These instructions only apply to the new Lightspeed gift card version. If you are using the old gift card version and want to switch, follow the instructions in our Setting up gift cards 2.0 article.

You can sell online gift cards at your POS, which means you can issue gift cards in-store even if you don't have physical ones. Once you've configured your gift card settings in your K-Series Back Office, you're ready to sell a gift card at your POS. Lightspeed will automatically create a gift card button and payment type on your register without additional setup.

Selling an online gift card at the POS

If you don't have physical gift cards, you can generate an online gift card at your POS and email it to your customer. 

1. Sign in to your POS.
2. Start a new order. A gift card cannot be added to an existing order. If a customer has an open check and also wants to buy a gift card, you need to close out their check first, then ring up the gift card on a separate transaction.
3. Tap the gift card icon in the upper-right corner and then tap Generate online gift card.
4. Enter the gift card value and tap Link customer.
5. Search for the customer using their first name, last name, or email address.
   Important: To receive an online gift card, your customer must have an email address assigned to their customer profile.
6. Tap Go to payments and select a payment method. 
7. Tap Transfer.

Your POS will generate the gift card and send two emails to your customer. The first email contains the gift card code, amount, purchase date, and the customer's name and email address. The second email contains the QR code for the gift card, which you can scan at your POS.

To learn more about creating a gift card batch and printing gift cards, view our Printing gift cards 2.0 article.

Activating a gift card

A deactivated gift card cannot be redeemed or refilled. You can, however, activate a new gift card and add value to it at your POS.

1. Sign in to your POS and start a new order or select an existing order with unpaid items.
2. On the Register screen, tap the gift card icon in the upper-right corner and then tap Activate gift card.
3. Scan the gift card QR code. If your customer has an online gift card, they can access the QR code via their email on their mobile device.
4. Enter the gift card value and tap Go to payments.
5. Select a payment method and tap Transfer.

Redeeming a gift card

1. Sign in to your POS and start a new order or select an existing order with unpaid items.
2. On the Register screen, tap the scanner icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Align the QR code on the gift card with the rear-facing camera on the POS device so it appears in the blue box on the screen.
4. Wait for confirmation that the order has been paid.

Checking a gift card balance

Important: Do not have unpaid items on the Register screen when checking a gift card balance. Having items on the Register screen will bill the order to the gift card.

1. On the Register screen in the Lightspeed Restaurant app, tap the scanner icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Align the QR code on the gift card with the rear-facing camera on the POS device so it appears in the blue box on the screen.
3. Wait for the gift card balance information to appear on the screen. This information will include the customer name, the card number, and the card's current balance.

Refilling a gift card 

Important: Do not have unpaid items on the Register screen when refilling a gift card. Having items on the Register screen will bill the order to the gift card.

1. On the Register screen in the Lightspeed Restaurant app, tap the scanner icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Align the QR code on the gift card with the rear-facing camera on the POS device so it appears in the blue box on the screen.
3. Tap Refill and enter the amount you wish to add to the gift card. The gift card's total balance cannot exceed the maximum balance amount set in your Back Office.
4. Tap Next step and choose a payment method.
5. Tap Transfer.

What's next?

Managing gift cards 2.0 in Back Office
Gift cards 2.0 FAQ