Blog Image - General Purpose vs Loyalty Prepaid Cards

General Purpose vs Loyalty Prepaid Cards

General Purpose vs Loyalty Prepaid Cards

Choosing Between General Purpose and Loyalty Prepaid Cards

Incentive programs are a powerful tool for businesses to motivate and retain customers, and prepaid reward cards can be a great way to provide rewards to participants. However, not all prepaid reward cards are created equal, and it’s important to understand the differences between general purpose and loyalty prepaid reward cards in order to choose the right type of card for your program.

General-purpose prepaid reward cards, also known as open-loop cards, can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards. They function like traditional credit or debit cards, and can be used to purchase a wide variety of goods and services. These cards are often branded with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express and can be used at any merchant that accepts those networks.

Loyalty prepaid reward cards, also known as closed-loop cards, can only be used at specific merchants or within a specific network of merchants. These cards are usually branded with the name of the merchant or network and can only be used to make purchases at those locations. For example, a closed-loop card from a specific department store can only be used to make purchases at that store and cannot be used at other retailers.

Strategic Uses in Incentive Programs

When deciding which type of card to use for an incentive program, it’s important to consider the goals of the program and the target audience. General purpose cards offer more flexibility for participants, as they can be used to purchase a wide range of goods and services. This can make them more attractive to participants, as they can use the card to buy whatever they want. However, these cards may not be as effective at driving specific behaviors, as participants can use them to make purchases at any merchant.


On the other hand, loyalty cards are more effective at driving specific behaviors, as they can only be used at specific merchants or within specific networks. This can be useful for businesses that want to encourage customers to make purchases at their store or within their network. Additionally, these cards can also be used to build brand loyalty, as customers will associate the card with the specific merchant or network. However, these cards may not be as attractive to participants, as they may not be able to use them to purchase what they want.

In conclusion, businesses should use general-purpose prepaid reward cards when they want to provide participants with more flexibility and a wide range of options to choose from. On the other hand, loyalty prepaid reward cards should be used when they want to drive specific behaviors and build brand loyalty. Ultimately, the choice between the two types of cards should be based on the goals of the program and the target audience.

All Digital Rewards is a premier provider of incentives known for its exceptional skills in creating and executing employee and loyalty programs. Equipped with a state-of-the-art platform that can handle any complexity and a team dedicated to providing support and resolving any challenges, All Digital Rewards is the ideal choice for businesses seeking to implement or enhance their incentive programs. Start your journey with All Digital Rewards by clicking here or reaching out to us at 1 866-415-7703.

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