GiftYa is a new app available on both iOS and Android. It is in the beta phase and I have a chance to check out what it is offering. Basically, GiftYa is an app that allows users to send personalized e-gifts to friends and family instantly.
Using the GiftYa app is pretty straightforward. You can open the app and choose among over a million merchants in a wide range of categories like restaurants, shopping, hotels, personal services, attractions, etc. The next step is to choose the amount of the gift, choose a recipient, select a payment method, and place the order. Besides, we also have options to add a personalized design using our own pictures and pick a delivery date.
Notice that this is not a gift card directly from the merchant. To redeem the e-gift, the recipient will need to click on the link in the text to download the GiftYa app and then set up his/her own account with a linked debit/credit card. Then, when he/she goes shopping at the merchant, he/she will need to use that registered card to check out. After you spend the full amount, GiftYa will credit the full amount to the debit card.
This is obviously more complicated than buying a gift card directly from a merchant, however, it is much more convenient since the huge collection of local and national merchants are put into one app. You can buy and send the e-gift instantly without searching for their official website or resellers to buy their gift cards.
At this time, GiftYa is running a special promotion to recruit promotion. You can claim a free $5 GiftYa from some featured merchants. All you need to do is going to this webpage, follow the steps to download the app and set up your account, then you will be able to use the gift at the selected merchant.
