Types of gift cards

1. Universal gift card:A universal gift card is a type of gift card that can be used in multiple stores and shops globally. Such gift cards might not include all the stores around the world, but they surely include a lot of shops to choose from. These days, you can easily check the universal gift card balance 

Universal gift cards are a type of open loop card. It means that they are not limited to a specific store or shop. Instead, one can buy from different businesses and brands using a universal gift card.

2. Hybrid gift card: A hybrid gift card is a mixture of open loop gift cards and closed loop gift cards. Unlike open-loop gift cards, closed-loop gift cards are limited to one shop or business.

A hybrid gift card is a mixture of both. Hence, a hybrid gift card can be used in multiple stores. But it is limited to a single unit. An example of a hybrid gift card can be a gift card given from a shopping center or shopping mall.

You can use this gift card in any store in that specific shopping mall. But the gift card can only work in stores that are in the shopping mall. Thus, you cannot use that gift card in some other franchise of the same store.

3. Scrip gift cards: Scrip gift cards or certificates function slightly differently than regular gift cards. Unlike other gift cards, scrip gift certificates are not sold in the form of plastic cards. Instead, these are sold as paper documents. 

Thus, scrip gift cards are signed documents usually given to the customers of a restaurant or hotel. These are signed by the owner or manager of the restaurant or hotel. 

Since these are not plastic cards, no barcode or magnetic strip is attached to scrip gift certificates. Hence, there is no need for electronic authorization in the case of scrip gift cards.

Scrip gift cards may not have an expiry date. Instead, these are given out as one-time use certificates or cards. Hence, the customer can use it only once but there is no time limit on a scrip gift certificate.

4. Charity gift card: A charity gift card is different from other gift cards. A charity gift card is given out to customers who want to donate. Hence, the recipient of a charity gift card cannot use it for themselves. Instead, they can donate this gift card to a charity they choose.

How to check the balance of a universal gift card

A universal gift card balance is the amount of money stored in a universal gift card. It is also the limit of the money you can use through a universal gift card. It means you can only buy things with a universal gift card to a certain limit. Once the universal gift card balance gets over, you will not be able to use it anymore.

Earlier, to check the balance of a universal gift card, one had to go to the store. But nowadays, it is not necessary. These days a lot of websites on the internet offer universal gift cards. 

Hence, you can buy universal gift cards online and check their balance using your phone or laptop.