OptionsCard

OptionsCard, Irish multi-brand digital gift card

OptionsCard is a multi-choice digital gift card operated by Ovation Incentives Ireland Limited, based in Cork. The company presents itself as a fee-free alternative to traditional multi-store gift cards: the sender decides the amount and the recipient then chooses from over 70 Irish brands in retail, e-commerce and experiences.

The card is delivered by email or SMS, either instantly or on a date chosen by the sender, and can be personalised with messages and videos at no extra cost. No registration or app download is required: the balance can be checked online and saved to the device's mobile wallet.

How it works and how the recipient uses it

The recipient accesses the catalogue from the link received by email or in the mobile wallet, selects the gift cards from the brands they prefer and receives them in their inbox within seconds. The balance can be split across several brands, combining immediate purchases with later ones, and any unused portion remains available on the card.

The company states that the validity period is five years, the longest on the Irish market according to its own presentation, and that no purchase, issuance, activation or re-issue fees apply. No balance is deducted for inactivity either.

Re-gifting and splitting the balance

OptionsCard allows the amount to be divided among several brands and all or part of the balance to be re-gifted to someone else with a personalised message and video. The company gives the example of a €300 card that can be split into €100 purchases at different retailers, keeping the rest for later. According to the company, this re-gifting feature is only available on its card.

Corporate use and tax exemption

The card is also aimed at employee rewards and benefits. The company notes that businesses can buy up to €25,000 in OptionsCards online by paying via invoice, and that larger or corporate orders are handled by phone or through the sales team. It mentions the Small Benefit Exemption, which allows staff to be rewarded with up to €1,500 tax-free.

Origin and security

OptionsCard was created by Jonathan Grey, founder and owner of Ovation Incentives, a company that has been working with clients since 2001. After returning to Ireland following several years abroad, Grey identified the opportunity to improve the gifting experience in the Irish market by applying his company's technology and processes. The card is owned by Ovation Incentives Ireland Limited and operates from Cork.

The company holds ISO 27001:2022 certification and states that it follows standard security and privacy practices in data processing.

Comparison with multi-store cards

In its comparison with other multi-store cards, OptionsCard highlights that buying and sending are free, compared with costs of up to €3.95 on other products; that it applies no hidden fees or monthly inactivity charges of up to €1.45; that it allows part or all of the balance to be re-gifted; that it integrates with Apple and Google mobile wallets, while others are often physical or app-dependent; and that online spending has no restrictions, compared with the usual €50 limits on other cards.

Customer service

The company offers support for existing orders and redemptions via tickets, with an estimated response time of two business hours, and allows unused brand gift cards to be re-issued by entering the OptionsCard code. It also publishes video guides and help tutorials.

Offices and locations

Dublin office: Phone: +353 1 5759732

Cork office: Spaces #452, Waterfront Square, 1 Horgan's Quay, Cork, T23 PPT8, Ireland