Can businesses send gift cards to multiple recipients at once?

Quick Answer: Yes, businesses can send gift cards to multiple recipients at once through three methods: retailer websites (up to 30 recipients), bulk gift card platforms like Tremendous (unlimited recipients), or prepaid card bulk purchases. Most businesses choose platforms for scale, automation, and international capabilities.

Shop directly from retailers

Buying from retailer websites works for small, simple sends, since many have caps depending on their own guidelines. You'll manually enter each recipient's email — no bulk uploads, no redemption tracking, just basic delivery confirmation. This works for occasional team gifts under 30 people, but you'll quickly outgrow it. Different retailers need separate transactions, and there's no SMS delivery or scheduling options.

Use a third-party bulk gift card platform

Specialized platforms handle the heavy lifting of bulk sending. While options like Giftogram, BHN Rewards (formerly Rybbon), and Snappy exist, Tremendous stands out by offering free sending (no platform fees), 2,000+ reward options globally, and built-in fraud protection. You can upload recipient lists via CSV, connect through API for automation, or generate unique reward links. Plus, recipients choose their preferred reward from your curated catalog.

Buy reloadable prepaid cards in bulk

Some businesses buy Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards in bulk from Blackhawk Network or InComm. You could be paying $3-7 activation fees per card plus shipping. While you'll have cards on hand for events, you're responsible for distribution, tracking, and lost card replacement.

What's the cheapest way to send bulk gift cards?

Tremendous offers the most cost-effective solution for bulk sending since there are zero platform fees — you pay only the card value. Retailer websites also charge just the card value but can limit you to 30 recipients per transaction. Prepaid cards become the most expensive option once you factor in activation fees, shipping, and potential maintenance charges.

How to choose the best bulk gift card method

Quick decision guide:

• Sending to fewer than 30 people once? → Use retailer websites

• Sending to 30+ people or monthly/quarterly? → Use a platform like Tremendous

• Need physical cards for events? → Buy bulk prepaid cards

• Sending internationally? → Platform required

• Need automation or API? → Platform required

Before choosing your approach, check these factors to avoid headaches later:

Maximum recipients per order. Retailer sites often limit you to 30 cards per transaction. If you're sending to 500 employees quarterly, you'll want a platform that handles bulk uploads without restrictions.

Per-card amounts and fees. Watch for activation fees ($3-7 per card adds up fast) and minimum amounts. Some prepaid cards require $25 minimums, while platforms like Tremendous let you send as little as $5.

Delivery and personalization options. Need to add personal messages or schedule delivery for a specific date? Most retailer sites don't offer this. Platforms provide email, SMS, printable PDFs, and let you include custom messages with each reward.

Reporting capabilities. Sending to 50+ people? You'll want CSV upload functionality and detailed reporting on who's claimed their rewards. Manual retailer purchases mean tracking everything yourself in spreadsheets.

How to use Tremendous for bulk gift card sending

Tremendous offers three ways to send rewards at scale, each fitting different business needs:

CSV upload (one-time campaigns): Format your spreadsheet with columns like "email,name,amount,message" and upload it directly. This only takes a few minutes and is perfect for holiday gifts or employee milestones. 

API integration (automation): Seamlessly connect to your CRM or HR system to trigger rewards based on specific actions. Ideal for referral programs, sales incentives, or customer loyalty rewards that need to send automatically.

Unique reward links (flexible distribution): Generate links to distribute through your own channels — whether that's Slack, your company newsletter, or printed cards. Recipients click the link to choose their reward with no email collection needed.

Can you send gift cards internationally in bulk?

Going global gets complicated fast when buying direct from retailers. Different countries have different gift card options, and you'll juggle multiple currencies and regional restrictions.

Platforms simplify international sending by handling the complexity for you. Tremendous automatically shows recipients rewards available in their country and preferred currency. Your UK employees see Tesco and John Lewis options in GBP, while US team members see Amazon and Target in USD.

According to IRF's 2024 Trends Report, gift card spending in reward programs will increase 42% in North America and 37% in Europe this year. As programs scale globally, having the right infrastructure matters more than ever.

Conclusion

Sending gift cards to multiple recipients doesn't have to be painful. For small, one-off sends to under 30 people, buying direct from retailers works. But as your program grows — whether that's more recipients, international team members, or regular sending cadences — a dedicated platform saves time and reduces errors.

The right solution depends on your specific needs: recipient volume, delivery requirements, and whether you need features like automated sending or international support. For most businesses evaluating bulk gift card solutions, platforms like Tremendous offer the best combination of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.

Ready to streamline your bulk gift card sending? Book a demo — it's free to use, with no subscription fees or minimums.