# How to issue a gift card in Snad

To issue a gift card in Snad, open **Loyalty**, then **Gift cards**, and press **New gift card**. Type the **Card code** and the **Amount**, then press **Create card**. At the sale, type the code in **Gift card code** and press **Use**.

## Before you start

- The [Loyalty](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/loyalty-program) app is on in your business, and the permission to create gift cards for whoever issues them ([roles and permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions)).
- Optional: a customer added in Snad, if you want to reserve the card for them ([how to add a customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer)).

## Steps

1. **Open the gift cards.** In the sidebar, choose **Loyalty**, then **Gift cards**. The page lists your cards, with the **New gift card** button above it. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards#adv-manage)

   ![The Snad gift cards page with the New gift card button above the list](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/nav-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Gift cards** in the sidebar · (2) The **New gift card** button

2. **Type the code and the amount.** Press **New gift card**. Type the **Card code** the customer will enter when paying, and the **Amount**, which is what the card is worth. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards#adv-code)

   ![The new gift card form in Snad with the card code and the amount](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/code-amount-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Card code** field · (2) The **Amount** field

3. **Reserve the card and set its expiry.** Pick a [customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) in **Customer (optional)** to reserve the card for them, or leave it empty for a card anyone can use. In **Expires on**, choose the last day it can be used. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards#adv-bearer)

   ![The optional customer field and the expiry date of the gift card](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/restrict-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Customer (optional)** field · (2) The **Expires on** field

4. **Create the card.** Add a **Note** if you like, then press **Create card**. Snad goes back to the list and the new card appears in it.

   ![The bottom of the gift card form: the note field and the Create card button](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/issue-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Note** field · (2) The **Create card** button

5. **Check the card in the list.** Find the code in the list. It shows the balance **Remaining** from the original amount, and the card's status **On** so it can be used. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards#adv-manage)

   ![The gift cards list with the new card, its balance and its status](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/list-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The **Remaining** column · (2) The status **On**

6. **Take the card off an invoice.** On a [sales invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-sales-invoice), press **Use loyalty balance**, type the code in **Gift card code**, then press **Use**. The amount comes off the invoice and the card's remainder is shown. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards#adv-accounting)

   ![The Use loyalty balance dialog on an invoice with the gift card applied](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/gift-cards/redeem-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The applied card and what is **Left after this**

## Messages that block saving

| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A gift card with this code already exists. | The card code belongs to another card; every card has its own code. | Change the **Card code**, then press **Create card** again. |
| Enter a card code of at least 3 characters. | The code is shorter than three characters. | Type a longer code, such as GIFT-500, using letters, digits, - and _ only. |
| No card with this code. | The code on the invoice is not the one you issued. | Match the code with the **Card code** column in the gift cards list and try again. |
| This card is reserved for another customer. | The card is reserved for one customer, and the invoice is for a different one. | Choose the card's customer on the invoice, or issue a card without a customer. |

## Advanced details

### How do I choose the code and the amount?

The code uses letters, digits, - and _ only, and at least three characters. Pick one that is easy to say, such as GIFT-500, because it is what the customer types when paying.

The **Amount** is what the card is worth, and it cannot be edited after creation. If it is wrong, deactivate or delete the card before it is used and issue another.

### A bearer card or a card for one customer?

If you leave **Customer (optional)** empty the card is a bearer card, shown in the list under its code as **Bearer card**. Any customer who knows the code can use it.

If you pick a customer the card is reserved for them, and Snad refuses it on another customer's invoice. If you leave **Expires on** empty, the card never expires.

### Deactivate or delete a card

The **Deactivate** button on the card's row stops it being used and its status becomes **Off**; **Activate** brings it back. This needs the update permission.

The **Delete** button asks for confirmation and only removes a card that has never been spent. Once it was used on an invoice, deactivate it instead.

### Does a gift card post an accounting entry?

No. The screen itself states that creating a card posts nothing, and that when used it is applied as a [pre-tax](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/tax-settings) discount on the invoice.

So this does not record what you received from the customer for the card. Record that the way you usually do, for example with a [receipt voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-receipt-voucher).

The same field appears on the payment screen of the point of sale ([sell at the point of sale](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/sell-at-pos)).

## Common questions

### How do I issue a gift card for a customer?

Open **Loyalty**, then **Gift cards**, and press **New gift card**. Type the code and the amount, pick the customer in **Customer (optional)**, then create it.

### Can I change a card's amount after creating it?

No. The amount cannot be edited after creation. Deactivate or delete the card if it was not used, and issue one with the right amount.

### Can I delete a gift card that was used?

No. Only a card that has never been spent can be deleted. Switch a used one off with the **Deactivate** button.

### Where does the customer enter the gift card code?

On a sales invoice, under **Use loyalty balance**, in **Gift card code**; the same field appears when paying at the point of sale.

### Does a gift card expire?

If you set **Expires on** it ends on that date; otherwise it never expires. An expired card shows in the list as **Expired**.

## Read next

- [Set up a loyalty program](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/loyalty-program) — Set the points and cashback rules in Snad and follow your customers' balances. Six short steps with screenshots, and no Save button.
- [Sell at the point of sale](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/sell-at-pos) — Sell from the Snad POS screen: find the product, set the quantity, pick the customer and payment method, then save the invoice. Five steps.
- [Create a sales invoice](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-sales-invoice) — Create a sales invoice in Snad: pick the customer, add products, choose the payment method and save. Seven short steps with screenshots, plus credit sales.
- [Create a discount coupon](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-coupon) — Create a discount code in Snad: type the code, pick a percentage or fixed amount, set limits and channels, then save. Eight short steps with screenshots.
- [Add a customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) — Add a customer in Snad: name, phone, address, tax details and payment terms, then save. Five short steps with screenshots, plus the Excel import.
- [Create a role and set its permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions) — Create a role in Snad and choose what its holders can see and do in each group, then assign it to users. Six short steps with screenshots.
- [Loyalty and gift card software](https://www.snad.io/en/loyalty) — Points, cashback and gift cards in one place.

[Open this screen in Snad](https://app.snad.io/dashboard/loyalty/gift-cards)

- **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/guide/gift-cards
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-11-05

---
## About the publisher
**Snad (سند)** — a private Saudi software company
based in Madinah, founded 2025. Legal form: Sole proprietorship.
Commercial registration: 7038154642
VAT number: 310959226500003
Only official domain: snad.io
> Snad is a private commercial business-management platform. It is not a
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