visited in a while is far easier to bring back than a stranger. A gift card in their inbox is a friendly nudge.
Thank your regulars
Show loyal customers you notice them with a personal note and a gift card from your business, not a generic coupon code.
Get the next sale, and more
Customers often spend more than the gift card is worth, so a gift card can turn into a bigger order.
See what each gift card brings in
Track how many gift cards you've sent, how many turned into a sale and how much revenue they brought in.
Respectful by design
Every email has a one-click unsubscribe link, and Cardivo won't send to anyone who has opted out.
Customer appreciation ideas that pay for themselves
A few times a complimentary gift card works especially well.
After a purchase
Send a small gift card after every purchase so customers have a reason to come back for the next one.
When someone goes quiet
Haven't seen someone in three months? Send a gift card with a short "we miss you" note.
Birthdays and milestones
Schedule a gift card to arrive on a customer's birthday or the anniversary of their first visit.
To say sorry
Something went wrong? A gift card says sorry and gives them a reason to try you again.
For reviews and referrals
Thank customers who leave a review or send a friend your way.
For your best customers
Reward your top spenders before a busy season, so they come to you first.
How complimentary gift cards will work
Turn it on
Switch on complimentary gift cards in Settings > Integrations and save a payment card. You aren't charged anything yet.
Choose your customer
Click Send a complimentary gift card, then add their name and email, the amount and an optional personal note.
Send now or schedule
Preview it, then send it now or pick a date. You can add an expiry in days to encourage them to use it sooner.
Gift card sent by email
Your customer gets a gift card from your business by email and redeems it like any Cardivo gift card. Any balance stays on it for next time.
Want to send them automatically? Use Zapier, Paythen or the Cardivo API.
What a $100 complimentary gift card costs you
There's nothing to pay when you send it. Cardivo only charges its 5% fee when your customer redeems the gift card, on the value they use.
No upfront cost and no monthly fee.
If your customer never uses it, you never pay.
5% of the $100 your customer uses, charged to your payment card on file.
The most you'll ever pay on a $100 complimentary gift card
$5If your customer only uses part of the gift card, you pay 5% of what they use. Complimentary gift cards are for sending to individual customers, not for bulk marketing.
Complimentary gift card FAQs
What is a complimentary gift card?
A complimentary gift card is a free gift card a business sends to a customer, usually to say thanks or to encourage another visit. The customer doesn't pay for it. With Cardivo, it arrives by email from your business and can be spent with you like any other gift card.
How do I get repeat customers with gift cards?
Send a complimentary gift card at the moments that matter: after a purchase, when a customer hasn't been back in a while, or on their birthday. A gift card with their name on it gives them a reason to return, and many customers spend more than the gift card is worth.
Do I pay anything when I send a complimentary gift card?
No. Sending is free. You only pay Cardivo's 5% fee on the value your customer redeems, charged to your payment card on file. If they use a $100 gift card, you pay $5. If they never use it, you pay nothing.
Can I set an expiry date?
Yes. A shorter expiry encourages customers to come back sooner.
Can customers use part of the gift card?
Yes. If they spend less than the full amount, the rest stays on the gift card for their next visit.
What if a customer doesn't want complimentary gift cards?
Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link. Once someone unsubscribes, Cardivo won't let any business send them complimentary gift cards. Gift cards they already have keep working.
Can I send complimentary gift cards automatically?
Yes. As well as sending them from your Cardivo dashboard, you can send them automatically through Zapier, Paythen or the Cardivo API.
When will complimentary gift cards be available?
Complimentary gift cards are coming November 2026. Add your email at the top of this page and we'll let you know as soon as they're live.
Be first to send complimentary gift cards
Complimentary gift cards are coming November 2026. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know the moment you can send your first one.
Join the waitlistWant to start now? Try Cardivo free with gift cards your customers buy →
Gift card holders will still be able to access and click through to the “Check balance” link when the sales page is inactive. When you toggle it back on, your sales page will immediately start working again. This toggle has no impact on existing gift cards and their redemptions and those will continue to work. It just prevents new gift cards from being purchased.
