Gift Card Balance
Gift Card Balance refers to the remaining monetary value available on a gift card at any given point in time. When a gift card is first issued, its balance equals the purchased denomination (e.g., $50). As the recipient uses the card for purchases, the balance decreases by the amount applied. If the order total is less than the card balance, the leftover amount remains available for future transactions.
How balance tracking works
Every time a gift card is used at checkout, the system performs a balance check, verifies that the card has sufficient funds, deducts the applied amount, and records the new balance. This transaction is logged so that both the store and the customer can see a history of charges. In WooCommerce, gift card plugins typically store the balance in a dedicated database table or in post meta associated with a custom post type.
Balance check pages
A balance check page allows gift card holders to enter their code and view the current remaining value without initiating a purchase. This is a simple but important UX feature—it reduces support tickets and builds customer confidence. Most gift card plugins provide a shortcode or block for this purpose.
Partial vs. full redemption
- Full redemption: The order total equals or exceeds the card balance. The entire balance is consumed, and the card becomes inactive (zero balance).
- Partial redemption: The order total is less than the card balance. Only the order amount is deducted, and the remaining balance stays on the card for future use.
Best practices
- Always display the remaining balance to the customer after a transaction and in order confirmation emails.
- Maintain an immutable transaction log for each card so balance disputes can be resolved quickly.
- Handle refunds carefully: decide whether refunded amounts are returned to the gift card or to the original payment method.